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Can scan quickly through long and complex texts, locating relevant details. (B2) Reading: Climate change takes its toll on Scotland Read the text about climate change in Scotland. First decide whether the statements (1–6) are true (T) or false (F) and put a cross ( ✘ ) in the correct box. Then identify the sentence in the text which supports your decision. Write the first four words of this sentence in the space provided. There may be more than one correct answer; write down only one. The first one (0) has been done for you. 3 Scotland was put on red alert over climate change yesterday, with experts saying it was responsible for placing endangered species at greater risk, for rising sea levels, major floods and landslides. The State of Scotland’s Environment 2006 report catalogued a series of threats from global warming: • • Rising levels of winter rain, up by 60 per cent in the north and west of the country since 1961. • • A long-term rise in sea levels. Since 1862, the sea off Aberdeen has risen by an average of 0.66 mm a year. • • A rise in temperatures in Scotland for every season except autumn of one degree Celsius in the past 40 years and a similar rise in sea temperatures in just 20 years. The report said: “Climate change is leading to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, snow cover, wind and storm events, flooding and coastal erosion. All of these could have significant impact on Scotland’s environment, economy and people.” It added: “Scotland’s biodiversity is under increasing threat from habitat loss, land-use changes, urbanisation and the spread of non-native species, as well as climate change.” Research shows much is already under threat: • • The country faced the potentially “catastrophic loss” of its island nesting seabird populations. • • Flowers such as snowdrops and wild daffodils flowered three weeks earlier in 2001 than they did in 1978. • • Heavier rainfall will lead to more frequent and severe river flooding, potentially affecting 77,000 homes and buildings. • • Storms and drier soils can be expected to increase landslides. The report used a colour code to indicate the situation in a range of areas, and climate change was considered at “full-blown red” alert, with biodiversity also under serious threat, on the edge of amber and red. Dr Campbell Gemmell, who compiled the report, said more research was needed to understand the full complexity of life in Scotland’s ecosystem and the effects of global warming. “There are 90,000 species of plants, animals and microbes in Scotland, but we understand about two per cent of them,” he said. His colleague Professor Colin Galbraith said ways would have to be developed to deal with the effects of climate change – as well as efforts to prevent it – because some changes were already happening and more were in the pipeline. He said, “Climate change is a huge issue globally and a huge issue locally. I think the debate will focus much more on adaptation, particularly in the western world.” (Ian Johnston, The Scotsman ; adapted and abridged) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 Statements T F First four words 0 Scotland is not affected by climate change. ✘ Scotland was put on 1 Scotland hasn’t had a lot of rain since 1961. 2 In autumn it usually is 15 degrees Celsius in Scotland. 3 More and more animals from abroad settle in Scotland. 4 Global warming makes plants grow at different times. 5 Dr Campbell Gemmell said there have been enough studies on the effects of global warming. 6 We will have to learn to live with global warming. 31 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv