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

Will we survive the Will we survive the 2121stst century? century?Graham Spencer’s “Score in Graham Spencer’s “Score in Comprehension”Comprehension”

Answer keyAnswer key

Para 1: Question 1Para 1: Question 1

‘‘The aeroplane and the motor vehicle The aeroplane and the motor vehicle have also left their indelible stamp on the have also left their indelible stamp on the century’. (lines 5-6)century’. (lines 5-6)

What does the use of the phrase What does the use of the phrase ‘indelible stamp’ suggest about the ‘indelible stamp’ suggest about the effects of the motor vehicle and effects of the motor vehicle and aeroplane?aeroplane? [1][1]

Answer 1Answer 1

Their effect is permanent.Their effect is permanent.

Question 2Question 2

The writer claims that ‘human The writer claims that ‘human relationships have also undergone relationships have also undergone drastic change’ (line 6) in the twentieth drastic change’ (line 6) in the twentieth century.century.

What are two consequences of these What are two consequences of these ‘drastic changes’?‘drastic changes’?[2][2]

Answer 2Answer 2

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


‘‘There are voices which we would prefer There are voices which we would prefer not to hear, but they nevertheless not to hear, but they nevertheless insistent…’ (line 12)insistent…’ (line 12)

Why would we prefer not to hear these Why would we prefer not to hear these voices?voices?[2][2]

Answer 3Answer 3

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


‘‘Neither of these events in themselves Neither of these events in themselves call for celebration, …’ (line 18)call for celebration, …’ (line 18)

Explain the use of ‘in themselves’ here. Explain the use of ‘in themselves’ here. [1][1]

Answer 4Answer 4

There is nothing special about either.There is nothing special about either.


Explain in your own words what the writer Explain in your own words what the writer means by ‘a point of no return’. means by ‘a point of no return’. [1][1]

Answer 5Answer 5

It’s impossible to undo the damage which It’s impossible to undo the damage which has been done.has been done.


‘‘In itself, species loss may not pose a In itself, species loss may not pose a threat to the survival of humans.’ (lines threat to the survival of humans.’ (lines 32-33)32-33)

If species loss poses no threat to human If species loss poses no threat to human survival, why does the writer raise the survival, why does the writer raise the matter?matter?[2][2]

Answer 6Answer 6

As an example of what could happen to As an example of what could happen to humans.humans.


‘‘The domestication and farming of The domestication and farming of selected animals (notably cattle and selected animals (notably cattle and sheep) has led to an enormous increase sheep) has led to an enormous increase in their numbers.’ (lines 34-35)in their numbers.’ (lines 34-35)

Explain the paradox to which this Explain the paradox to which this increase in numbers has led.increase in numbers has led.

[2][2]

Answer 7Answer 7

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


What are the two main threats identified What are the two main threats identified to the survival of humans on the planet?to the survival of humans on the planet?[2][2]

Answer 8Answer 8

The greenhouse effect and depletion of The greenhouse effect and depletion of the ozone layer.the ozone layer.


‘‘The question of whether these legacies The question of whether these legacies of the fabulous twentieth century can be of the fabulous twentieth century can be reversed is a legitimate one.’ (lines 50-reversed is a legitimate one.’ (lines 50-51)51)

Why does the use of the word ‘fabulous’ Why does the use of the word ‘fabulous’ appear to be out of place here? appear to be out of place here? [1][1]

Answer 9Answer 9

Most of the information dispels the idea Most of the information dispels the idea that the twentieth century was ‘fabulous’.that the twentieth century was ‘fabulous’.


‘‘But nature has no special mandate to But nature has no special mandate to preserve human life, …’ (line 54)preserve human life, …’ (line 54)

Explain what the writer means by this Explain what the writer means by this comment.comment. [2][2]

Answer 10Answer 10

Human survival is irrelevant to the forces Human survival is irrelevant to the forces of nature.of nature.


‘‘The prospect of humanity choking to The prospect of humanity choking to death on its own debris is a simplistic death on its own debris is a simplistic one.’ (line 62)one.’ (line 62)

Why is this seen as a ‘simplistic’ idea?Why is this seen as a ‘simplistic’ idea?[1][1]

Answer 11Answer 11

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


The term ‘seems inevitable’ contains a The term ‘seems inevitable’ contains a contradiction. Explain this.contradiction. Explain this.[2][2]

Answer 12Answer 12

If something is ‘inevitable’, it must If something is ‘inevitable’, it must happen. So ‘seems’ is an inappropriate happen. So ‘seems’ is an inappropriate word here.word here.


Why does the writer claim that Why does the writer claim that ‘degradation of the environment’ will not ‘degradation of the environment’ will not be the real cause of human extinction? be the real cause of human extinction? (line 83)(line 83)[1][1]

Answer 13Answer 13

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

14- Vocabulary14- Vocabulary

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

Answer 14Answer 14

1.1. Weighed (line 1): considered, comparedWeighed (line 1): considered, compared

2.2. Implore (line 13): beg, pleadImplore (line 13): beg, plead

3.3. Proceed (line 23): continueProceed (line 23): continue

4.4. Staggering (line 30): extreme, surprisingStaggering (line 30): extreme, surprising

5.5. Depletion (line 44): lessening, reductionDepletion (line 44): lessening, reduction

6.6. Legacies (line 50): consequences, outcomesLegacies (line 50): consequences, outcomes

7.7. Affluent (line 76): wealthyAffluent (line 76): wealthy

8.8. Merely (line 84): onlyMerely (line 84): only

15- Summary15- Summary

Using info provided in the passage, summarize Using info provided in the passage, summarize the effects of environmental degradation on the the effects of environmental degradation on the earth, the attempts so far to improve the earth, the attempts so far to improve the situation and what needs to be done to situation and what needs to be done to overcome the problem.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 Continuous writing, 160 words (including 7

given- must begin with them) given- must begin with them)

Answer 15Answer 15

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

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