News by Levels · Level 3 · For teachers
Teacher guide & answers
In this lesson: Evaluate what a one-year projection does and does not establish.
Carbon Forecast Shows Contrasting Trends
How to use these two pages
Give learners the student worksheet. It contains the story and questions, without the answers. Keep this guide for yourself. Use it to lead the activity and explain the answers afterwards.
Student worksheetA simple 15–20-minute lesson
- Before reading · 2 minutes
Show the title. Ask: “What do you think this story is about?”
- Read and answer · 8–10 minutes
Give out the student worksheet. Learners read for the main idea, then reread to answer the 2 questions. They can compare answers with a partner.
- Discuss and write · 5–8 minutes
Check the answers below together. Ask learners to point to the clue in the story, then finish with the open question.
Adjust the support: Let learners use word help or Level 1 if needed. For a challenge, compare the wording in another level. This activity is not a proficiency test.
Answers to the 2 questions
The question numbers match the student worksheet. Each answer includes a reason and the clue learners can find in the story.
What prevents a claim that total emissions are falling?
Correct answer: C — The assessment projects an increase including land-use change
Why: The first paragraph contrasts the fossil decrease with the total increase.
Clue in the story: The Global Carbon Project’s November 10 assessment projects a 0.4% decrease in 2026 fossil carbon dioxide emissions, while total emissions including land-use change increase.
Which claim goes beyond the assessment?
Correct answer: B — A lasting fossil emissions decline is now ensured
Why: The second paragraph explicitly says expansion is not yet fast enough to ensure a lasting decline.
Clue in the story: The report says clean energy is not yet expanding fast enough to ensure a lasting fossil emissions decline. Its 2026 figures are projections, and the report initially appears as a preprint.
The open question: accept different answers
Ask learners: Explain why the fossil projection is not proof of a lasting overall decline.
One possible answer: The projected fossil decrease is small, while total emissions including land-use change rise. Clean energy is not yet expanding fast enough to ensure a lasting fossil decline; the annual figures are projections in a preprint.
This is an example, not the only correct answer. Look for a relevant idea, a reason and the learner’s own words. Learners can answer aloud or write one or two sentences.
Grammar to discuss
Insufficient progress
not yet expanding fast enough
Not yet leaves open future progress. Enough marks the required rate, which the report says has not been reached.