IELTS Reading Practice: Challenges in Managing Global Water Resources

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand complex texts and answer various question types. One recurring theme in IELTS Reading passages is environmental issues, particularly water resource management. Based on recent trends and the growing importance of this topic, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter a passage about “Challenges in Managing Global Water Resources” in your IELTS exam.

Let’s dive into a practice passage on this crucial subject to help you prepare for your IELTS Reading test.

Practice Passage: Global Water Resource Management

The Growing Water Crisis

Water is essential for life, yet managing this precious resource on a global scale is becoming increasingly challenging. As the world’s population continues to grow and climate change alters weather patterns, the demand for fresh water is outpacing supply in many regions. This imbalance is leading to what experts call a “global water crisis,” with far-reaching implications for human health, food security, and economic development.

One of the primary challenges in managing global water resources is the uneven distribution of freshwater across the planet. While some areas have abundant water supplies, others face severe scarcity. For instance, countries in the Middle East and North Africa, home to 6% of the world’s population, possess only 1% of the planet’s freshwater resources. This disparity often leads to geopolitical tensions and conflicts over water rights.

Global water scarcity map

Climate change is exacerbating the water crisis by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events. Droughts are becoming more prolonged and severe in some areas, while others experience more intense flooding. These changes make it difficult for water managers to predict and plan for future water availability, complicating efforts to ensure a stable supply for agriculture, industry, and domestic use.

Another significant challenge is water pollution. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and inadequate sanitation systems contaminate water sources, reducing the amount of usable freshwater and posing health risks to humans and ecosystems. Treating polluted water is costly and energy-intensive, adding another layer of complexity to water resource management.

Overexploitation of groundwater resources presents yet another hurdle. In many regions, groundwater is being extracted at rates far exceeding natural replenishment. This unsustainable practice leads to falling water tables, land subsidence, and in coastal areas, saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers. Once depleted, these underground reservoirs can take thousands of years to refill, if they can be replenished at all.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Improving water use efficiency in agriculture, which accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, is crucial. This can be achieved through better irrigation techniques, crop selection, and water-saving technologies. In urban areas, reducing water waste through infrastructure improvements and promoting water conservation among consumers can significantly impact water demand.

Innovative technologies are also playing a role in managing water resources. Desalination plants, which convert seawater into freshwater, are becoming increasingly important in water-scarce coastal regions. However, these facilities are energy-intensive and can have negative environmental impacts if not properly managed.

International cooperation is essential for effective global water resource management. Transboundary water agreements, such as those governing the Nile River basin, are critical for ensuring equitable water distribution and preventing conflicts. Organizations like the United Nations are working to promote sustainable water management practices and increase access to clean water and sanitation worldwide.

As the challenges in managing global water resources continue to grow, so does the need for innovative solutions and collaborative efforts. By recognizing water as a finite and irreplaceable resource, we can work towards more sustainable management practices that ensure water security for current and future generations.

Questions

1. What percentage of the world’s population lives in the Middle East and North Africa?
   A) 1%
   B) 6%
   C) 10%
   D) 15%

2. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a challenge in managing global water resources?
   A) Uneven distribution of freshwater
   B) Climate change
   C) Overpopulation in water-rich areas
   D) Water pollution

3. According to the passage, what percentage of global freshwater withdrawals is used for agriculture?
   A) 50%
   B) 60%
   C) 70%
   D) 80%

4. True/False/Not Given: Desalination plants are a completely sustainable solution to water scarcity.

5. Which of the following best describes the impact of climate change on water resource management?
   A) It makes water management easier
   B) It has no significant impact
   C) It complicates prediction and planning
   D) It only affects arid regions

6-10. Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

The global water crisis is exacerbated by several factors, including the (6) ____ distribution of freshwater across the planet. Climate change is altering (7) ____ patterns and increasing extreme weather events. Water pollution from various sources reduces the amount of (8) ____ freshwater available. (9) ____ of groundwater resources leads to falling water tables and other environmental issues. Addressing these challenges requires improving water use efficiency, especially in (10) ____, which uses the majority of global freshwater withdrawals.

Answer Key

1. B) 6%
   Explanation: The passage states, “countries in the Middle East and North Africa, home to 6% of the world’s population, possess only 1% of the planet’s freshwater resources.”

2. C) Overpopulation in water-rich areas
   Explanation: The passage mentions uneven distribution, climate change, and water pollution as challenges, but does not discuss overpopulation in water-rich areas.

3. C) 70%
   Explanation: The passage mentions, “agriculture, which accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.”

4. False
   Explanation: The passage states that desalination plants “are energy-intensive and can have negative environmental impacts if not properly managed,” indicating they are not completely sustainable.

5. C) It complicates prediction and planning
   Explanation: The passage states, “These changes make it difficult for water managers to predict and plan for future water availability.”

6. uneven

7. precipitation

8. usable

9. Overexploitation

10. agriculture

Lessons Learned

When tackling IELTS Reading passages on topics like global water resource management, keep these points in mind:

1. Pay attention to specific figures and percentages mentioned in the text.
2. Be aware of the difference between what is explicitly stated and what is implied.
3. Look for key phrases that indicate challenges or solutions.
4. In summary completion tasks, focus on the context and grammatical fit of your answers.

Vocabulary

1. Geopolitical (adjective) /ˌdʒiːəʊpəˈlɪtɪkl/: relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors

2. Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/: to make a problem or bad situation worse

3. Precipitation (noun) /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃn/: rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground

4. Sanitation (noun) /ˌsænɪˈteɪʃn/: conditions relating to public health, especially the provision of clean drinking water and adequate sewage disposal

5. Aquifer (noun) /ˈækwɪfər/: a layer of rock or soil that can absorb and hold water

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present simple tense for stating facts and describing ongoing situations:

“Water is essential for life, yet managing this precious resource on a global scale is becoming increasingly challenging.”

This sentence structure combines a general truth (water is essential) with a current trend (management is becoming challenging), effectively setting up the main topic of the passage.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely among the three passages in the IELTS Reading test.

2. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify key information without reading every word.

3. Develop your vocabulary: Focus on academic and topic-specific words commonly used in IELTS passages.

4. Read actively: Engage with the text by predicting content and questioning as you read.

5. Improve your concentration: Practice reading for extended periods without distractions.

6. Familiarize yourself with question types: Understand the different formats of questions you might encounter.

7. Use context clues: When faced with unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.

8. Pay attention to transition words: These can help you understand the structure and flow of ideas in the passage.

9. Practice with authentic materials: Use real IELTS practice tests and academic articles to prepare.

10. Review and reflect: After each practice session, analyze your mistakes and identify areas for improvement.

By following these tips and regularly practicing with passages on topics like global water resource management, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle the IELTS Reading test with confidence. Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes not just from English proficiency, but also from strategic approach and familiarity with the test format.

For more practice on environmental topics, check out our articles on challenges of managing renewable resources and water management challenges in arid regions. These will help you broaden your knowledge and vocabulary in this crucial area of study.