GRE Reading Comprehension

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Source: BOOST

As of the late 1980's. neither theorists nor large- scale computer climate models could accurately predict whether cloud systems would help or hurt a warming globe. Some studies suggested that a four percent increase m stratocumulus clouds over the ocean could compensate for a doubling in atmospheric carbon dioxide, preventing a potentially disastrous planetwide temperature increase. On the other hand, an increase in cirrus clouds could increase global warming.

That clouds represented the weakest element in climate models was illustrated by a study of fourteen such models. Comparing climate forecasts for a world with double the current amount of carbon dioxide, researchers found that the models agreed quite well if clouds were not included. But when clouds were incorporated, a wide range of forecasts was produced. With such discrepancies plaguing the models, scientists could not easily predict how quickly the world's climate would change, nor could they tell which regions would face dustier droughts or deadlier monsoons.

Question List: 1 2 3

It can be inferred that the primary purpose of the models included in the study discussed in the second paragraph of the passage was to (in order to question)

  • A predict future changes in the world's climate
  • B predict the effects of cloud systems on the world's climate
  • C find a way to prevent a disastrous planet wide temperature increase
  • D assess the percentage of the Earth's surface covered by cloud systems
  • E estimate by how much the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere will increase

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