CELPIP Listening Part 6 Practice Test: Carbon Capture Technologies

Speaker: Today, we’ll explore carbon capture technologies, which trap and store carbon dioxide to combat climate change. This innovation prompts diverse perspectives from scientists, industry leaders, and economists about its potential and limitations. Dr. Lucas Bennett, a climate scientist, strongly supports carbon capture. He argues it can significantly reduce emissions from industries like power plants, citing projects that capture 90% of CO2 outputs. Bennett points to Norway’s carbon storage facilities, which safely store millions of tons underground. He believes it’s a critical tool for meeting global climate targets. In contrast, Emily Stone, an energy industry executive, highlights scalability challenges. Stone acknowledges the technology’s promise but argues that current systems are too expensive and energy-intensive to deploy widely. She notes that capturing one ton of CO2 can cost $100, straining budgets. Stone suggests focusing on renewable energy as a more immediate solution. Offering a balanced view, Dr. Fatima Ali, an environmental engineer, advocates for integrated climate strategies. Ali proposes combining carbon capture with renewables and efficiency measures to maximize impact. She highlights Canada’s success, where hybrid approaches have cut industrial emissions. Ali emphasizes the need for government funding to scale up capture technologies. However, Professor Daniel Park, an economist, raises concerns about long-term costs. Park supports carbon capture but warns that maintaining storage sites for centuries could burden future generations. He cites estimates suggesting monitoring costs could reach billions. Park recommends transparent cost-benefit analyses to ensure economic viability. In conclusion, carbon capture sparks varied opinions. Dr. Bennett sees it as a climate solution, while Emily Stone focuses on scalability issues. Dr. Ali favors integrated strategies, and Professor Park highlights long-term costs. I believe carbon capture can play a role if paired with funding and complementary measures, balancing innovation with economic and environmental realities.

1. Dr. Lucas Bennett argues that carbon capture primarily reduces: A. industrial emissions
2. Emily Stone’s main concern about carbon capture is: B. high costs and scalability
3. Dr. Fatima Ali supports: B. integrated climate strategies
4. Professor Daniel Park is concerned about carbon capture’s: C. long-term maintenance costs
5. The speaker mentions Norway as an example of: D. successful storage facilities
6. The speaker concludes that carbon capture should: A. include funding and complementary measures