1. Will we survive the 21 st century? Graham Spencers Score in Comprehension Answer key

2. Para 1: Question 1 The aeroplane and the motor vehicle have also left their indelible stamp on the century. (lines 5-6) The aeroplane and the motor vehicle have also left their indelible stamp on the century. (lines 5-6) What does the use of the phrase indelible stamp suggest about the effects of the motor vehicle and aeroplane?[1] What does the use of the phrase indelible stamp suggest about the effects of the motor vehicle and aeroplane?[1]

3. Answer 1 Their effect is permanent. Their effect is permanent.

4. Question 2 The writer claims that human relationships have also undergone drastic change (line 6) in the twentieth century. The writer claims that human relationships have also undergone drastic change (line 6) in the twentieth century. What are two consequences of these drastic changes?[2] What are two consequences of these drastic changes?[2]

5. Answer 2 Things that were once regarded as factual are no longer so regarded. New opportunities have emerged. Things that were once regarded as factual are no longer so regarded. New opportunities have emerged.

6. Para 2: Question 3 There are voices which we would prefer not to hear, but they nevertheless insistent… (line 12) There are voices which we would prefer not to hear, but they nevertheless insistent… (line 12) Why would we prefer not to hear these voices?[2] Why would we prefer not to hear these voices?[2]

7. Answer 3 Because we are in the midst of a celebration, and these voices bring messages of doom. Because we are in the midst of a celebration, and these voices bring messages of doom.

8. Para 3: Question 4 Neither of these events in themselves call for celebration, … (line 18) Neither of these events in themselves call for celebration, … (line 18) Explain the use of in themselves here. [1] Explain the use of in themselves here. [1]

9. Answer 4 There is nothing special about either. There is nothing special about either.

10. Para 4: Question 5 Explain in your own words what the writer means by a point of no return. [1] Explain in your own words what the writer means by a point of no return. [1]

11. Answer 5 Its impossible to undo the damage which has been done. Its impossible to undo the damage which has been done.

12. Para 5: Question 6 In itself, species loss may not pose a threat to the survival of humans. (lines 32-33) In itself, species loss may not pose a threat to the survival of humans. (lines 32-33) If species loss poses no threat to human survival, why does the writer raise the matter?[2] If species loss poses no threat to human survival, why does the writer raise the matter?[2]

13. Answer 6 As an example of what could happen to humans. As an example of what could happen to humans.

14. Question 7 The domestication and farming of selected animals (notably cattle and sheep) has led to an enormous increase in their numbers. (lines 34-35) The domestication and farming of selected animals (notably cattle and sheep) has led to an enormous increase in their numbers. (lines 34-35) Explain the paradox to which this increase in numbers has led. [2] Explain the paradox to which this increase in numbers has led. [2]

15. Answer 7 An increase in numbers, which should guarantee the survival of the species, actually increases the threat of extinction. An increase in numbers, which should guarantee the survival of the species, actually increases the threat of extinction.

16. Para 6: Question 8 What are the two main threats identified to the survival of humans on the planet? [2] What are the two main threats identified to the survival of humans on the planet? [2]

17. Answer 8 The greenhouse effect and depletion of the ozone layer. The greenhouse effect and depletion of the ozone layer.

18. Para 7: Question 9 The question of whether these legacies of the fabulous twentieth century can be reversed is a legitimate one. (lines 50- 51) The question of whether these legacies of the fabulous twentieth century can be reversed is a legitimate one. (lines 50- 51) Why does the use of the word fabulous appear to be out of place here? [1] Why does the use of the word fabulous appear to be out of place here? [1]

19. Answer 9 Most of the information dispels the idea that the twentieth century was fabulous. Most of the information dispels the idea that the twentieth century was fabulous.

20. Question 10 But nature has no special mandate to preserve human life, … (line 54) But nature has no special mandate to preserve human life, … (line 54) Explain what the writer means by this comment.[2] Explain what the writer means by this comment.[2]

21. Answer 10 Human survival is irrelevant to the forces of nature. Human survival is irrelevant to the forces of nature.

22. Para 8: Question 11 The prospect of humanity choking to death on its own debris is a simplistic one. (line 62) The prospect of humanity choking to death on its own debris is a simplistic one. (line 62) Why is this seen as a simplistic idea?[1] Why is this seen as a simplistic idea?[1]

23. Answer 11 It fails to take account of human efforts to repair the environment. It fails to take account of human efforts to repair the environment.

24. Para 9: Question 12 The term seems inevitable contains a contradiction. Explain this.[2] The term seems inevitable contains a contradiction. Explain this.[2]

25. Answer 12 If something is inevitable, it must happen. So seems is an inappropriate word here. If something is inevitable, it must happen. So seems is an inappropriate word here.

26. Para 10: Question 13 Why does the writer claim that degradation of the environment will not be the real cause of human extinction? (line 83)[1] Why does the writer claim that degradation of the environment will not be the real cause of human extinction? (line 83)[1]

27. Answer 13 Because the real cause will be our failure to do anything about it. Because the real cause will be our failure to do anything about it.

28. 14- Vocabulary For any 5 words, give one word or short phrase (not more than 7 words) which has the same meaning that the word has in the passage. For any 5 words, give one word or short phrase (not more than 7 words) which has the same meaning that the word has in the passage.

29. Answer 14 1.Weighed (line 1): considered, compared 2.Implore (line 13): beg, plead 3.Proceed (line 23): continue 4.Staggering (line 30): extreme, surprising 5.Depletion (line 44): lessening, reduction 6.Legacies (line 50): consequences, outcomes 7.Affluent (line 76): wealthy 8.Merely (line 84): only

30. 15- Summary Using info provided in the passage, summarize the effects of environmental degradation on the earth, the attempts so far to improve the situation and what needs to be done to overcome the problem. Using info provided in the passage, summarize the effects of environmental degradation on the earth, the attempts so far to improve the situation and what needs to be done to overcome the problem. Use only material from paragraphs 5 to 10. Use only material from paragraphs 5 to 10. Continuous writing, 160 words (including 7 given- must begin with them) Continuous writing, 160 words (including 7 given- must begin with them)

31. Answer 15 One effect of environmental degradation has been a deterioration of the earths atmosphere. There is a hole in the ozone layer allowing increased human exposure to ultra violet light. Because of this, there is an increased risk of skin cancer. There has also been an increase in global temperatures and erratic weather patterns, commonly described as the greenhouse effect. The cumulative effect of this has put the survival of the human race at risk. Many species have already died out as habitats have been destroyed by human intervention. Attempts to remedy the situation include agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, elimination of lead in petrol and the preservation of rain forest and wilderness areas. However, the problems of environmental degradation will not be solved unless they are tackled with a greater sense of urgency by all nations who fully understand that the future of humanity depends upon their united efforts. (150 words) One effect of environmental degradation has been a deterioration of the earths atmosphere. There is a hole in the ozone layer allowing increased human exposure to ultra violet light. Because of this, there is an increased risk of skin cancer. There has also been an increase in global temperatures and erratic weather patterns, commonly described as the greenhouse effect. The cumulative effect of this has put the survival of the human race at risk. Many species have already died out as habitats have been destroyed by human intervention. Attempts to remedy the situation include agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, elimination of lead in petrol and the preservation of rain forest and wilderness areas. However, the problems of environmental degradation will not be solved unless they are tackled with a greater sense of urgency by all nations who fully understand that the future of humanity depends upon their united efforts. (150 words)