IELTS Practice Reading # Turn Off The Heat
Source : http://www.timeforkids.com/news/turn-heat/307576
TURN OFF THE HEAT!!
Levels (a position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality)of greenhouse gases (a gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation. Carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons are examples of greenhouse gases) trapped (trick or deceive (someone) into doing something contrary to their interests or intentions)in Earth’s atmosphere (the envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet) reached (stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp something)an all-time high in 2014, according (as stated by or in)to a new report (give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated)by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The group’s findings (the action of finding someone or something)were released on Monday, November 9.
Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), come from everyday (daily) activities (the condition in which things are happening or being done)such as turning on a light and driving around town. They are released (allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free)in larger amounts (a quantity of something, especially the total of a thing or things in number, size, value, or extent)by factories (a building or group of buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine)and farms. These gases trap heat in the atmosphere, which makes the Earth warmer (of or at a fairly or comfortably high temperature).
“We can’t see CO2,” WMO Secretary-General, Michel Jarraud, said in a statement (a definite or clear expression of something in speech or writing). “It is an invisible (unable to be seen)threat (a statement of an intention to inflict pain, injury, damage, or other hostile action on someone in retribution for something done or not done), but a very real one.”
The WMO reported (give a spoken or written account of something that one has observed, heard, done, or investigated)that the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere reached 397.7 parts per million (ppm) in 2014. In the Northern hemisphere it rose to above 400 ppm—a symbolic (serving as a symbol) milestone (a stone set up beside a road to mark the distance in miles to a particular place). Scientists (a person who is studying or has expert knowledge of one or more of the natural or physical sciences)say that CO2 levels should stay below 400 ppm to avoid long-term climate (the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period)issues, like heat waves and floods.
“Carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for hundreds of years and in the ocean for even longer,” said Jarraud. “Past, present and future emissions will have a [growing] impact” on the world’s environment.