How is climate change influencing global migration trends?

The IELTS Reading section is designed to test a candidate’s ability to understand and analyze texts. One increasingly popular topic is climate change and its impact on global migration trends. Given the relevance and frequency of this topic in recent years, it is highly likely to feature in future IELTS exams. This article aims to help you prepare for such a topic by providing a full-fledged reading exercise, comprehension questions, answers, key vocabulary, and grammatical structures.

Main Content

Practice Reading Passage: Medium Text

Climate Change and Global Migration

Climate change is significantly altering the patterns of global migration. As extreme weather events become more frequent, sea levels rise, and agricultural productivity declines, millions of people are being forced to leave their homes in search of more hospitable environments. This phenomenon, often referred to as “climate migration,” presents both challenges and opportunities for the global community.

Climate Migration

One of the most observable impacts of climate change is the increased frequency of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts. These events destroy homes, infrastructure, and arable land, pushing affected populations to migrate either temporarily or permanently. For example, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti displaced over a million people, many of whom sought refuge in neighboring countries.

Questions

Multiple Choice

1. What is one of the primary reasons for the increased rate of global migration due to climate change?

   • A. Economic opportunities
   • B. Educational opportunities
   • C. Natural disasters
   • D. Healthcare facilities

2. What is a notable outcome of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti mentioned in the passage?

   • A. Increased agricultural productivity
   • B. Economic prosperity
   • C. Mass displacement of over a million people
   • D. Decline in educational standards

True/False/Not Given

1. Climate change only affects migration in coastal areas. (False)

2. The article claims that agricultural productivity is increasing due to climate change. (False)

Matching Information

Match the statement with the corresponding paragraph:

1. This paragraph discusses the impact of natural disasters on migration.
2. This paragraph provides a specific historical example of climate migration.

• A. Paragraph 1
• B. Paragraph 2

Answer Keys

Multiple Choice

1. C. Natural disasters
2. C. Mass displacement of over a million people

True/False/Not Given

1. False
2. False

Matching Information

1. A. Paragraph 1
2. B. Paragraph 2

Common Mistakes

1. Misreading Questions: Always read questions carefully and make sure you understand what is being asked before selecting your answer.
2. Overlooking Details: Pay attention to specific details in the passage which can often be the key to finding the correct answers.
3. Skipping Unfamiliar Vocabulary: Try to understand the context of unfamiliar words instead of skipping them, as they can provide important clues.

Vocabulary

Here are some challenging words from the passage:

• Migration /maɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/: the movement of people from one place to another
• Disaster /dɪˈzæs.tər/: an event that results in great damage or harm
• Arable /ˈær.ə.bəl/: suitable for growing crops
• Refuge /ˈref.juːdʒ/: shelter or protection from danger

Grammar

Passive Voice: The passive voice is used to emphasize the action rather than the subject performing the action.

• Structure: [subject] + [auxiliary verb ‘to be’] + [past participle]
• Example: “Millions of people are being forced to leave their homes.”

Tips for High IELTS Reading Scores

1. Skimming and Scanning: Develop skills to quickly locate information in the text.
2. Practice Regularly: Consistently practice reading passages and complete related questions to build your speed and comprehension.
3. Familiarize with Question Types: Understand various question types you may encounter in the IELTS Reading section.
4. Expand Vocabulary: An extensive vocabulary will make it easier to understand passages.

By thoroughly preparing for the IELTS Reading section, especially focusing on trending topics like climate change and global migration, you can significantly improve your chances of achieving a high score.