The 21st century presents humanity with a complex web of interconnected challenges. Among the most pressing are racial discrimination, global warming, and earthquake prediction. While seemingly disparate, these issues share underlying threads of societal inequality, scientific uncertainty, and the urgent need for global cooperation. Racial discrimination, a persistent stain on human history, manifests in various forms, from overt prejudice and violence to subtle biases embedded in systems and institutions. Its consequences are devastating, leading to disparities in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. The fight against racism demands not only legal reforms but also a fundamental shift in societal attitudes and behaviors. Global warming, driven by human activities, poses an existential threat to our planet. The rising global temperature is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events, sea-level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems. Addressing climate change requires a global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and adapt to the unavoidable impacts of a warming world. Scientific consensus underscores the urgency of action, yet political and economic obstacles remain significant. Earthquake prediction, while a long-sought scientific goal, remains elusive. Despite advancements in seismology, accurately predicting the time, location, and magnitude of earthquakes remains a challenge. The inability to predict earthquakes effectively contributes to significant loss of life and property damage. This underscores the need for improved early warning systems, stricter building codes in high-risk areas, and community preparedness programs. The scientific uncertainty surrounding earthquake prediction highlights the complexities of natural hazards and the limitations of our current understanding. These three issues—racial discrimination, global warming, and earthquake prediction—are distinct yet interconnected. Addressing them requires a multifaceted approach that integrates scientific research, policy changes, social justice initiatives, and international collaboration. The challenge lies in acknowledging the complexity of these problems, fostering global cooperation, and prioritizing sustainable solutions for a more equitable and resilient future.
1. Which of the following best describes the author's main point in the passage?
2. According to the passage, what is a common thread linking racial discrimination, global warming, and earthquake prediction?
3. What is the passage's perspective on the predictability of earthquakes?
4. The passage suggests that effective solutions to racial discrimination require: