The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand complex texts and answer questions accurately. One increasingly common topic in recent years is the impact of climate change on global economic inequality. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance, is likely to feature in future tests as well. Let’s explore this topic through a practice reading passage and questions.
Climate change effects on global inequality
Reading Passage
Climate Change: Widening the Global Economic Gap
Climate change is often described as the most pressing challenge of our time, with far-reaching consequences for the planet and its inhabitants. While its environmental impacts are well-documented, less attention has been paid to how climate change exacerbates global economic inequality. Recent studies suggest that the effects of rising temperatures and extreme weather events are not distributed equally across the world, with developing countries bearing the brunt of the economic costs.
Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that over the past half-century, climate change has already widened the gap between the world’s richest and poorest nations by 25%. This disparity is expected to grow as global temperatures continue to rise. The study found that warmer temperatures have benefited some cooler, wealthy countries, while significantly hampering economic growth in hotter, poorer regions.
One key factor driving this inequality is the geographic distribution of climate change impacts. Many developing countries are located in tropical and subtropical regions, which are more vulnerable to rising temperatures and extreme weather events. These nations often lack the resources and infrastructure to adequately adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change, leading to decreased agricultural productivity, damage to critical infrastructure, and disruptions to economic activities.
Moreover, developing countries tend to rely more heavily on climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and fishing. As climate patterns shift and become more unpredictable, these industries face increased risks and reduced yields, directly impacting the livelihoods of millions of people. In contrast, developed nations with more diversified economies and greater technological resources are better equipped to adapt to changing conditions and even capitalize on new opportunities arising from climate change.
The economic consequences of this disparity are profound. A report by Oxfam International estimates that the world’s poorest countries lose $62 billion each year due to climate change, a figure expected to rise dramatically in coming decades. This loss of economic output further limits these nations’ ability to invest in climate resilience and adaptation measures, creating a vicious cycle of vulnerability and poverty.
International efforts to address this issue, such as the Paris Agreement and the Green Climate Fund, aim to provide financial and technological support to developing countries. However, critics argue that current commitments fall far short of what is needed to truly bridge the climate-induced economic gap. As the global community grapples with the challenges of climate change, addressing its unequal economic impacts will be crucial for achieving sustainable development and reducing global inequality.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
- Climate change has increased the economic gap between rich and poor countries by 25% over the last 50 years.
- All countries, regardless of their economic status, are equally affected by climate change.
- Developing countries are more likely to be located in regions vulnerable to extreme weather events.
- The agricultural sector in developed countries has benefited from rising temperatures.
- The Oxfam International report suggests that poor countries’ economic losses due to climate change will decrease in the future.
Multiple Choice
-
According to the passage, which of the following is a reason why developing countries are more affected by climate change?
A) They have more efficient agricultural practices
B) They lack resources to adapt to climate change
C) They have more diversified economies
D) They are less reliant on climate-sensitive sectors -
The passage suggests that developed countries are better able to cope with climate change because:
A) They experience fewer extreme weather events
B) Their economies are less dependent on agriculture
C) They have more technological resources and diversified economies
D) Climate change has no impact on their industries
Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Climate change is described as the most __ __ of our time.
- The economic impacts of climate change create a __ __ of vulnerability and poverty in developing countries.
- International efforts like the Paris Agreement aim to provide __ and __ support to developing countries.
Answer Key
- True – The passage states: “climate change has already widened the gap between the world’s richest and poorest nations by 25%.”
- False – The passage indicates that the effects are not distributed equally.
- True – The passage mentions that many developing countries are located in tropical and subtropical regions, which are more vulnerable to climate change impacts.
- Not Given – The passage does not specifically state whether agriculture in developed countries has benefited from rising temperatures.
- False – The passage states that the figure is “expected to rise dramatically in coming decades.”
- B – The passage mentions that developing countries “often lack the resources and infrastructure to adequately adapt to or mitigate the effects of climate change.”
- C – The passage states that developed nations have “more diversified economies and greater technological resources.”
- pressing challenge
- vicious cycle
- financial and technological
Common Mistakes
When tackling reading passages on complex topics like climate change and economic inequality, students often make the following mistakes:
- Overlooking key qualifiers: Words like “some,” “many,” or “often” can change the meaning of a statement. Always read carefully.
- Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the passage and avoid bringing in outside knowledge or personal opinions.
- Misinterpreting statistics: Pay close attention to the context of numerical data presented in the passage.
- Confusing correlation with causation: Be cautious about inferring causal relationships unless explicitly stated in the text.
Vocabulary
- Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – to make a problem or situation worse
- Disparity (noun) /dɪˈspærəti/ – a great difference
- Mitigate (verb) /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – to make less severe or serious
- Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – the ability to recover quickly from difficulties
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in discussing ongoing effects of climate change:
“Climate change has already widened the gap between the world’s richest and poorest nations.”
This tense is used to connect past actions with present consequences, which is particularly relevant when discussing long-term phenomena like climate change.
Tips for Success
- Practice active reading: Engage with the text by underlining key points and making mental summaries as you read.
- Improve your vocabulary: Familiarize yourself with academic and topic-specific terminology related to climate change and economics.
- Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
- Use elimination strategy: For multiple-choice questions, cross out obviously incorrect answers to increase your chances of selecting the right one.
- Stay informed: While you shouldn’t rely on outside knowledge during the test, being generally aware of global issues can help you understand passages more quickly and easily.
Remember, success in the IELTS Reading section comes from a combination of strong reading comprehension skills, effective time management, and regular practice with diverse topics. Keep working on these areas, and you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any passage that comes your way on test day.
