The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained significant traction among geologists and environmental scientists, referring to the current geological epoch in which human activity has become the dominant influence on climate and the environment. While the term was popularized in the early 2000s by Nobel laureate Paul Crutzen, its formal adoption as a geological epoch remains contentious. Critics argue that the markers of human impact, such as nuclear fallout and plastic pollution, are not yet sufficient to define a clear boundary in the stratigraphic record. Proponents, however, contend that the scale and irreversibility of human-induced changes, including biodiversity loss and altered nitrogen cycles, warrant a distinct classification. This debate underscores a deeper tension between scientific precision and the need to communicate the urgency of environmental crises.
❓ Какова основная причина споров вокруг официального принятия антропоцена в качестве геологической эпохи?
A. A. Термин был популяризирован не геологом, Полом Крутценом.
B. B. Некоторые учёные считают, что воздействие человека ещё не отчётливо видно в слоях горных пород.
C. C. Эта концепция не получила широкого признания среди учёных-экологов.
D. D. Нет доказательств утраты биоразнообразия или изменённых циклов азота.
✅ 正确答案
B. Some scientists believe human impact is not yet clearly visible in rock layers.
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