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 gained significant attention in recent years: “Climate change’s effect on migration patterns.” This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to resurface in future tests.
Climate change and its impact on human migration is a pressing global issue, making it a prime candidate for IELTS Reading passages. By practicing with texts on this topic, you’ll not only improve your reading skills but also gain valuable knowledge about a critical world issue.
Let’s dive into a sample IELTS Reading passage and questions, followed by detailed explanations and tips to help you excel in this section.
Sample IELTS Reading Passage
Climate Change and Human Migration: A Growing Crisis
Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality affecting millions of lives worldwide. One of the most significant consequences of this global phenomenon is its impact on human migration patterns. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, and sea levels continue to rise, communities around the world are being forced to relocate, creating a new category of displaced people known as “climate migrants” or “environmental refugees.”
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by 2050, up to 200 million people could be displaced due to climate-related causes. This mass movement of people presents complex challenges for both the regions people are leaving and those receiving them. Coastal areas and small island nations are particularly vulnerable, with rising sea levels threatening to submerge entire communities. For instance, the Pacific island nation of Kiribati has already purchased land in Fiji as a potential new home for its population, should rising seas make their current homes uninhabitable.
In addition to sea-level rise, other climate-related factors are driving migration. Prolonged droughts in parts of Africa and the Middle East have led to crop failures and water scarcity, forcing rural populations to move to urban areas or across borders in search of better opportunities. In South Asia, increasingly intense monsoons and flooding are displacing millions each year, often overwhelming the capacity of local governments to respond.
The impact of climate-induced migration extends beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis. It also has significant social, economic, and political implications for both origin and destination countries. Host communities may struggle to integrate large numbers of newcomers, potentially leading to social tensions and straining local resources and infrastructure. On the other hand, the loss of population in climate-vulnerable areas can lead to a brain drain and economic decline, further exacerbating the challenges faced by these regions.
Addressing climate-induced migration requires a multifaceted approach. Mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change are crucial. However, given that some degree of climate change is now inevitable, adaptation strategies are equally important. These may include improving resilience in vulnerable communities through better infrastructure, diversifying livelihoods, and developing early warning systems for extreme weather events.
International cooperation is essential in managing climate-induced migration. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, adopted by the United Nations in 2018, recognizes climate change as a driver of migration and calls for enhanced data collection, disaster risk reduction strategies, and planned relocation when adaptation in place is not possible.
As the world grapples with the complexities of climate change, it is clear that its effects on human migration will be one of the defining challenges of the 21st century. The way in which the global community responds to this crisis will have profound implications for millions of people and for the stability of regions around the world.
Sample Questions
Multiple Choice
-
According to the passage, by 2050, how many people could be displaced due to climate-related causes?
A) 50 million
B) 100 million
C) 200 million
D) 300 million -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a factor driving climate-induced migration?
A) Rising sea levels
B) Prolonged droughts
C) Intense monsoons
D) Earthquakes -
The Pacific island nation of Kiribati has:
A) Already relocated its entire population to Fiji
B) Purchased land in Fiji as a contingency plan
C) Built sea walls to protect against rising seas
D) Developed a floating city to accommodate its population
True/False/Not Given
- Climate-induced migration only affects developing countries.
- The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration was adopted in 2018.
- All climate-vulnerable communities can be protected through adaptation strategies.
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-vi) next to questions 7-10.
i. The scale of climate-induced displacement
ii. Adaptation and mitigation strategies
iii. Economic impacts of climate migration
iv. International policy responses
v. Vulnerable regions and communities
vi. Social tensions in host communities
- Paragraph 2 __
- Paragraph 3 __
- Paragraph 4 __
- Paragraph 6 __
Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Climate change is causing significant shifts in human (11) ____ patterns. Rising sea levels threaten coastal areas and small (12) ____, while droughts and flooding affect other regions. This movement of people creates challenges for both (13) ____ and destination countries. Addressing this issue requires both (14) ____ efforts to reduce emissions and (15) ____ strategies to help vulnerable communities.
Answer Key and Explanations
-
C) 200 million
Explanation: The passage states, “The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that by 2050, up to 200 million people could be displaced due to climate-related causes.” -
D) Earthquakes
Explanation: The passage mentions rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, and intense monsoons as factors driving migration, but earthquakes are not mentioned. -
B) Purchased land in Fiji as a contingency plan
Explanation: The text states, “the Pacific island nation of Kiribati has already purchased land in Fiji as a potential new home for its population.” -
False
Explanation: The passage discusses impacts on various regions, including developed nations. It does not state that only developing countries are affected. -
True
Explanation: The passage explicitly states, “The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, adopted by the United Nations in 2018.” -
Not Given
Explanation: While adaptation strategies are mentioned, the passage does not claim that all vulnerable communities can be protected through these strategies. -
i
Explanation: Paragraph 2 discusses the estimated number of people who could be displaced by 2050. -
v
Explanation: Paragraph 3 describes various vulnerable regions and communities affected by climate change. -
iii
Explanation: Paragraph 4 discusses the economic implications of climate-induced migration. -
iv
Explanation: Paragraph 6 focuses on international cooperation and policy responses to climate-induced migration. -
migration
-
island nations
-
origin
-
mitigation
-
adaptation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “up to” or “by 2050” which can be crucial for accurate answers.
- Confusing similar information: Be careful to distinguish between related but different concepts, such as mitigation and adaptation strategies.
- Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text and avoid drawing conclusions based on your own knowledge.
- Misinterpreting True/False/Not Given questions: Remember, “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor denied in the passage.
- Ignoring context: Consider the entire paragraph or section when answering questions, not just isolated sentences.
Key Vocabulary
-
Climate migrants (noun): People forced to relocate due to climate change effects.
Pronunciation: /ˈklaɪmət ˈmaɪɡrənts/ -
Environmental refugees (noun): Individuals displaced by environmental factors.
Pronunciation: /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmentl ˈrefjʊˌdʒiːz/ -
Submerge (verb): To cover completely with water.
Pronunciation: /səbˈmɜːrdʒ/ -
Resilience (noun): The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
Pronunciation: /rɪˈzɪliəns/ -
Mitigation (noun): The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something.
Pronunciation: /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ -
Adaptation (noun): The process of changing to suit different conditions.
Pronunciation: /ˌædæpˈteɪʃn/
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage, particularly those expressing future possibilities:
- “Should rising seas make their current homes uninhabitable…”
This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to express a real possibility in the future. The structure is:
If/Should + present simple, will/modal verb + base verb
Practice creating similar sentences related to climate change and migration:
- If temperatures continue to rise, more people will be forced to migrate.
- Should extreme weather events increase, governments may need to develop new policies.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
- Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all passages and questions.
- Skim and scan: Quickly identify main ideas and locate specific information.
- Read questions carefully: Understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
- Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.
- Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with various question types and develop effective strategies for each.
- Stay informed: Read widely on current global issues to build your vocabulary and background knowledge.
- Answer all questions: Even if you’re unsure, always provide an answer as there’s no penalty for guessing.
By practicing with passages like this one on climate change and migration, you’ll improve your reading skills and expand your knowledge on important global issues. Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of language proficiency, test-taking strategies, and broad general knowledge. Keep practicing, stay curious, and approach each text with confidence!