Question Set 3: Right now, developed countries are caught in a tricky energy situation. They’ve burned a lot of carbon for their growth, and now they’re grappling with the consequences – extreme weather, soaring temperatures, and the urgent need to address climate change. At the same time, regular folks are worried about heating their homes this winter, especially with rising gas prices. In the US, summer saw people cutting back on travel due to high prices, but now that they’ve dropped, it’s back to business as usual. Oddly, this energy crunch is giving a boost to the struggling fossil fuel industry.

Governments are leaning on them for more supply, with Europe even dubbing natural gas as “clean.” The US has a new climate bill promoting renewables, but it’s tied to increased spending on oil and gas. It’s a complex situation – a mix of desperation for energy and a push for cleaner options. However, there are concerns. Firstly, the renewed interest in fossil fuels should be temporary; otherwise, it might be hard to break free. Secondly, these countries shouldn’t hog more of the world’s carbon budget. They need to slash emissions and leave room for poorer nations to meet their needs.

Previous Year Question Set 3

Question: Which statement do you think the author would be most likely to agree with?

(A) Many folks in the U.S. don’t seem overly concerned about climate change.

(B) People in the U.S. do worry about climate change, and these worries play a significant role in shaping their energy consumption habits more than anything else.

(C) The global impact of climate change has led to a rise in energy prices worldwide. Consequently, governments have been compelled to invest in discovering alternative sources of renewable energy.

(D) When it comes to people in the U.S., changes in their energy consumption habits are influenced more by fluctuations in energy prices than by concerns about climate change.

Question: What can you compare to the author’s remarks about developed countries showing a renewed interest in fossil fuels in a way that’s easy to understand and relatable?

(A) It’s important for developed countries to shift their focus away from investing in fossil fuel energy extraction. Instead, they should take immediate steps to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

(B) Recognizing the challenges involved in transitioning to alternative energy sources, developed nations can make a positive impact by actively and swiftly moving towards renewable energy options.

(C) Considering the high costs associated with energy extraction, developed countries should prioritize ongoing investments in renewable energy rather than continuing to heavily invest in fossil fuels.

(D) Developing nations should aim to limit their consumption of fossil fuels and allow wealthier countries to use the remaining carbon budget space responsibly. This would contribute to a more equitable distribution of resources and environmental responsibility.

Question: Based on the information provided earlier, which of the following statements is definitely true?

(A) In developing countries, the fossil fuel industry is expected to experience a drop in sales in the near future, but over the long term, we anticipate a boost in sales.

(B) The cost of producing, setting up, and using solar panels is set to significantly decrease in the next few years, making them more accessible and affordable for everyone.

(C) Getting a bill passed in the U.S. is a monumental task, and the recent energy crisis played a crucial role in persuading lawmakers to pass the new climate bill. Without the urgency created by the crisis, it might not have happened.

(D) The fossil fuel industry in developing countries is poised to see a surge in business, at least in the short term.

Question: What piece of information, if confirmed, would make the author’s point about why travel and fuel consumption decreased in the U.S. during the summer less convincing?

(A) People love exploring new places, and they’re always up for a trip, no matter the season. However, the only thing that might hold them back is the pinch on their wallets. High costs can be a real buzzkill for travel plans.

(B) Airlines decided to jack up ticket prices, blaming it on the surge in fuel costs. This move, unfortunately, left many would-be travelers grounded, as the higher prices made air tickets a luxury not everyone could afford.

(C) When summer rolled around, the US faced strict lockdowns, putting a damper on travel plans. On the upside, the moderate temperatures meant people didn’t have to crank up their home heating, saving them a bit on fuel expenses.

(D) The first half of the year saw some serious global tensions, leading to sky-high fuel prices in the summer. Luckily, things have settled down a bit since then, bringing some relief and making fuel a tad more budget-friendly in the US.

Question: How can the author’s conundrum for developed countries be resolved based on the provided options?

(A) Let’s work on creating more renewable energy options soon, so we can cut down on using fossil fuels.

(B) We’re on the lookout for new sources of fossil fuels to make sure everyone has enough energy to keep their homes warm in the winter.

(C) It might be a good idea to switch to renewable power sources right away, even though it could mean we have less energy available for people.

(D) We should help out less wealthy countries so they can develop their own renewable energy sources.

Question: Why might the U.S. climate bill struggle to achieve its goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption?

(A) While the bill supports investments in cleaner, renewable energy, it falls short in boosting funding for the development of alternative sources of fossil fuel-powered energy.

(B) The bill is filled with technical jargon that might make it challenging for regular folks to grasp easily.

(C) Unfortunately, the bill seems counterproductive as it ties investments in renewable energy to increased spending on oil and gas. Moreover, it opens up millions of hectares of federal land for drilling, potentially leading to a rise in fossil fuel consumption.

(D) One notable drawback of the bill is its failure to include measures for expanding carbon budgets. This oversight means there’s no provision for creating more space to accommodate increased fossil fuel consumption.

Answers

1. D
2. B
3. D
4. C
5. A
6. C

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