For questions 1-5 read the following texts. For questions 1-4, answer with a word or short phrase; for question 5 write a summary according to the instructions given.

As puzzling as it may seem, landfill sites may provide a solution to global warming. Researchers state that burying wood and paper locks large amounts of carbon under the earth. This process, unlike other methods of garbage disposal, prevents carbon from seeping into the atmosphere resulting in the acceleration of global warming. Some countries have proposed to have landfills count as "carbon sinks" under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to curb greenhouse gas emissions. This might have the effect of inciting countries to bury their carbon waste in order to burn more Fossil Fuels; an ironic twist to landfills' newly Found environmental potential.

Researchers in the US Forest Products Laboratory have concluded that most of the carbon found in paper and wood products doesn't rot. An estimated 70% of carbon from paper, and 97% from wood, is permanently sealed underground. Requests by some countries to enlist landfills have been taken to the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ('FCC), which triggered an inquiry into the complex interchanges of carbon between air and land. However, environmentalists are still concerned about the ecological impact of landfills. Research continues.

1. Why does the writer say that burying used wood and paper could be “an ironic twist to the landfills’ newly found potential”?

Because it can prevent the global warming as it locks large amounts of carbon under the earth.

2. When paper and wood are buried, what happens to most of the carbon they contain?

It becomes locked under the earth.

І must admit І was taken aback by the landfills article in the June edition of your publication. І am rather skeptical about the newly acquired wisdom on the environmental benefits of landfills as "carbon sealers" which would miraculously decelerate global warming. As an active member of а global environmental group, І have campaigned over the years for the restriction of gas emissions and have carefully looked into various governmental policies. It is well known that countries are desperately looking for ways to circumvent respecting carbon emission rate limits, which were imposed by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. І саn just envisage industry using this as an excuse to continue burning fossil fuels, with devastating consequences.

This is bound to have negative effects on recycling. Paper production might increase under the excuse of its harm-free disposal, and recycling paper might be abandoned at an industrial level. The long struggle to establish recycling as part of everyday life is threatened with failure, as any excuse to retreat from recycling, which has always carried the stigma of being non-profitable, would be attractive to manufacturers.

І strongly urge а thorough investigation of long-term effects of this research, or we might find ourselves inside а vicious carbon cycle.

3. What does the word “this” refer to in line 8?

To have "carbon sinks" and curb greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Explain the phrase “has always carried the stigma of being non-profitable” (lines 12-13)

To be a failure.

(10 points)

Writing

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