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 nuclear fallout, plastic pollution, and elevated carbon dioxide levels provide clear stratigraphic evidence of a distinct human-driven era. However, critics within the geological community contend that the Anthropocene does not meet the strict criteria for an epoch, which traditionally requires a clear boundary in rock strata and a global synchrony. They suggest that human impacts, though profound, are diachronous, occurring at different times across regions, thus complicating a single, unified geological definition. This debate underscores a deeper tension between the long timescales of geological classification and the rapid, uneven pace of anthropogenic change.
❓ 일부 지질학자들이 인류세를 새로운 지질 시대(epoch)로 공식 인정하는 것에 반대하는 주요 이유는 무엇인가?
A. A. 인간의 영향은 지구 시스템을 변화시킬 만큼 충분히 크지 않다.
B. B. 인간 활동의 흔적은 암석층에서 발견되지 않는다.
C. C. 인간에 의한 변화는 전 세계적으로 동시에 발생하지 않았다.
D. D. 이 개념은 지질학자가 아닌 대기 화학자에 의해 제안되었다.
✅ 正确答案
C. Human-induced changes did not occur simultaneously across the globe.
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