II. Design FIVE integrated reading questions for the new General Scholastic Ability Test (新型學測混合題型). Include at least three different types (e.g., multiple-choice, matching, table completion, short-answer, true/false, blank-filling). The article doesn't need to be rewritten. Provide the correct answer for each question. (25%)

          The increasingly early blooming of cherry blossoms has become a striking and observable sign of climate change. Drawing on a remarkable 1,200-year record from Kyoto, scientists have found that the timing of cherry blossom blooms has shifted significantly—now occurring nearly two weeks earlier than in the mid-19th century. This extensive historical dataset provides strong evidence that today's climate conditions are unlike anything previously experienced, surpassing earlier fluctuations such as the Medieval Warm Period and the Little Ice Age.

          This shift is largely driven by global warming, which is primarily caused by human activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels. Rising temperatures have accelerated the arrival of spring, leading to earlier flowering not only in Kyoto but also in other regions, including Washington, D.C. Although scientists in the United States have identified a consistent trend toward earlier blooming, they have not yet conclusively attributed it to human-induced climate change, partly because other factors, such as the urban heat island effect, may also play a role. In contrast, Kyoto's long-term records enable researchers to directly connect earlier bloom dates to anthropogenic climate change.

         Recent data further corroborates this pattern. Kyoto experienced record-breaking early blooms in 2020, 2021, and 2023, and research indicates that climate change has already advanced peak bloom timing by approximately 11 days. Under moderate emissions scenarios, projections suggest that blossoms could appear nearly another week earlier by the end of the century.
 
        These changes are not merely visual; they carry serious ecological implications. Earlier blooming may disrupt the synchronization between flowers and their pollinators, while also increasing the risk of damage from unexpected late frosts. The consequences extend beyond ornamental trees. Fruit-bearing species such as apples and peaches face similar challenges, particularly if warmer winters fail to provide the cold conditions necessary for proper dormancy. Without sufficient chilling periods, some trees may not flower at all, posing risks to agricultural production.

        At the same time, cherry blossoms continue to hold both scientific and cultural importance. They serve as valuable indicators for tracking environmental change while also symbolizing renewal and seasonal transition. However, their increasingly early appearance underscores the urgency of reducing carbon emissions to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change.