Whether We Like It or Not, Global Climate Change Will

question 59

Multiple Choice

Whether we like it or not, global climate change will have pronounced effects on the world we live in. Oddly enough, climate change brings with it some minor positive effects. For instance, the frost-free growing season will lengthen. This means that farmers will have a longer period of time in which to grow crops. Ultimately, some farmers may be able to plant and harvest two crops per year, rather than just one. But for every positive effect, there are ten negative ones. Temperatures will continue to rise. Of course, this could spell the doom for polar ice caps. Climate change also brings with it changes in precipitation patterns. More precipitation is expected for the northern U.S., while much less is expected for the Southwest. But perhaps more than anything else, climate change could devastate our coastal cities. Experts estimate that sea levels will rise one to four feet within the next sixty years. So, while not all of the results of climate change are negative, we clearly stand to lose more than we gain.
What is the main idea of the passage?

• A)Climate change will not negatively affect the farmers in the United States.
• B)It is time to prepare coastal cities in the U.S. for upcoming floods.
• C)The effects of climate change will not be seriously felt for another sixty years.
• D)The negative effects of climate change outweigh its minor positive effects.

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Definitions:

Circadian Process

The biological mechanisms that control the internal body clock, regulating sleep-wake cycles and other physiological patterns.

Sleep Deprivation

The condition of not having enough sleep, which can lead to various negative health and cognitive effects.

Inverted-U Function

A theory suggesting that performance increases with arousal up to an optimal point, beyond which further increases in arousal can lead to decreased performance.

Arousal

A physiological and psychological state of being awoken or stimulated to action.