IELTS Reading Practice: Benefits of Plant-Based Diets for Health and the Environment

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing candidates’ ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: the benefits of plant-based diets for health and the environment. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its growing importance, is likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic.

Benefits of plant-based diets

Practice Passage: The Rise of Plant-Based Diets

Text

In recent years, plant-based diets have gained substantial popularity, driven by growing concerns about personal health and environmental sustainability. This dietary approach, which emphasizes consuming foods derived from plants while minimizing or eliminating animal products, has been linked to numerous health benefits and a reduced environmental footprint.

From a health perspective, plant-based diets have been associated with lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that following a plant-based diet was associated with a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 32% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. This is largely attributed to the high intake of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.

Moreover, plant-based diets typically result in lower body mass index (BMI) and reduced risk of obesity. A meta-analysis of 12 studies involving over 1,100 participants showed that those following plant-based diets lost an average of 4.5 pounds more than those on non-vegetarian diets over an 18-week period. This weight loss can lead to improved insulin sensitivity and better management of type 2 diabetes.

From an environmental standpoint, the benefits of plant-based diets are equally compelling. Animal agriculture is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. A study by the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from one’s diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73%. Additionally, plant-based diets require significantly less water and land use compared to diets high in animal products.

However, it’s important to note that not all plant-based diets are created equal. Highly processed vegan foods can still be high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Nutritionists emphasize the importance of focusing on whole, minimally processed plant foods to reap the full health benefits of a plant-based diet.

As awareness of these benefits grows, many countries and institutions are promoting plant-based eating. For instance, the EAT-Lancet Commission has proposed a “planetary health diet” that is predominantly plant-based, aiming to improve human health while ensuring environmentally sustainable food production.

In conclusion, the shift towards plant-based diets represents a promising approach to addressing both personal health concerns and global environmental challenges. As research continues to underscore the benefits of this dietary pattern, it is likely that plant-based eating will play an increasingly important role in public health policies and environmental strategies worldwide.

Questions

1. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a health benefit of plant-based diets?
   A) Lower risk of heart disease
   B) Reduced risk of certain cancers
   C) Improved bone density
   D) Better management of type 2 diabetes

2. According to the passage, plant-based diets can reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to:
   A) 16%
   B) 32%
   C) 73%
   D) 4.5%

3. The study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that following a plant-based diet was associated with:
   A) A 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease
   B) A 32% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease
   C) Both A and B
   D) Neither A nor B

4. True/False/Not Given: All plant-based diets are equally healthy.

5. True/False/Not Given: The EAT-Lancet Commission’s proposed “planetary health diet” is exclusively vegan.

6. True/False/Not Given: Plant-based diets require more water and land use compared to diets high in animal products.

7. What is the main reason given for the weight loss associated with plant-based diets?
   (Complete the sentence)
   Plant-based diets typically result in lower ___ and reduced risk of obesity.

8-10. Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Plant-based diets offer significant benefits for both personal health and (8) sustainability. From a health perspective, these diets are associated with lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. They are also effective for (9) , with studies showing greater weight loss compared to non-vegetarian diets. Environmentally, plant-based diets can substantially reduce an individual’s (10) ___ and require less water and land use than diets high in animal products.

Answers and Explanations

1. C) Improved bone density
   Explanation: The passage mentions lower risks of heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes as health benefits of plant-based diets. Improved bone density is not mentioned in the text.

2. C) 73%
   Explanation: The passage states, “A study by the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from one’s diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.”

3. C) Both A and B
   Explanation: The passage mentions both percentages: “A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that following a plant-based diet was associated with a 16% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and a 32% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.”

4. False
   Explanation: The passage states, “However, it’s important to note that not all plant-based diets are created equal. Highly processed vegan foods can still be high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats.”

5. Not Given
   Explanation: The passage mentions that the EAT-Lancet Commission proposed a “planetary health diet” that is predominantly plant-based, but it doesn’t specify whether it’s exclusively vegan or not.

6. False
   Explanation: The passage states the opposite: “Additionally, plant-based diets require significantly less water and land use compared to diets high in animal products.”

7. body mass index
   Explanation: The sentence in the passage reads, “Plant-based diets typically result in lower body mass index (BMI) and reduced risk of obesity.”

8. environmental

9. weight loss

10. carbon footprint

Explanation for 8-10: These answers are taken directly from the passage and fit the context of the summary.

Common Mistakes

When tackling reading passages like this one, students often make the following mistakes:

1. Overlooking specific details: In questions like number 1, students might rush and miss that “improved bone density” was not mentioned.
2. Confusing percentages: With multiple statistics mentioned, it’s easy to mix up numbers as in question 2.
3. Misinterpreting True/False/Not Given questions: Students often struggle to distinguish between “False” and “Not Given” as seen in questions 4-6.
4. Exceeding word limits: In summary completion tasks, students sometimes use more words than allowed.

Vocabulary

Here are some challenging words from the passage:

1. Sustainability (noun) /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/: The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
2. Compelling (adjective) /kəmˈpelɪŋ/: Convincing or strongly persuasive.
3. Meta-analysis (noun) /ˌmetəəˈnæləsɪs/: A statistical technique for combining the findings from independent studies.
4. Deforestation (noun) /diːˌfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/: The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
5. Footprint (noun) /ˈfʊtprɪnt/: In this context, the impact (especially on the environment) of human activity.

Grammar

Pay attention to these grammatical structures:

1. Present Perfect Continuous: “Plant-based diets have been gaining substantial popularity” – Used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

2. Passive Voice: “Plant-based diets have been associated with lower risks” – Used to emphasize the action rather than the doer of the action.

3. Comparative Structures: “Plant-based diets require significantly less water and land use compared to diets high in animal products” – Used to highlight differences between two things.

Tips for High Scores in IELTS Reading

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test.
2. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify key information without reading every word.
3. Pay attention to qualifiers: Words like “some,” “many,” “often” can change the meaning of a statement.
4. Don’t rely on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage.
5. Read the instructions carefully: Ensure you understand what each question is asking and follow word limits precisely.

By practicing with passages like this and focusing on improving your weaknesses, you can enhance your performance in the IELTS Reading section. Remember, consistent practice and familiarity with various question types are key to achieving a high score.

For more practice on similar topics, you might find our articles on how to improve gut health and the benefits of plant-based diets for environmental sustainability helpful. These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary related to health and environmental topics, which are increasingly common in IELTS exams.