READING PASSAGE 1

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on Reading Passage 1 below.

Ocean Conservation Efforts

In the Maldives, marine biologists are implementing innovative strategies to protect and restore coral reefs that are essential to marine biodiversity. Could these efforts help mitigate the impacts of climate change?

On a pristine atoll in the Maldives, an ambitious coral restoration project is starting to show promising results. Tiny fragments of coral are being carefully nurtured and transplanted onto degraded reefs using specialised frames. These coral nurseries, suspended in the clear blue waters, are teeming with life. Schools of colourful fish dart among the growing coral, which, in turn, helps stabilise the reef structure. Nearby, in shaded tanks on the shore, more coral fragments are being grown, ready to be planted.

Marine biologist Ahmed Ali began experimenting with coral gardening techniques on his home island five years ago. The current project is much larger, covering an area of over 10,000 square metres, roughly the size of two soccer fields. Already, the team of dedicated volunteers has transplanted over 5,000 coral fragments and restored significant sections of the reef. When the project is fully operational, the team expects to restore up to 2,000 square metres of coral reef each year. "We won't be able to save every reef," cautions Ali. "But if we can restore enough key areas, we can help ensure the survival of many marine species."

The project also serves as a demonstration for Ali’s growing marine conservation organisation, OceanLife. They are receiving inquiries from around the world to replicate their methods. "The benefits are numerous," says Ali. "First, healthy coral reefs provide habitat for countless marine species, support fisheries, and protect coastlines from erosion. They also attract tourism, which is vital for the local economy."

Coral restoration using these methods – which involve growing coral fragments in controlled environments before transplanting them to reefs – ensures that the corals are healthy and resilient. "We can select coral species that are more resistant to temperature changes and bleaching," Ali says. "This gives them a better chance to survive in the warming waters of the Indian Ocean." The project also recycles its resources; for example, the water used in the shore tanks is filtered and reused, reducing the overall environmental impact.

Coral restoration is not new. Efforts are underway in regions from the Great Barrier Reef to the Caribbean. Coral nurseries are being established in abandoned docks, and artificial reefs are being created using structures like sunken ships and concrete blocks. "Our methods are effective and scalable," says Ali. "The equipment is affordable, and the techniques can be taught to local communities, empowering them to take part in conservation efforts."

Restored reefs support marine life, which in turn supports local fisheries and tourism. There are, of course, limits to what can be achieved. "We can't restore every degraded reef, and some species of coral are more challenging to grow and transplant," Ali says. "But with continued innovation and community involvement, we can make a significant impact."

READING PASSAGE 2

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14–26, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.

Sustainable Logging Practices in British Columbia, Canada

How utilising low-value wood for bioenergy can promote sustainable forest management

A A tree’s ‘value’ depends on several factors including its species, size, form, condition, quality, function, and accessibility, and depends on the management goals for a given forest. The same tree can be valued very differently by each person who looks at it. A large, straight Douglas fir tree has high value as timber to be cut into logs or made into furniture, but for a landowner more interested in wildlife habitat, the real value of that stem (or trunk) may be the food it provides to animals. Likewise, if the tree suffers from disease, its value for timber decreases, but to a woodworker interested in making unique pieces, it offers opportunities for creativity.

B In the past, British Columbia landowners were primarily interested in the value of their trees as high-quality timber. The norm was to remove the stems of highest quality and leave behind poorly formed trees that were not as well suited to the site where they grew. This practice, called ‘high-grading’, has left a legacy of ‘low-value wood’ in the forests. Some people even call these ‘junk trees’, and they are abundant in British Columbia. These trees have lower economic value for traditional timber markets, compete for growth with higher-value trees, shade out desirable regeneration and decrease the health of a stand leaving it more vulnerable to poor weather and disease. Management that specifically targets low-value wood can help landowners manage these forest health issues, and wood energy markets help promote this.

C Wood energy markets can accept less expensive wood material of lower quality than would be suitable for traditional timber markets. Most wood used for energy in British Columbia is used to produce heat or electricity through combustion. Many schools and hospitals use wood boiler systems to heat and power their facilities, many homes are primarily heated with wood, and some coal plants incorporate wood into their coal streams to produce electricity. Wood can also be gasified for electrical generation and can even be made into liquid fuels like ethanol and gasoline for lorries and cars. All these products are made primarily from low-value wood. Several tree- and plant-cutting approaches, which could greatly improve the long-term quality of a forest, focus strongly or solely on the use of wood for those markets.

D One such approach is called a Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) Cut. In a TSI Cut, really poor-quality tree and plant material is cut down to allow more space, light, and other resources to the highest-valued stems that remain. Removing invasive plants might be another primary goal of a TSI Cut. The stems that are left behind might then grow in size and develop more foliage and larger crowns or tops that produce more coverage for wildlife; they have a better chance to regenerate in a less crowded environment. TSI Cuts can be tailored to one farmer’s specific management goals for his or her land.

