IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact of Climate Change on the Global Economy

IELTS Reading is a crucial component of the IELTS exam, testing your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years and is likely to appear in future IELTS exams: “The impact of climate change on the global economy.”

Based on recent trends and the growing importance of environmental issues, this topic has a high probability of appearing in upcoming IELTS tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this challenging yet relevant subject.

Climate change impact on global economy

Practice Passage: The Economic Ripple Effects of Climate Change

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality affecting various aspects of our lives, including the global economy. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, the economic consequences are becoming increasingly apparent and far-reaching.

One of the most significant impacts of climate change on the economy is the disruption of agriculture. Changing precipitation patterns, more frequent droughts, and extreme weather events are affecting crop yields worldwide. For instance, in 2012, the United States experienced its worst drought in 50 years, resulting in crop failures and economic losses exceeding $30 billion. Such events not only affect local economies but also have ripple effects on global food prices and food security.

The tourism industry, which contributes significantly to many countries’ GDPs, is also feeling the heat. Rising sea levels and more intense storms threaten coastal resorts and island destinations. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, a major tourist attraction, has experienced severe coral bleaching due to warmer ocean temperatures, potentially costing the Australian economy billions in tourism revenue.

Infrastructure is another sector facing challenges from climate change. Extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods are causing billions of dollars in damage to roads, bridges, and buildings. The cost of adapting existing infrastructure and building more resilient new structures is enormous. For example, New York City has estimated that it needs to invest $19.5 billion to prepare for rising sea levels and storm surges.

The insurance industry is grappling with increased payouts due to climate-related disasters. In 2017, global insured losses from natural disasters reached a record $135 billion, largely due to hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. As climate risks escalate, insurance premiums are likely to rise, potentially making coverage unaffordable for many businesses and individuals.

However, the transition to a low-carbon economy also presents economic opportunities. The renewable energy sector is growing rapidly, creating new jobs and industries. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency, the sector employed 11 million people globally in 2018, a figure that’s expected to rise to 42 million by 2050.

In conclusion, while the economic impacts of climate change are largely negative, they vary across regions and sectors. Developed countries may have more resources to adapt, but developing nations are often more vulnerable. As the world grapples with this global challenge, international cooperation and innovative solutions will be crucial in mitigating the economic fallout and seizing new opportunities in a changing climate.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

1. Climate change is affecting crop yields globally.
2. The 2012 drought in the United States resulted in economic losses of exactly $30 billion.
3. Rising sea levels pose a threat to the tourism industry in coastal areas.
4. All countries are equally affected by the economic impacts of climate change.
5. The insurance industry is benefiting from increased climate-related disasters.

Multiple Choice

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an economic impact of climate change?
   A) Disruption of agriculture
   B) Damage to infrastructure
   C) Increase in manufacturing productivity
   D) Effects on the tourism industry

7. The Great Barrier Reef is mentioned in the passage as an example of:
   A) A successful climate change adaptation strategy
   B) A tourist attraction affected by climate change
   C) A major contributor to Australia’s GDP
   D) A cause of rising sea levels

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. There are more headings than paragraphs, so you will not use all of them.

8. Paragraph 2
9. Paragraph 4
10. Paragraph 6

Headings:
A) Agricultural Challenges
B) The Rise of Renewable Energy
C) Climate Change and Global Trade
D) Infrastructure Under Pressure
E) The Insurance Dilemma
F) Tourism in Peril

Short Answer Questions

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

11. What type of weather event caused significant crop failures in the United States in 2012?
12. What phenomenon affecting the Great Barrier Reef is mentioned in the passage?
13. How many people were employed in the renewable energy sector globally in 2018?

Answer Key and Explanations

1. True – The passage states that “Changing precipitation patterns, more frequent droughts, and extreme weather events are affecting crop yields worldwide.”
2. False – The passage mentions that the losses exceeded $30 billion, not that they were exactly $30 billion.
3. True – The text mentions that “Rising sea levels and more intense storms threaten coastal resorts and island destinations.”
4. Not Given – The passage doesn’t explicitly compare the impact on all countries equally.
5. False – The passage suggests that the insurance industry is facing increased payouts and challenges, not benefits.
6. C – The passage does not mention anything about manufacturing productivity increasing due to climate change.
7. B – The Great Barrier Reef is mentioned as an example of a tourist attraction affected by climate change through coral bleaching.
8. A – This paragraph discusses how climate change is affecting agriculture globally.
9. D – This paragraph talks about the challenges faced by infrastructure due to climate change.
10. B – This paragraph discusses the opportunities in the renewable energy sector.
11. Worst drought
12. Coral bleaching
13. 11 million

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: In question 2, the exact figure is important. The passage states “exceeding $30 billion,” not “exactly $30 billion.”
2. Confusing Not Given with False: For question 4, while the passage discusses different impacts on developed and developing countries, it doesn’t explicitly state that all countries are equally affected.
3. Misinterpreting implied information: In question 5, the increased payouts by insurance companies might seem beneficial, but the context suggests it’s a challenge for the industry.

Vocabulary

1. Ripple effects (noun) /ˈrɪp.əl ɪˌfekts/ – the continuing and spreading results of an event or action
2. Precipitation (noun) /prɪˌsɪp.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/ – rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground
3. Drought (noun) /draʊt/ – a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain
4. Coral bleaching (noun phrase) /ˈkɒr.əl ˈbliː.tʃɪŋ/ – the process by which corals lose their color due to stress, often caused by warm water temperatures
5. Grappling (verb) /ˈɡræp.əlɪŋ/ – struggling or dealing with a difficult problem or situation

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in the passage, such as:

“Climate change has become a present reality affecting various aspects of our lives.”

This tense is used to connect past events with the present situation, which is particularly relevant when discussing ongoing issues like climate change.

Tips for High Scores in IELTS Reading

1. Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly skim the passage for main ideas, then scan for specific details when answering questions.
3. Pay attention to keywords: Identify key terms in both the passage and questions to locate relevant information quickly.
4. Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with different question types and passage structures through consistent practice.
5. Improve your vocabulary: Build your knowledge of academic and topic-specific words to enhance comprehension.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of strong English skills, effective strategies, and familiarity with the test format. Keep practicing with diverse topics like the impact of economic globalization and the importance of cultural exchange programs to broaden your knowledge and improve your reading skills. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!