The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained significant traction in geological and environmental discourse, proposing that human activity has become a dominant force shaping Earth's systems. While the term was popularized by atmospheric chemist Paul Crutzen in 2000, its formal recognition as a geological epoch remains contentious. Proponents argue that markers such as plastic pollution, nuclear fallout, and elevated carbon dioxide levels provide clear stratigraphic evidence. Conversely, skeptics contend that these signals are too diachronous, appearing at different times across the globe, to define a synchronous boundary comparable to previous epochs. Furthermore, the Anthropocene Working Group's recent vote against formalizing the epoch highlights the scientific community's reluctance to alter the established geological timescale without unambiguous criteria. This debate underscores a broader tension between the need for precise scientific classification and the urgency of communicating humanity's profound environmental impact.
❓ 회의론자들이 인류세를 지질학적 시대로 공식화하는 것에 반대하는 주요 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A. 인간의 영향에 대한 증거는 지질학적 기록에서 충분히 뚜렷하게 드러나지 않는다.
B. B. 인간에 의한 지표는 전 세계적으로 동기화되지 않아, 획일적인 경계를 설정하기 어렵다.
C. C. '인류세'라는 용어는 대중에게 널리 받아들여지지 않았다.
D. D. 파울 크루첸은 충분한 과학적 신뢰도를 갖추지 못했다.
✅ 正确答案
B. Human-induced markers are not synchronized globally, making a uniform boundary difficult.
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