Задание

Read and choose the correct answers

Clouds are masses of water vapour floating in the sky. What are the main functions of clouds? First of all, clouds help regulate the Earth's energy balance by reflecting solar radiation and by absorbing the Earth's infrared radiation. Secondly, clouds help distribute heat from the equator toward the poles. Thirdly, clouds return water (in the form of precipitation) to the oceans and landmasses across the globe.

What would happen if all the clouds disappeared? The situation seems unrealistic. But is it really so?

Researchers used a simulation to show that, if greenhouse gases continue to warm the planet, the clouds may disappear in the next 150 years. The absence of clouds could lead to creating a "hothouse Earth" climate. What is it? "The hothouse Earth" is a period in which there are no glaciers on the planet, and the levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are very high.

All in all, there would be no life. At least, it would not be the same as we know it if the Earth did not have clouds.

Greenhouse gases warm the planet.

The clouds could disappear if the planet cooled down.

Life wouldn't change without clouds.

The clouds may disappear in the next 150 years if gases continue to warm the planet.