Is the Earth Getting Warmer?

According to the passage, which gas is generated in especially large amounts when we burn fossil fuels?

• carbon dioxide

• methane

• carbon monoxide

• sulfur dioxide

The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has had which effect on the Earth's climate?

• Average rainfall has decreased.

• Extreme weather has become less common.

• The Earth's temperatures are rising.

• The Earth's temperatures are falling.

Arctic ice plays an important role in cooling the Earth.

Which evidence from the passage best supports this statement?

• In the last 30 years, more than one-third of the ice that appears in the Arctic during the summer has melted away.

• Arctic ice reflects the Sun's light.

• When Arctic ice melts, it reveals more of the darker-colored land or ocean water.

• Darker-colored land absorbs the Sun's light, causing the climate's temperature to increase.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.W.7.1B

CCSS.W.7.9A

Some of the gases that contribute to global warming are trapped in permafrost. When permafrost melts, many of these gases are released into the atmosphere. This leads to an increase of the atmosphere's temperature, which causes more permafrost to melt.

What type of feedback loop is this an example of?

• negative feedback loop

• complex feedback loop

• both a positive and negative feedback loop

• positive feedback loop

What is the main idea of this passage?

• Climate change is a complex and unpredictable process involving feedback loops.

• Disagreements about climate change have prevented scientists from finding real solutions to global warming.

• Wallace Broecker's theory may have been incorrect, but he presented some worthwhile ideas.

• Climate change can be completely reversed if carbon dioxide production is changed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Read the following sentences:

"Some scientists expect an increase in so-called 'extreme weather' events, such as hurricane and floods. Others foresee a rise in levels of sea water."

Which word could best replace "foresee" as used in this sentence?

• forecast

• glimpse

• pretend

• discover

Tags

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.L.7.5C

CCSS.RI.7.4

Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below.

Trees play important roles in preventing global warming, _________ absorbing carbon dioxide and pumping water into the atmosphere.

• thus

• finally

• as a result

• including

Tags

CCSS.L.7.4A

CCSS.RI.7.4