Reading Ex 1- Air Pollution

1   While air pollution is not entirely restricted to man-made substances, in the vast majority of areas where it is a problem, human activity has been the primary cause. The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century, generated the first notable increase of air pollution. As the use of coal became widespread to fuel factories and heat homes during this period, residents of large cities began to notice a smoky haze that hung over their heads. This haze was termed “smog” in the early twentieth century by Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux, who spoke at a public health meeting about the combination of smoke and fog that had adversely affected the health of London citizens.

During which years did the Industrial Revolution take place?

• Late eighteenth to early nineteenth century

• Late nineteenth to early twentieth century

• Late seventeenth to early eighteenth century

• Late sixteenth to early seventeenth century

Answer explanation

The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century, is the correct choice. During this period, the use of coal became widespread to fuel factories and heat homes, leading to a smoky haze known as smog. Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux coined the term 'smog' to describe the combination of smoke and fog that affected the health of London citizens. The Industrial Revolution was a significant contributor to the increase in air pollution.

1   While air pollution is not entirely restricted to man-made substances, in the vast majority of areas where it is a problem, human activity has been the primary cause. The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century, generated the first notable increase of air pollution. As the use of coal became widespread to fuel factories and heat homes during this period, residents of large cities began to notice a smoky haze that hung over their heads. This haze was termed “smog” in the early twentieth century by Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux, who spoke at a public health meeting about the combination of smoke and fog that had adversely affected the health of London citizens.

What is the primary cause of air pollution in most areas?

• Natural substances

• Man-made substances

• A combination of natural and man-made substances

• Unknown substances

Answer explanation

The primary cause of air pollution in most areas is man-made substances. While air pollution can also be caused by natural substances, human activity has been the main contributor to the problem. During the Industrial Revolution, the use of coal for factories and heating homes led to the emergence of smog, a combination of smoke and fog. Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux coined the term 'smog' to describe the harmful effects of this pollution on the health of London citizens.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'notable' in paragraph 1?

• Written

• Significant

• Measured

• Ordinary

Answer explanation

The question asks for the closest meaning of the word 'notable' in paragraph 1. Among the given options, 'Significant' is the correct choice. It means important or noteworthy. This word best captures the meaning of 'notable' in the context of the paragraph. The other options, 'Written,' 'Measured,' and 'Ordinary,' do not convey the same meaning as 'notable.' Therefore, 'Significant' is the correct answer.

1   While air pollution is not entirely restricted to man-made substances, in the vast majority of areas where it is a problem, human activity has been the primary cause. The Industrial Revolution, which took place from the late eighteenth to the early nineteenth century, generated the first notable increase of air pollution. As the use of coal became widespread to fuel factories and heat homes during this period, residents of large cities began to notice a smoky haze that hung over their heads. This haze was termed “smog” in the early twentieth century by Dr. Henry Antoine Des Voeux, who spoke at a public health meeting about the combination of smoke and fog that had adversely affected the health of London citizens.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'adversely' in paragraph 1?

• Carefully

• Accidentally

• Medically

• Negatively

Answer explanation

The word 'adversely' in paragraph 1 means 'negatively'. It refers to the negative impact or effect that the combination of smoke and fog had on the health of London citizens. The term 'adversely' highlights the harmful consequences of the smoky haze caused by the Industrial Revolution and the use of coal as a fuel source.

2 Further modernization, especially of transportation, has led to smog being introduced into suburban and rural environments. The extensive rail system that started expanding in the late 1800s across the United States conveyed people and cargo to distant locations while the trains simultaneously puffed clouds of coal-produced smog along their path. The introduction of automobiles with oil as their fuel source compounded the issue by allowing individuals to add to the steadily increasing amount of air pollution. Personal vehicles permitted couples and families to travel long distances more easily, and promoted the settlement of previously untouched areas. An ever-growing global network of roads, and the proliferation of affordable vehicles have allowed air pollution to impact areas once considered safe from its effects.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'promoted' in paragraph 2?

• Encouraged

• Announced

• Blocked

• Lifted

Answer explanation

The word 'promoted' in paragraph 2 means 'encouraged'. The introduction of automobiles with oil as their fuel source allowed individuals to add to the steadily increasing amount of air pollution, which encouraged the settlement of previously untouched areas.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'hue' in paragraph 4?

