The concept of the 'Anthropocene' has gained significant traction among geologists and environmental scientists as a proposed new geological epoch, defined by the profound and lasting impact of human activities on the Earth's systems. Proponents argue that markers such as nuclear fallout from atomic tests, plastic pollution, and elevated carbon dioxide levels are stratigraphically distinct and will be visible in the rock record for millions of years. However, critics contend that the term is more culturally and politically charged than scientifically precise, noting that human-induced changes occur at varying rates across different regions and that the formal criteria for an epoch, such as a clear global boundary, are not yet fully met. This debate underscores a deeper tension between the desire for a clear narrative of planetary change and the complex, uneven realities of geological evidence.
❓ Según el pasaje, ¿cuál es una razón principal por la que algunos científicos se oponen al reconocimiento formal del Antropoceno como una época geológica?
A. A. Las actividades humanas aún no han causado cambios significativos en los sistemas de la Tierra.
B. B. Los marcadores propuestos, como la contaminación por plásticos, no están distribuidos globalmente.
C. C. La evidencia geológica del impacto humano carece de un límite global consistente.
D. D. El término es demasiado científico y excluye perspectivas culturales y políticas.
✅ 正确答案
C. The geological evidence for human impact lacks a consistent global boundary.
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)
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