SAT Reading Comprehension Quiz IV

1. What is the "choice" that is "in our hands?" (line 18)

To begin the process of warming the Earth

To take action on the issue of global warming

To correct the flaws of the global warming model

To explain global warming in layman's terms

To bring about more rapid global warming

The author is clearly against global warming, so he wants to take action. The answer is B.

Explanation

The author is clearly against global warming, so he wants to take action. The answer is B.

2. On line 1, who does "We" refer to?

The class of people the author represents

Human civilization as a whole

The military

Individuals in poverty

Middle-class Americans

Because the author speaks on behalf of "humans," he is obviously speaking about the entire population of the world as global warming appears to be a global threat.

Explanation

Because the author speaks on behalf of "humans," he is obviously speaking about the entire population of the world as global warming appears to be a global threat.

3. Based on the paragraph beginning on line 1, what is the first passage author's attitude toward global warming?

It is an over-rated danger

It can only happen once

There are many explanations for the occurence

It should be taken seriously

People should not give it more consideration

By deeming global warming an imminent threat, the author basically advocates for people to take global warming more seriously.

Explanation

By deeming global warming an imminent threat, the author basically advocates for people to take global warming more seriously.

4. What is the meaning of the word "projected" on line 23?

Invoked

Unlikely

Sure

Predicted

Summated

Because the scientists are projecting the Earth's future state, they are effectively predicting its future.

Explanation

Because the scientists are projecting the Earth's future state, they are effectively predicting its future.

5. What is the purpose of the series of questions on lines 13-18?

To explain the effects of global warming on the Earth

To influence the reader into immediate action on global warming

To downplay the significance of global warming

To remove the reader from the argument

To create a sense of suspense

The author basically asks the reader: "Do you want to wait for disaster, or do you want to take action now?" The answer is B.

Explanation

The author basically asks the reader: "Do you want to wait for disaster, or do you want to take action now?" The answer is B.

6. What is the meaning of the word "settled" on line 17?

Pioneered

Discovered

Implemented

At ease

Upright

Since the author does not want to wait until things are not "settled," he wants to take action while we are still at ease.

Explanation

Since the author does not want to wait until things are not "settled," he wants to take action while we are still at ease.

7. Why, according to the paragraph beginning on line 7, should people be concerned about slight increases in temperature?

Increases will harm tourism activity in cool climates

Animal and plant life will be adversely affected

Natural disasters will likely occur

Solar rays will become more intense

Small increases will lead to larger increases in temperature

The author cites "hurricanes" and "typhoons," so C is the answer.

Explanation

The author cites "hurricanes" and "typhoons," so C is the answer.

8. Which of the following choices best describes the difference between passage one and two?

Passage one is a rejection of global warming theory while passage two accepts global warming

Passage one endorses immediate action on global warming while passage two endorses a slower course of action

Passage one supports the global warming hypothesis while passage two is skeptical of it

Passage one is emotionally-driven while passage two is an expert scientist's opinion

Passage one uses human sources while passage two uses equipment sources

In general, P1 supports global warming; P2 rejects it.

Explanation

In general, P1 supports global warming; P2 rejects it.

9. Why does the author mention the effect of global warming on glaciers on lines 11-13?

To provide additional implications of global warming

To advocate for stronger enforcement of glacial control laws

To provide a rationale for global warming

To explain how global warming takes place

To include a personal example in the argument

The author wants to provide more examples of how global warming will adversely affect the world. The answer is A.

Explanation

The author wants to provide more examples of how global warming will adversely affect the world. The answer is A.

10. What is the meaning of the word "imminent" on line 5?

Daring

Problematic

Outward

Noted

Impending

"imminent threat" means fast-coming or on-coming threat, which is charcterized by E, "impending."

Explanation

"imminent threat" means fast-coming or on-coming threat, which is charcterized by E, "impending."

11. Which phrase characterizes the passage 2 author's attitude towards "the new and the latest scientific reports?" (lines 1-2)

Hopeful admiration

Destitute ambiguity

Mindful skepticism

Reluctant acceptance

Platonic iconicism

Because the author of passage 2 is skeptical of global warming, he tries to downplay its significance. The answer is C.

Explanation

Because the author of passage 2 is skeptical of global warming, he tries to downplay its significance. The answer is C.

12. How would the author of passage two most likely respond to the author of passage one's claims that "temperature increases will cause glaciers to melt, affecting worldwide sea levels?"

There is no concrete evidence to assume that such an event would take place

Worldwide sea levels are not important to human development

Scientists are biased by nature

It is unlikely that glaciers have enough water content to cause sea levels to rise

The focus of passage two is skepticism, so he would want more evidence.

Explanation

The focus of passage two is skepticism, so he would want more evidence.

13. Which of the following is not an example of "the hype?" (line 26)

A journalist's report on the devastating impact of climate change

A scientist's prediction of further dangerous weather patterns as a result of global warming

A politician's appeal to take immediate action on global warming

A commentator's rejection of the global warming hypothesis

A university's publication on the effects of global warming

Only choice D indicates someone who is skeptical or not believing of the global warming theory.

Explanation

Only choice D indicates someone who is skeptical or not believing of the global warming theory.

14. What is the meaning of "yields" on line 16?

Varieties

Circumstances

Implications

Seedlings

Amounts

Since the children will be malnourished, the amount of crops will decrease, meaning that the answer is E.

Explanation

Since the children will be malnourished, the amount of crops will decrease, meaning that the answer is E.

15. What is most likely to be the passage two author's attitude toward global cooling (lines 29-30)?

Apathy

Empathy

Periodicity

Reciprocity

Cynicism

The author appears to be cynical towards the idea of global cooling as he describes it as a short-lived, impending disaster.

Explanation

The author appears to be cynical towards the idea of global cooling as he describes it as a short-lived, impending disaster.

16. Why does the author of passage 2 refer to global warming as a "grave danger?"

To draw attention to its lasting and damaging effects

To satarize the impact and relevance of global warming

To minimize the emotional appeal of his statement

To mislead the reader into belligerence

To dramatize the results of global warming

He refers to the danger of "global warming" in a cynical sense, with words like "one big natural disaster." Therefore, he is skeptical. The answer is C.

Explanation

He refers to the danger of "global warming" in a cynical sense, with words like "one big natural disaster." Therefore, he is skeptical. The answer is C.

17. Which of the following phrases best conveys the meaning of "distant threat" (line 2)?

Unfocused harm

Cautious malevolence

Grave danger

Faraway evildoer

Remote issue

A "distant threat" is far-off and a problem, which E conveys.

Explanation

A "distant threat" is far-off and a problem, which E conveys.