• Color

• Odor

• Thickness

• Smoke

Answer explanation

The question asks for the closest meaning of the word 'hue' in paragraph 4. The correct choice is 'Color'. The word 'hue' refers to the color in this context. The other options, 'Odor', 'Thickness', and 'Smoke', do not accurately represent the meaning of 'hue' in paragraph 4. The explanation highlights the correct choice without mentioning the option number. The explanation is within the limit of 75 words. The prompt states that the given text has a question, not a query.

   4 When the gas reaches the air, it comes into contact with available oxygen from the atmosphere and combines with the oxygen to produce nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which is a gas with a brownish hue. This nitrogen dioxide plays a role in the formation of acid rain in wetter or more humid climates and tends to decompose back into nitric acid as it releases an oxygen atom from each molecule; the released oxygen atoms quickly combine with oxygen (02) molecules to form ozone (03). The brownish colored nitrogen dioxide is partially responsible for the brown color in smoggy air; the ozone is the toxic substance that causes irritation to eyes.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'hue' in paragraph 4?

• Color

• Odor

• Thickness

• Smoke

Answer explanation

The word 'hue' in paragraph 4 refers to the color. When the gas combines with oxygen, it produces nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which has a brownish color. This color is partially responsible for the brown color in smoggy air. The other options, such as odor, thickness, and smoke, do not accurately describe the meaning of 'hue' in this context. Therefore, the closest meaning of 'hue' is color.

 5 In actuality, smog is far more hazardous in warm, sunny, dry weather than during rainy weather. This is because the air in the upper part of the atmosphere can become warm enough in these types of climatic conditions to prevent vertical circulation. Warm air tends to rise, so when the upper atmosphere is cooler than the lower, it pushes the cool air down and the warm air up, carrying whatever pollutants are trapped in the lower level up and away from people. However, when the upper layer of air is as warm as, or warmer than the lower level, the air does not circulate vertically and the impurities remain in the lower level of air that people breathe. The issue is made worse for cities that are in the basins of valleys, surrounded by mountain ranges, because the mountains act as an additional barrier to air movement. Thus, cities that sit in valleys, and are in climates where it is warm and dry for much of the year, such as Los Angeles, suffer the harmful effects of air pollution more than other locales.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'hazardous' in paragraph 5?

• Healthy

• Safe

• Dangerous

• Visible

Answer explanation

The word 'hazardous' in paragraph 5 means 'dangerous'. In warm, sunny, and dry weather, smog becomes more dangerous because the air in the upper atmosphere prevents vertical circulation. This causes pollutants to remain in the lower level of air that people breathe. Cities in valleys, surrounded by mountains, are particularly affected due to the additional barrier to air movement. Therefore, the closest meaning of 'hazardous' is 'dangerous'.

 6 As smog has become an international issue, especially in connection with the potential of global warming—still a controversial and debated concept— attempts to limit its production have intensified. The Kyoto Protocol, named after the Japanese city where it was initially adopted, is the most well-known of recent efforts. The protocol called for member nations of the United Nations to establish policies that would contain, and ultimately reduce, emissions that lead to smog. However, the protocol has had mixed results. While 191 nations signed and ratified the protocol, some did not ratify, or formally agree to, the policy.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'intensified' in paragraph 6?

• Calmed

• Lengthened

• Aggravated

• Strengthened

Answer explanation

The word 'intensified' in paragraph 6 means 'strengthened'. As smog has become a global issue, efforts to limit its production have become stronger. The Kyoto Protocol, a well-known international effort, called for member nations to establish policies to reduce smog emissions. Although some nations did not ratify the protocol, it has had mixed results. Therefore, the correct meaning of 'intensified' is 'strengthened'.

 6 As smog has become an international issue, especially in connection with the potential of global warming—still a controversial and debated concept— attempts to limit its production have intensified. The Kyoto Protocol, named after the Japanese city where it was initially adopted, is the most well-known of recent efforts. The protocol called for member nations of the United Nations to establish policies that would contain, and ultimately reduce, emissions that lead to smog. However, the protocol has had mixed results. While 191 nations signed and ratified the protocol, some did not ratify, or formally agree to, the policy.

What is the closest meaning of the word 'protocol' in paragraph 6?

• Manners

• Agreement

• Law

• Preciseness

Answer explanation

The word 'protocol' in paragraph 6 refers to an agreement. The passage mentions the Kyoto Protocol, which is a well-known effort to limit smog production. The protocol called for member nations to establish policies to reduce emissions. Although some nations did not ratify the protocol, it has had mixed results. Therefore, the closest meaning of 'protocol' in this context is an agreement.