Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the correct answer to each of the questions from 27 to 32.
The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has driven big tech share prices to fresh highs. However, this progress carries environmental consequences. The energy requirements of AI technology pose a significant threat to the climate objectives of the tech sector. Data centers, which play a vital role in developing and operating AI models, consume substantial amounts of electricity and contribute to CO2 emissions.
According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption from data centres could double by 2026, equal to Japan’s current energy demand. According to a study by research company SemiAnalysis, AI could lead to data centres consuming 4.5% of the global energy generation by 2030. Water usage is also a matter of concern, as estimates indicate that AI could lead to the use of up to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water by 2027.
Experts emphasize the significance of considering the carbon footprint of the energy sources used by tech companies when evaluating the environmental impact of AI. Although efforts are underway to reduce the energy consumption of AI systems, there is still a substantial reliance on energy-intensive processes for training AI models.
The primary challenge lies in finding ways to reduce the environmental impact of AI while continuing to pursue technological progress. Balancing the insatiable energy demands of the AI arms race with the need to mitigate climate change is a pressing issue that the tech industry must address.
(Adapted from https://datacentremagazine.com)
Question 27: What is the passage mainly about?
A. The recent surge in the stock market of big tech companies.
B. The climate challenges are owing to the rapid development of AI.
C. The development of data centres for AI model training.
D. The water consumption challenges faced by the tech industry.
Question 28: The word “vital” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to __________ .
A. crucial B. requisite C. fundamental D. necessary
Question 29: According to paragraph 2, why are data centres a threat to the climate objectives of the tech sector?
A. Their reliance on expensive and unreliable energy sources.
B. Their excessive energy use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
C. Their rapidly growing water consumption outpaces innovation.
D. Their immense electricity consumption for operation is substantial.
Question 30: Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage?
A. The escalating power requirements of AI development pose a significant environmental dilemma.
B. The tech industry is actively seeking methods to lower the environmental impact of AI.
C. There is a trade-off between developing AI and minimizing the industry’s environmental footprint.
D. By 2030, AI-powered data centres could account for nearly half of all global energy consumption.
Question 31: The word “mitigate” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to __________ .
A. aggravate B. accelerate C. decelerate D. alleviate
Question 32: How many of the following statements can be inferred from the passage as INCORRECT?
a) The rapid growth of AI has had a positive impact on the environment.
b) The International Energy Agency predicts data centre energy consumption will remain flat by 2026.
c) The use of AI could lead to a substantial increase in water consumption.
d) The tech industry faces a challenge in balancing progress with environmental responsibility.
e) Efforts are being made to reduce dependence on energy-intensive processes.
A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4.
Question 27: What is the passage mainly about?
A. The recent surge in the stock market of big tech companies.
B. The climate challenges are owing to the rapid development of AI.
C. The development of data centres for AI model training.
D. The water consumption challenges faced by the tech industry.
Question 28: The word “vital” in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to __________ .
A. crucial B. requisite C. fundamental D. necessary
Question 29: According to paragraph 2, why are data centres a threat to the climate objectives of the tech sector?
A. Their reliance on expensive and unreliable energy sources.
B. Their excessive energy use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
C. Their rapidly growing water consumption outpaces innovation.
D. Their immense electricity consumption for operation is substantial.
Question 30: Which of the following is NOT true, according to the passage?
A. The escalating power requirements of AI development pose a significant environmental dilemma.
B. The tech industry is actively seeking methods to lower the environmental impact of AI.
C. There is a trade-off between developing AI and minimizing the industry’s environmental footprint.
D. By 2030, AI-powered data centres could account for nearly half of all global energy consumption.
Question 31: The word “mitigate” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to __________ .
A. aggravate B. accelerate C. decelerate D. alleviate
Question 32: How many of the following statements can be inferred from the passage as INCORRECT?
a) The rapid growth of AI has had a positive impact on the environment.
b) The International Energy Agency predicts data centre energy consumption will remain flat by 2026.
c) The use of AI could lead to a substantial increase in water consumption.
d) The tech industry faces a challenge in balancing progress with environmental responsibility.
e) Efforts are being made to reduce dependence on energy-intensive processes.
A. 1. B. 2. C. 3. D. 4.
