The IELTS Reading test is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, assessing the reading skills of candidates by presenting them with passages of increasing difficulty. The topic of climate justice has become increasingly prevalent in recent years due to its pertinence to global socio-political conversations. This topic has appeared in various forms on past IELTS exams and is likely to reappear due to its continuing relevance.
In this article, I aim to provide a comprehensive reading practice exercise revolving around the topic “What are the challenges of achieving climate justice?” This will include a full reading passage formatted according to the IELTS standards, a series of related questions, detailed answers and explanations, some key vocabulary, and relevant grammar points.
Reading Passage: The Challenges of Achieving Climate Justice
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
Paragraph A:
Climate justice intertwines environmental protection with human rights, emphasizing that those least responsible for climate change often suffer its gravest consequences. This principle insists on fair treatment for all people regardless of race, nationality, or income level when addressing climate change. However, achieving climate justice represents a significant challenge, predominantly due to economic disparities, political interests, and historical emissions.
Paragraph B:
One of the foremost challenges is the economic disparity between developed and developing countries. Developed nations, having industrialized earlier, have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions. Conversely, developing countries, which are more vulnerable to climate change impacts, often lack the resources needed for adequate mitigation and adaptation strategies. This disparity necessitates financial support from wealthier nations, yet consensus on such aid is often elusive.
Paragraph C:
Political interests further complicate climate justice. Governments must balance environmental policies with economic growth and national interests. Some nations, heavily reliant on fossil fuel industries, resist transitioning to greener alternatives due to potential economic fallout. This resistance hampers global efforts toward equitable climate action and exacerbates injustices faced by marginalized communities.
Paragraph D:
Historical emissions and responsibility allocation also pose significant obstacles. Establishing a fair system for mitigating climate change requires holding countries accountable for their past emissions while considering their current capacities. This historical accountability is contentious, with developed nations sometimes reluctant to assume their proportional responsibility.
Paragraph E:
Despite these challenges, various international efforts seek to promote climate justice. Agreements such as the Paris Accord encourage global cooperation in reducing emissions and supporting vulnerable nations. Grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations play pivotal roles in advocating for policy changes and raising awareness about climate justice.
Paragraph F:
Achieving climate justice remains an intricate endeavor requiring concerted global efforts. While significant barriers exist, continued dialogue and cooperative initiatives offer hope for a just and sustainable future.
Climate Justice Concept
Questions
Multiple Choice
According to the passage, which principle is central to the concept of climate justice?
- A. Technological advancement
- B. Environmental protection and human rights
- C. Economic growth
- D. Political stability
What is a significant challenge to achieving climate justice mentioned in Paragraph B?
- A. Technology deficits
- B. Political instability
- C. Economic disparity
- D. Cultural differences
Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
Developed nations are primarily responsible for future greenhouse gas emissions. (True/False/Not Given)
The Paris Accord is the only agreement mentioned that encourages efforts towards climate justice. (True/False/Not Given)
Matching Information
- Match the following descriptions with the correct paragraph:
- A. Role of grassroots movements
- B. Economic effects of fossil fuel dependency
- C. Financial support for developing countries
Sentence Completion
- Climate justice emphasizes fair treatment for all people ____ when addressing climate change.
Short-answer Questions
- Name one international effort that seeks to promote climate justice mentioned in the passage.
Answer Key
B. Environmental protection and human rights
- Explanation: The passage specifically mentions that climate justice intertwines environmental protection with human rights, which is central to its principle.
C. Economic disparity
- Explanation: Paragraph B discusses the economic disparity between developed and developing countries as a significant challenge to achieving climate justice.
False
- Explanation: The passage mentions that developed nations have historically contributed more to greenhouse gas emissions, rather than stating they are responsible for future emissions.
False
- Explanation: The passage also mentions grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations playing roles in climate justice efforts, not just the Paris Accord.
- A – Paragraph E
- B – Paragraph C
- C – Paragraph B
regardless of race, nationality, or income level
- Explanation: The passage states climate justice insists on fair treatment for all people regardless of race, nationality, or income level when addressing climate change.
The Paris Accord
- Explanation: The passage mentions the Paris Accord as an international effort to promote climate justice.
Common Mistakes and Lessons
- Mistakes involving understanding the main idea often occur. Candidates should practice identifying key points of each paragraph.
- Misinterpreting the matching information questions is common. It’s crucial to practice scanning and locating relevant information quickly.
Vocabulary
- Mitigation (noun) /mɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
- Adaptation (noun) /ædæpˈteɪʃən/ – The process of adjusting to new conditions.
- Disparity (noun) /dɪsˈpærɪti/ – A great difference.
- Grassroots (noun) /ɡrɑːsruːts/ – The most basic level of an activity or organization.
Grammar
Complex sentence structure: Many sentences in the passage are complex, combining multiple ideas and clauses. Example:
- Sentence: “While significant barriers exist, continued dialogue and cooperative initiatives offer hope for a just and sustainable future.”
- Analysis: This sentence uses a complex structure to join the contrast (“while”) and a hopeful outcome.
Tips for Practice
- Regular reading practice: Engage with various topics including environmental issues, politics, and social justice to familiarize yourself with complex texts.
- Time management: Allocate specific time slots for each passage during practice to simulate real testing conditions.
- Active note-taking: While reading, underline key points, unfamiliar terms, and complex sentences to improve retention and understanding.
By integrating these approaches, candidates can enhance their proficiency in tackling the IELTS Reading section and stay informed about crucial global issues.