Postagens
❑ PROVA DE LÍNGUA INGLESA: PUC-RIO-2016/2-VESTIBULAR DE INVERNO-19/06/2016.
https://www.puc-rio.br/vestibular/
❑ ESTRUTURA-PROVA:
➭ 10 Multiple Choice Questions / 5 Options Each Question.
➭ Text – | Fossil fuel use must fall twice as fast as thought to contain global warming | www.theguardian.com |
❑ TEXT:
Fossil fuel use must fall twice as fast as thought to contain global warming
Climate scientists have bad news for governments, energy companies, motorists, passengers and citizens everywhere in the world: to contain global warming to the limits agreed by 195 nations in Paris last December, they will have to cut fossil fuel combustion at an even faster rate than anybody had predicted. Joeri Rogelj, research scholar at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria, and European and Canadian colleagues propose in Nature Climate Change that all previous estimates of the quantities of carbon dioxide that can be released into the atmosphere before the thermometer rises to potentially catastrophic levels are too generous. Instead of a range of permissible emissions estimates that ranged up to 2,390 bn tons from 2015 onwards, the very most humans could release would be 1,240 bn tons.
2
In effect, that halves the levels of diesel and petrol available for petrol tanks, coal for power stations, and natural gas for central heating and cooking available to humankind before the global average temperature – already 1°C higher than it was at the start of the Industrial Revolution – reaches the notional 2°C mark long agreed internationally as being the point of no return for the planet.
3
In fact, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change summit in Paris agreed a target “well below” 2°C, in recognition of ominous projections − one of which was that, at such planetary temperatures, sea levels would rise high enough to submerge several small island states.
4
The Nature Climate Change paper is a restatement of a problem that has been clear for decades. Carbon dioxide proportions in the atmosphere are linked to planetary surface temperatures and, as they rise, so does average temperature.
5
The global exploitation, on a massive scale, of fossil fuels drove the expansion of agriculture, the growth of economies, a sevenfold growth in human population, a sea level rise of 14 cm, and a temperature rise of, so far, 1°C. To stop temperatures increasing another 3°C or more and sea levels rising by more than a metre, humans have to reduce fossil fuel emissions. By how much these must be reduced is difficult to calculate.
6
The global carbon budget is really the balance between what animals emit – in this context, the word animals includes humans with cars and aeroplanes and factories – and what plants and algae can absorb. So the calculations are bedevilled by uncertainties about forests, grasslands and oceans.
7
Dr Rogelj says: “In order to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming below 2°C, we can only emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide, ever. That’s our carbon budget.
8
“This has been understood for about a decade, and the physics behind this concept are well understood, but many different factors can lead to carbon budgets that are either slightly smaller or slightly larger. We wanted to understand these differences, and to provide clarity on the issue for policymakers and the public. This study shows that, in some cases, we have been overestimating the budget by 50 to more than 200%. At the high end, this is a difference of more than 1,000 billion tons of carbon dioxide.”
9
The same study takes a closer look at why estimates of the “safe” level of emissions have varied so widely. One complicating factor has been, of course, uncertainty about what humans might do, and another has been about the other more transient greenhouse gases, such as methane and the oxides of nitrogen.
10
Although short-lived and released in smaller quantities, some of these are potentially far more potent than carbon dioxide as an influence on planetary temperatures. But Dr Rogelj and his colleagues found that a significant cause of variation was simply a consequence of the different assumptions and methodologies inherent in such complex calculations.
11
So the researchers have re-examined both the options and the approaches, and have worked out a global figure that, they suggest, could be relevant to “real-world policy”. It takes into account the consequences of all human activity, and it embraces detailed outlines of possible low-carbon choices. It also offers, they say, a 66% chance of staying within the internationally-agreed limit.
12
“We now better understand the carbon budget for keeping global warming below 2°C,” Dr Rogelj says. “This carbon budget is very important to know because it defines how much carbon dioxide we are allowed to release into the atmosphere, ever. We have figured out that this budget is at the low end of what studies indicated before, and if we don’t start reducing our emissions immediately, we will blow it in a few decades.”
