“SO, YOU HAVE YOUR FIFTH HIGH SCHOOL REUNION COMING UP

14. “So, you have your fifth high school reunion coming up?” - “ _____________

”

A. Oh, the school reunion was wonderful.

B. The food at the reunion was excellent.

C. Yeah. I’m really looking forward to it.

D. No. You’re in no mood for the event.

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, c or D to indicate the

correct answer to each of the questions.

Plants and animals will find it difficult to escape from or adjust to the effects of

global warming. Scientists have already observed shifts in the life cycles of many

plants and animals, such as flowers blooming earlier and birds hatching earlier in

the spring. Many species have begun shifting where they live or their annual

migration patterns due to warmer temperatures.

With further warming, animals will tend to migrate toward the poles and up

mountainsides toward higher elevations. Plants will also attempt to shift their

ranges, seeking new areas as old habitats grow too warm. In many places,

however, human development will prevent these shifts. Species that find cities or

farmland blocking their way north or south may become extinct. Species living in

unique ecosystems, such as those found in polar and mountaintop regions, are

especially at risk because migration to new habitats is not possible. For example,

polar bears and marine mammals in the Arctic are already threatened by dwindling

sea ice but have nowhere farther north to go.

Projecting species extinction due to global warming is extremely difficult. Some

scientists have estimated that 20 to 50 percent of species could be committed to

extinction with 2 to 3 Celsius degrees of further warming. The rate of warming, not

just the magnitude, is extremely important for plants and animals. Some species

and even entire ecosystems, such as certain types of forest, may not be able to

adjust quickly enough and may disappear.

Ocean ecosystems, especially fragile ones like coral reefs, will also be affected by

global warming. Warm ocean temperatures can cause coral to “bleach”, a state

which if prolonged will lead to the death of the coral. Scientists estimate that even

1 Celsius degree of additional warming could lead to widespread bleaching and

death of coral reefs around the world. Also, increasing carbon dioxide in the

atmosphere enters the ocean and increases the acidity of ocean waters. This

acidification further stresses ocean ecosystems.