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.
❓ 지문에 따르면, 일부 과학자들이 인류세를 지질학적 시대로 공식 인정하는 것에 반대하는 주된 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A. 인간의 활동은 아직 지구 시스템에 중대한 변화를 초래하지 않았다.
B. B. 제안된 지표들, 예를 들어 플라스틱 오염 같은 경우, 전 세계적으로 분포되어 있지 않다.
C. C. 인간 영향에 대한 지질학적 증거는 일관된 지구적 경계를 결여하고 있다.
D. D. 해당 용어는 지나치게 과학적이며 문화적·정치적 관점을 배제한다.
✅ 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)
Manage time: about 20 minutes per passage; skip difficult questions first