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/feb/25/fossil-fuel-use-must-fall-twice-fast-thought-contain-globalwarming
1. Considering the title of the article, one can infer that the current estimative on the use of fossil fuels and its relation to global warming isa) equal to what was thought before.
b) better than what was thought before.
c) worse than what was thought before.
d) not as alarming as what was thought before.
e) twice as optimistic as what was thought before.
R E S P O S T A : C |
a) igual ao que foi pensado antes.
b) melhor do que se pensava antes.
c) pior do que se pensava antes.
d) não tão alarmante quanto se pensava antes.
e) duas vezes mais otimista do que se pensava antes.
2. The author's main purpose in the article is to
a) complain against governments that cannot calculate their carbon budget accurately.
b) alert society in general to the urgent necessity of replacement of all nonrenewable fuels.
c) criticize 195 nations for their catastrophic emissions of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
d) inform governments and society in general about the disastrous implications of global warming to mankind.
e) report on a scientific study that clarifies the concept of carbon budget and its relevance to global warming control.
R E S P O S T A : E |
a) reclamar contra governos que não podem calcular seu orçamento de carbono com precisão.
b) alertar a sociedade em geral para a necessidade urgente de substituição de todos os combustíveis não renováveis.
c) criticar 195 nações por suas emissões catastróficas de dióxido de carbono na atmosfera.
d) informar os governos e a sociedade em geral sobre as implicações desastrosas do aquecimento global para a humanidade.
e) relatar um estudo científico que esclareça o conceito de orçamento de carbono e sua relevância para o controle do aquecimento global.
3. In the excerpt, “they will have to cut fossil fuel combustion at an even faster rate than anybody had predicted.” (line 3), the fragment ‘will have to cut’ indicates
a) obligation
b) uncertainty
c) possibility
d) prohibition
e) permission
R E S P O S T A : A |
4. In the fragment “… the notional 2°C mark long agreed internationally as being the point of no return for the planet.” (line 13), the expression ‘point of no return’ could be substituted by
a) moment of indecision
b) irreversible moment
c) point of departure
d) inspiring moment
e) point of disagreement
R E S P O S T A : B |
5. According to the text, the high use of fossil fuels worldwide has contributed to all the following phenomena EXCEPT the
a) rise in global surface temperatures and sea level.
b) controlled emissions of greenhouse gases.
c) development of world economies.
d) large emission of carbon dioxide.
e) increase of human population.
R E S P O S T A : B |
6. According to the text, the global carbon budget
a) has been underestimated by climate scientists as well as governments.
b) has not been facing dramatic variations in calculations in the last few years.
c) calls for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the next few decades.
d) defines the amount of carbon dioxide we can release into the atmosphere.
e) informs the exact levels of methane and oxides of nitrogen that can be released into the atmosphere.
a) has been underestimated by climate scientists as well as governments.
b) has not been facing dramatic variations in calculations in the last few years.
c) calls for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the next few decades.
d) defines the amount of carbon dioxide we can release into the atmosphere.
e) informs the exact levels of methane and oxides of nitrogen that can be released into the atmosphere.
R E S P O S T A : D |
• De acordo com o texto, o orçamento global de carbono...
• foi subestimado tanto pelos cientistas do clima quanto pelos governos.
b) has not been facing dramatic variations in calculations in the last few years.
• não tem enfrentado variações dramáticas nos cálculos nos últimos anos.
c) calls for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions in the next few decades.
• exige a redução das emissões de dióxido de carbono nas próximas décadas.
d) defines the amount of carbon dioxide we can release into the atmosphere.
d) defines the amount of carbon dioxide we can release into the atmosphere.
• define a quantidade de dióxido de carbono que podemos liberar na atmosfera.
e) informs the exact levels of methane and oxides of nitrogen that can be released into the atmosphere.
e) informs the exact levels of methane and oxides of nitrogen that can be released into the atmosphere.