E Another approach that might yield a high amount of low-value wood is a Salvage Cut. With the many pests and pathogens visiting forests including mountain pine beetle, spruce budworm, emerald ash borer, and gypsy moth, to name just a few, it is important to remember that those working in the forests can help ease these issues through cutting procedures. These types of cuts reduce the number of sick trees and seek to manage the future spread of a pest problem. They leave vigorous trees that have stayed healthy enough to survive the outbreak.

F A Shelterwood Cut, which only takes place in a mature forest that has already been thinned several times, involves removing all the mature trees when other seedlings have become established. This then allows the forester to decide which tree species are regenerated. It leaves a young forest where all trees are at a similar point in their growth. It can also be used to develop a two-tier forest so that there are two harvests and the money that comes in is spread out over a decade or more.

G Thinnings and dense and dead wood removal for fire prevention also centre on the production of low-value wood. However, it is important to remember that some retention of what many would classify as low-value wood is very important. The tops of trees that have been cut down should be left on the site so that their nutrients cycle back into the soil. In addition, trees with many cavities are extremely important habitats for insect predators like woodpeckers, bats and small mammals. They help control problem insects and increase the health and resilience of the forest. It is also important to remember that not all small trees are low-value. For example, many species like hawthorn provide food for wildlife. Finally, rare species of trees in a forest should also stay behind as they add to its structural diversity.

READING PASSAGE 3

You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 27–40, which are based on Reading Passage 3 below.

Addressing the Plastic Pollution Crisis

A Last year, individuals, organisations, and governments around the world generated over 300 million tons of plastic waste, a significant increase compared to previous decades. This surge in plastic production and waste has led to severe pollution problems, especially in the oceans. Reports suggest that there are millions of tons of plastic debris in the oceans, impacting marine life and ecosystems.

All this plastic can lead to disaster. Ten years ago, a cargo ship spilled thousands of plastic pellets into the ocean, creating vast patches of microplastic that now contaminate marine food chains. Altogether, there are roughly 8 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually. And while some efforts are made to clean up this waste, the sheer volume makes it a daunting task.

B Concern about plastic pollution goes back several decades, but the scale of the problem is now prompting urgent action. Several teams are working on innovative methods to clean up the oceans and prevent further pollution. Some researchers are developing advanced filtration systems that can capture microplastics before they enter water bodies. Others are working on biodegradable plastics that break down more easily in the environment.

The alternative, many say, is unthinkable. Without significant intervention, the accumulation of plastic in the oceans could reach a tipping point where the damage becomes irreversible. "If we continue on this path, we will reach a point of no return," says Dr. Emily Roberts, an environmental scientist at the University of California. She adds that despite recommendations to reduce the environmental impact of plastic disposal through stricter regulations, improved recycling infrastructure, and the promotion of biodegradable alternatives, these measures have largely been ignored.

C Even as our ability to address plastic pollution improves, so too does the total amount of plastic waste produced. This has led to increased collaboration between countries, organisations, and industries to tackle the shared threat. International agreements such as the Basel Convention have been established to regulate the movement and disposal of plastic waste. These agreements set guidelines for reducing plastic production, promoting recycling, and ensuring proper waste management. However, compliance remains a challenge, and many countries struggle to meet the targets.

D In theory, given the vastness of the oceans, plastic waste should be diluted enough to minimise harm. However, plastics do not degrade easily, and they accumulate in large patches, such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Scientists are using advanced modelling techniques to track the movement of plastic debris and identify hotspots where cleanup efforts can be most effective. "If we can pinpoint where the plastic is accumulating, we can target our efforts more efficiently," says Dr. Michael Lee, a marine biologist.

E The field of ocean plastic management is evolving, much like traffic management for air and road transportation. Advanced tracking systems are being developed to monitor plastic waste in the oceans. Similar to how air-traffic controllers manage planes, scientists are working on systems to track large plastic debris and coordinate cleanup operations. The precision of these systems varies, but the goal is to create a comprehensive database of ocean plastic pollution.

F One of the challenges is the lack of accurate data on the location and amount of plastic debris in the oceans. Dr. Sarah Thompson, a researcher at the Marine Conservation Institute, has developed a global database that integrates data from various sources, including satellite imagery and oceanographic surveys. This database helps visualise the distribution of plastic waste and identify discrepancies in reported data. "When we have conflicting information, it makes it difficult to develop effective strategies," Thompson explains.

Thompson describes herself as an environmental steward: "I want to make our oceans safe and clean for future generations." Until significant progress is made, she argues, the issue of plastic pollution will continue to worsen, affecting marine life and human health.