S e c o n d e d I t I o n 1 Reading for the Real World 1

Fill in each blank with the best word from the list. Use each word only 
once.
glaciers erosion negotiating forecast debating precipitation
1.
The weather __________ stated that it will be sunny on the weekend.
2.
Many politicians are __________ how to best manage the environment.
3.
Cutting down trees causes __________ of the soil on the mountains.
4.
The __________ at the South Pole are starting to melt because of global warming!
5.
Industrialists are __________ acceptable emission levels with politicians.
6.
The Sahara gets about 13
mm
of __________ a year.
Fill in the blanks with phrases from the list. Use each phrase only once.
Since the 1800s, the 
1 
_________________ CO
2
in the atmosphere has risen, 
which some scientists predict will lead to warmer global temperatures. This global 
warming could have 
2 
_________________. In order to reduce the emission 
levels of greenhouse gases, countries met at 
3 
_________________ to sign the 
Kyoto Protocol. According to the Protocol, industrialized countries would agree 
4 
_________________ of greenhouse gases below emission levels in 1990. 
Delegates from many countries around the world 
5 
_________________. 
The US and Australia did not officially 
6 
_________________ because they 
thought it was unfair and its predictions were improbable.
an international summit 
serious consequences 
approve the Protocol
to reduce emissions 
signed the Protocol 
level of man-made

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upplemental Reading
A 
ccording to the Kyoto Protocol, various nations agreed to cut their 
emissions of greenhouse gases below emission levels in 1990. 
Developing nations such as China and India are exempt from meeting 
the standards set by the Protocol. In order for the treaty to go into effect, 55 
countries representing 55 percent of the emissions by industrialized countries 
must ratify it. More than 100 countries have already ratified the Protocol, but all 
of these countries only represent 43 percent of the emission levels from 1990.
The way the plan works is that industries first set a limit, or cap, on 
emission levels for the industry. Industries such as oil and gas producers, 
generating plants, and industrial plants would all take part in establishing the 
limits. Once the treaty is in effect, companies that produce emissions below the 
cap level can “sell” their unused level to other companies. New industries that 
would produce emissions must then buy or trade with existing industries to keep 
the national emissions within limits.
Supporters of the Kyoto Protocol were hopeful that Russia would ratify the 
agreement in 2003. However, Russia decided to postpone its ratification. One of 
the reasons Russia was originally interested in signing the Protocol was that they 
were already well below 1990 emission levels. This meant if 
they took part in the agreement, they would have plenty 
of credits to sell. However, since the US is not