• informa os níveis exatos de metano e óxidos de nitrogênio que podem ser liberados na atmosfera.
•
8. Based on the meanings expressed in the text, it is correct to affirm that
a) “permissible” (line 7) and tolerable are antonyms.
b) “ominous” (line 15) and encouraging are synonyms.
c) “massive” (line 20) and substantial do not express similar ideas.
d) “bedevilled” (line 26) means the same as tormented.
e) “reasonable” (line 27) does not mean acceptable.
•
9. In terms of reference, it is correct to affirm that
a) “one of which” (line 15) refers to “summit in Paris” (line 14).
b) “these” (line 23) refers to “sea levels” (line 22).
c) “this concept” (line 29) refers to “global warming” (line 27).
d) “some of these” (line 37) refers to “greenhouse gases” (line 36).
e) “it” (line 42) refers to “real-world policy” (line 42).
•
10. Based on the tone of the text, which of the following options best describes the author’s attitude towards fossil fuel use?
a) Ironic
b) Careless
c) Concerned
d) Enthusiastic
e) Inconsiderate
• Com base no tom do texto, qual das opções a seguir melhor descreve a atitude do autor em relação ao uso de combustível fóssil?
7. Check the option in which the word in boldface expresses the same meaning in the fragment as the word or expression in italics.
a) “Instead of a range of permissible emissions estimates that ranged up to 2,390 bn tons from 2015 onwards,” (lines 7-8) – Because of
b) “In effect, that halves the levels of diesel and petrol available for petrol tanks, coal for power stations, and natural gas…” (lines 10-11) – However
c) “In order to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming below 2°C, we can only emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide, ever…” (lines 27-28) - Due to
d) “Although short-lived and released in smaller quantities, some of these are potentially far more potent than carbon dioxide…” (lines 37-38) – Besides
e) “So the researchers have re-examined both the options and the approaches, and have worked out a global figure that, they suggest, could be relevant to “real-world policy”. (lines 41-42) – Therefore
a) “Instead of a range of permissible emissions estimates that ranged up to 2,390 bn tons from 2015 onwards,” (lines 7-8) – Because of
b) “In effect, that halves the levels of diesel and petrol available for petrol tanks, coal for power stations, and natural gas…” (lines 10-11) – However
c) “In order to have a reasonable chance of keeping global warming below 2°C, we can only emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide, ever…” (lines 27-28) - Due to
d) “Although short-lived and released in smaller quantities, some of these are potentially far more potent than carbon dioxide…” (lines 37-38) – Besides
e) “So the researchers have re-examined both the options and the approaches, and have worked out a global figure that, they suggest, could be relevant to “real-world policy”. (lines 41-42) – Therefore
R E S P O S T A : E |
8. Based on the meanings expressed in the text, it is correct to affirm that
a) “permissible” (line 7) and tolerable are antonyms.
b) “ominous” (line 15) and encouraging are synonyms.
c) “massive” (line 20) and substantial do not express similar ideas.
d) “bedevilled” (line 26) means the same as tormented.
e) “reasonable” (line 27) does not mean acceptable.
R E S P O S T A : D |
9. In terms of reference, it is correct to affirm that
a) “one of which” (line 15) refers to “summit in Paris” (line 14).
b) “these” (line 23) refers to “sea levels” (line 22).
c) “this concept” (line 29) refers to “global warming” (line 27).
d) “some of these” (line 37) refers to “greenhouse gases” (line 36).
e) “it” (line 42) refers to “real-world policy” (line 42).
R E S P O S T A : D |
10. Based on the tone of the text, which of the following options best describes the author’s attitude towards fossil fuel use?
a) Ironic
b) Careless
c) Concerned
d) Enthusiastic
e) Inconsiderate
R E S P O S T A : C |
a) Ironic
• Irônica
b) Careless
b) Careless
• Descuidada
c) Concerned
c) Concerned
• Preocupada
d) Enthusiastic
d) Enthusiastic
• Entusiasmada
e) Inconsiderate
e) Inconsiderate
• imprudente
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