Reading passages

47 -From the passage, we understand that the term "homo sapiens” is ---- . 
A) a method of analysing fossils 
B) a way of referring to a large number of species of flora and fauna 
C) another term for the human race 
D) an irreplaceable ecosystem which is being destroyed 
E) a hostile environment in which many species die 
48 -The author predicts that ---- . 
A) there will be no harmful effects from so many species dying 
B) the world might be turned upside down by colliding with an asteroid 
C) mankind will find a solution to the problem 
D) more species may die out this time than ever before 
E) the human population will soon reach six billion 
Rays of sunlight travel from 150 million kilometres away, and when they reach the Earth, they 
are parallel rays. The curve of the Earth means that the rays are vertical at the Equator but at quite 
a low angle when they reach temperate latitudes. As the rays lose heat passing through the 
atmosphere, the more direct the journey, the greater the heat which penetrates through to the 
surface of the Earth. The vertical rays in equatorial latitudes mean that it is much hotter at the 
Equator than it is in the regions where the sun's rays strike at a low angle. It is these variations in 
temperature that are largely responsible for the changes in weather. 
49 -The purpose of this passage is to explain ---- . 
A) the distance between the Earth and the Sun 
B) why sun -rays travel in a vertical position 
C) why the weather is different in different parts of the Earth 

---

 
10 
D) why sun -rays are parallel when they reach the Earth 
E) the way in which the Earth goes around the Sun 
50 -From the information given in the passage, it is clear that ---- . 
A) temperate regions are cooler than equatorial regions as sun -rays travel through more 
atmosphere to reach them 
B) it is hotter in equatorial regions because they are closer to the Sun 
C) when it is summer in the northern hemisphere. It is winter in the southern hemisphere 
D) sun -rays lose heat in passing through space
E) summer is when the Earth is closest to the Sun