The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: “The effects of climate change on natural resources.” This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to continue featuring in future tests.
Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, we predict a high probability of encountering passages related to climate change and its impact on natural resources. Let’s dive into a practice exercise that will help you prepare for this type of reading text.
Reading Passage
The Impact of Climate Change on Natural Resources
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, with far-reaching consequences for the planet’s natural resources. As global temperatures rise, we are witnessing profound changes in ecosystems, weather patterns, and the availability of vital resources. This article explores the multifaceted effects of climate change on our natural world.
One of the most visible impacts of climate change is on water resources. Rising temperatures are altering precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and severe droughts in some regions, while others experience increased flooding. This shift affects not only the quantity but also the quality of available freshwater. In coastal areas, rising sea levels are causing saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, further compromising water supplies for millions of people.
Forests, often called the “lungs of the Earth,” are also under threat. Higher temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are stressing many forest ecosystems, making them more susceptible to pests, diseases, and wildfires. The Amazon rainforest, for instance, has experienced unprecedented droughts and fires in recent years, potentially pushing this vital ecosystem towards a tipping point where it could transform into a savanna-like landscape.
Climate change impact on forests
The world’s oceans, which cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface, are not immune to the effects of climate change. As they absorb excess heat from the atmosphere, ocean temperatures are rising, leading to coral bleaching events that threaten entire reef ecosystems. Moreover, the increased absorption of carbon dioxide is causing ocean acidification, which poses a significant threat to marine life, particularly shellfish and other calcifying organisms.
Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is also at risk. As temperatures change, many species are forced to migrate to new habitats or face extinction. This shift is happening faster than many species can adapt, leading to a decline in biodiversity hotspots around the world. The loss of biodiversity not only affects ecosystems but also has implications for human societies that rely on these natural resources for food, medicine, and livelihoods.
Agricultural systems, crucial for global food security, are experiencing significant challenges due to climate change. Shifting weather patterns are altering growing seasons and crop yields, while extreme weather events like heatwaves, floods, and storms can devastate harvests. In some regions, formerly productive agricultural lands are becoming unsuitable for cultivation, forcing farmers to adapt their practices or relocate.
The cryosphere – the frozen parts of the Earth’s surface – is particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures. The melting of glaciers and ice sheets not only contributes to sea-level rise but also affects freshwater availability for millions of people who rely on glacial meltwater. In the Arctic, the loss of sea ice is altering entire ecosystems and opening up new shipping routes, with complex geopolitical implications.
As we grapple with these challenges, it’s clear that the effects of climate change on natural resources are interconnected and far-reaching. Addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach that includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and developing adaptive strategies to manage our natural resources in a changing world. The choices we make today will have profound implications for the health of our planet and the well-being of future generations.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Determine if the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Climate change is causing more frequent droughts in all regions of the world.
- Rising sea levels are leading to saltwater contamination of freshwater sources in coastal areas.
- The Amazon rainforest could potentially transform into a savanna-like landscape due to climate change.
- Ocean acidification primarily affects mammals living in the ocean.
- Climate change is causing all species to migrate to new habitats.
- Agricultural productivity is increasing globally due to changing weather patterns.
- The melting of glaciers contributes to rising sea levels.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an effect of climate change on forests?
A) Increased susceptibility to pests
B) Greater risk of wildfires
C) Enhanced carbon sequestration
D) Vulnerability to diseasesThe term “cryosphere” refers to:
A) The atmosphere surrounding the Earth
B) The frozen parts of the Earth’s surface
C) The deepest parts of the ocean
D) The planet’s biodiversity hotspotsWhich of the following best describes the passage’s stance on addressing climate change impacts?
A) It’s too late to make any meaningful changes
B) Only technological solutions can solve the problem
C) A comprehensive approach including emission reduction and ecosystem protection is needed
D) Individual actions are sufficient to address the issues
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-x) next to questions 11-15.
i. The Threat to Marine Ecosystems
ii. Agricultural Challenges in a Changing Climate
iii. Water Resources Under Pressure
iv. The Interconnected Nature of Climate Change Impacts
v. Forests: The Endangered Lungs of the Earth
vi. Biodiversity Loss and Its Consequences
vii. The Melting Cryosphere
viii. Climate Change: An Overview
ix. Future Scenarios for Natural Resources
x. Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change
- Paragraph 2 __
- Paragraph 3 __
- Paragraph 4 __
- Paragraph 5 __
- Paragraph 7 __
Answer Key
False – The passage states that some regions experience more frequent droughts while others experience increased flooding.
