Preliminary global average temperatures taken so far in June are nearly 1C (1.8F) above levels previously recorded for the same month, going back to 1979. While the month is not yet complete and may not set a new June record, climate scientists say it follows a pattern of strengthening global heating that could see this year named the hottest ever recorded, topping 2016.
The long-term warming conditions caused by the burning of fossil fuels will likely receive a further pulse of heat via El Niño, a naturally reoccurring phenomenon where sections of the Pacific Ocean heat up, typically causing temperatures to spike across the world.
According to the text, which one of the following is true?
A) The June temperature this year is consistent with an observed trend.
B) Temperatures in June are not related to the El Niño phenomenon.
C) This year, June will be the hottest month on record since 1979.
D) The El Niño phenomenon limits the effects of burning fossil fuels.
E) June 1979 was the hottest month to date.
IMAT 2023 · Question 1
Q1 - Reading skills
Pinned
The correct answer is A) The June temperature this year is consistent with an observed trend.
The key sentence is that June's figures follow a pattern of strengthening global heating. That is exactly what "consistent with an observed trend" means.
C is the one people fall for. The text actually says the month is not finished and may not set a record, so "will be the hottest" goes further than the passage does. B and D get El Niño backwards: it adds a pulse of heat on top of the warming, it doesn't limit it or have nothing to do with it.
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