The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained traction among geologists and environmental scientists as a proposed new geological epoch defined by significant human impact on Earth's geology and ecosystems. Proponents argue that markers such as plastic pollution, nuclear fallout from atomic tests, and elevated carbon dioxide levels provide clear stratigraphic evidence of a distinct human-driven era. However, critics contend that the term lacks formal precision, as human activities have altered the environment for millennia, and the proposed markers may not be globally synchronous or permanent in the geological record. This debate highlights the tension between scientific classification and the broader narrative of human influence, raising questions about how we define and periodize our own impact on the planet.
❓ According to the passage, one major criticism of the 'Anthropocene' as a formal geological epoch is that:
A. A) human environmental impact is too recent to be measured.
B. B) the proposed markers may not be consistent across time and space.
C. C) carbon dioxide levels have not risen significantly.
D. D) geologists unanimously reject the term for political reasons.
✅ 正确答案
B) the proposed markers may not be consistent across time and space.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first