True – The passage mentions “rising sea levels are causing saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers.”
True – The passage states that the Amazon rainforest could “transform into a savanna-like landscape.”
False – The passage specifically mentions that ocean acidification threatens “shellfish and other calcifying organisms.”
False – The passage states that “many species are forced to migrate,” not all species.
False – The passage indicates that climate change is causing challenges for agricultural systems, not increasing productivity.
True – The passage explicitly states that “The melting of glaciers and ice sheets not only contributes to sea-level rise…”
C – Enhanced carbon sequestration is not mentioned as an effect of climate change on forests.
B – The passage defines the cryosphere as “the frozen parts of the Earth’s surface.”
C – The passage concludes by stating that addressing these issues requires a comprehensive approach including emission reduction and ecosystem protection.
iii – Water Resources Under Pressure
v – Forests: The Endangered Lungs of the Earth
i – The Threat to Marine Ecosystems
vi – Biodiversity Loss and Its Consequences
vii – The Melting Cryosphere
Common Mistakes
When tackling a reading passage like this, students often make the following mistakes:
Overthinking True/False/Not Given questions: Remember, if the information isn’t explicitly stated in the text, the answer is “Not Given.”
Misinterpreting Multiple Choice questions: Always read all options carefully and choose the one that best matches the information in the passage.
Rushing through Matching Headings: Take time to understand the main idea of each paragraph before matching it with a heading.
Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not on external knowledge about climate change.
Mismanaging time: This passage is quite long and detailed. Practice time management to ensure you can answer all questions within the allotted time.
Vocabulary
Here are some challenging words from the passage, along with their definitions:
Multifaceted (adjective) /ˌmʌl.tiˈfæs.ɪ.tɪd/: Having many different aspects or features.
Aquifers (noun) /ˈæk.wɪ.fər/: A layer of rock or soil that can absorb and hold water.
Unprecedented (adjective) /ʌnˈpres.ɪ.den.tɪd/: Never having happened or existed in the past.
Tipping point (noun) /ˈtɪp.ɪŋ ˌpɔɪnt/: The point at which a series of small changes becomes significant enough to cause a larger, more important change.
Acidification (noun) /əˌsɪd.ɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/: The process of becoming acid or being converted into an acid.
Calcifying (adjective) /ˈkæl.sɪ.faɪ.ɪŋ/: Forming a hard, bony substance by depositing calcium salts.
Cryosphere (noun) /ˈkraɪ.ə.sfɪər/: The frozen water part of the Earth system.
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage. For example:
“The choices we make today will have profound implications for the health of our planet and the well-being of future generations.”
This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to talk about a possible future result of a present action. The structure is:
If/When + present simple, … will + infinitive
Practice forming similar sentences to discuss potential future outcomes of current climate-related actions.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
Improve your reading speed: Practice reading academic texts regularly to increase your reading speed without sacrificing comprehension.
Develop your vocabulary: Focus on learning academic and topic-specific vocabulary. The words listed above are a good start for climate change-related texts.
Practice skimming and scanning: These techniques will help you quickly locate specific information in the text.
Analyze the question types: Familiarize yourself with different question formats (like those in this practice) and develop strategies for each.
Manage your time effectively: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
Read actively: Engage with the text by underlining key points and making mental notes as you read.
Don’t leave any questions unanswered: If you’re unsure, make an educated guess. There’s no penalty for incorrect answers in IELTS.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and familiarity with various topics. Climate change and its effects on natural resources is just one of many potential subjects you might encounter. Stay informed about global issues and continue to challenge yourself with diverse reading materials.
For more practice on related topics, you might want to check out our articles on the effects of global warming on weather extremes and the impact of climate change on polar ice caps. These will provide additional context and vocabulary that could be useful in your IELTS preparation.