IELTS Reading Practice: Climate Change’s Effect on the Global Food Supply Chain

Welcome to this IELTS Reading practice session focusing on the critical topic of climate change’s impact on the global food supply chain. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I can assure you that environmental issues, particularly those related to food security, have been increasingly prevalent in IELTS Reading tests over the past few years. Given the growing urgency of climate change and its far-reaching consequences, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter similar themes in future exams.

The IELTS Reading section requires you to demonstrate your ability to understand complex texts, identify key information, and critically analyze the content. Today’s practice will help you hone these skills while exploring a subject that’s not only relevant to the test but also crucial for our global future.

Climate change affecting global food supply

IELTS Reading Practice Text

Climate Change: A Growing Threat to Global Food Security

Climate change is rapidly emerging as one of the most significant challenges to global food security in the 21st century. As temperatures rise and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the intricate web of food production, distribution, and consumption faces unprecedented stress. This article explores the multifaceted impacts of climate change on the global food supply chain and the urgent need for adaptive strategies.

The agricultural sector, the foundation of our food supply, is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures are altering growing seasons, affecting crop yields, and shifting the geographical suitability of various crops. For instance, traditional coffee-growing regions in countries like Ethiopia are becoming less suitable for cultivation, forcing farmers to move to higher altitudes or switch to different crops entirely. Similarly, wheat production in many parts of the world is expected to decline as heat stress becomes more common.

Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, pose a significant threat to food production. Droughts, floods, and hurricanes can devastate crops and livestock, leading to sudden shortages and price spikes. The 2010 heatwave in Russia, for example, led to a 25% drop in the country’s grain harvest, contributing to a global food price crisis.

Climate change also affects the nutritional quality of food. Studies have shown that elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can reduce the protein, zinc, and iron content of staple crops like rice and wheat. This “hidden hunger” could have severe implications for global health, particularly in developing countries where these crops form the basis of people’s diets.

The impact of climate change extends beyond farm gates. Rising sea levels and more frequent storms threaten coastal infrastructure critical to food distribution. Ports, roads, and storage facilities are at risk of damage or destruction, potentially disrupting supply chains and exacerbating food insecurity in vulnerable regions.

Water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, is another critical concern. Agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use, and as water resources become more stressed, competition between agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses will intensify. This could lead to reduced crop yields and increased food prices.

The fishing industry, a crucial source of protein for billions of people, is also under threat. Ocean warming and acidification are altering marine ecosystems, affecting fish populations and migration patterns. Some studies predict that fish catches in tropical regions could decline by up to 40% by 2050 due to climate change.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Adaptation strategies, such as developing drought-resistant crop varieties, improving irrigation efficiency, and diversifying food production systems, are crucial. Equally important are mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change.

In conclusion, the impact of climate change on the global food supply chain is complex and far-reaching. As we face this unprecedented challenge, it is clear that ensuring food security in a changing climate will require innovative solutions, international cooperation, and a commitment to sustainable practices throughout the food system.

Questions

Section 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the text, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a direct impact of climate change on agriculture?
   A) Altered growing seasons
   B) Changes in crop yields
   C) Increased use of pesticides
   D) Shifts in crop suitability regions

2. The 2010 heatwave in Russia is cited as an example of:
   A) The benefits of climate change for some regions
   B) How extreme weather can affect global food prices
   C) The need for better weather forecasting
   D) Russia’s agricultural resilience

3. What does the term “hidden hunger” refer to in the context of the article?
   A) Reduced calorie intake due to food shortages
   B) Decreased nutritional value of staple crops
   C) Increased appetite caused by climate stress
   D) Unrecognized food insecurity in developed countries

Section 2: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

4. Climate change is affecting both the quantity and quality of food produced globally.
5. All regions of the world will experience negative impacts on wheat production due to climate change.
6. The fishing industry in tropical regions is expected to benefit from climate change.
7. Developing drought-resistant crops is mentioned as a potential adaptation strategy.

Section 3: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

8. Climate change is altering the ____ ____ of various crops, affecting where they can be grown.
9. Rising sea levels and more frequent storms pose a threat to ____ ____, which is crucial for food distribution.
10. Agriculture currently accounts for approximately ____ percent of global freshwater use.

Section 4: Matching Information

Match the following effects with the correct aspect of the food supply chain affected by climate change. You may use any letter more than once.

A) Agricultural production
B) Food distribution
C) Food quality
D) Water resources

11. Reduced protein content in staple crops
12. Damage to ports and roads
13. Increased competition between different sectors for water use
14. Shifts in fish population and migration patterns

Answers and Explanations

1. C
   Explanation: The text mentions altered growing seasons, changes in crop yields, and shifts in crop suitability regions as direct impacts of climate change on agriculture. However, increased use of pesticides is not mentioned in the passage.

2. B
   Explanation: The text states that the 2010 heatwave in Russia led to a 25% drop in grain harvest, “contributing to a global food price crisis,” which demonstrates how extreme weather can affect global food prices.

3. B
   Explanation: The passage explains that “hidden hunger” refers to the reduced protein, zinc, and iron content in staple crops due to elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

4. TRUE
   Explanation: The text discusses both quantity (crop yields) and quality (nutritional content) being affected by climate change.

5. NOT GIVEN
   Explanation: While the text mentions that wheat production in many parts of the world is expected to decline, it doesn’t state that all regions will experience negative impacts.

6. FALSE
   Explanation: The text states that “fish catches in tropical regions could decline by up to 40% by 2050 due to climate change,” contradicting the idea that the fishing industry in these regions would benefit.

7. TRUE
   Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions “developing drought-resistant crop varieties” as an adaptation strategy.

8. geographical suitability
   Explanation: The text states that climate change is “shifting the geographical suitability of various crops.”

9. coastal infrastructure
   Explanation: The passage mentions that “Rising sea levels and more frequent storms threaten coastal infrastructure critical to food distribution.”

10. 70
    Explanation: The text states, “Agriculture accounts for about 70% of global freshwater use.”

11. C
    Explanation: The text mentions that climate change affects the nutritional quality of food, reducing protein, zinc, and iron content in staple crops.

12. B
    Explanation: The passage discusses how rising sea levels and storms threaten ports, roads, and storage facilities, which are part of food distribution infrastructure.

13. D
    Explanation: The text mentions increased competition between agricultural, industrial, and domestic uses of water resources.

14. A
    Explanation: While fishing is not traditionally considered part of agricultural production, in the context of food supply, changes in fish populations and migration patterns affect the production aspect of the food supply chain.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: In questions like #1, it’s crucial to carefully check each option against the text. Many test-takers might choose C if they read too quickly or make assumptions.

2. Confusing True/False/Not Given: For questions like #5, remember that “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor denied in the text. Don’t use your own knowledge to answer these questions.

3. Exceeding word limits: In sentence completion questions like #8-10, be sure to use exactly the words from the text and don’t exceed the word limit.

4. Misinterpreting matching questions: In questions like #11-14, read the descriptions carefully and match them to the most appropriate category based on the information in the text.

Vocabulary Focus

• Intricate: very complicated or detailed
• Unprecedented: never done or known before
• Vulnerable: exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed
• Exacerbate: make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse
• Adaptation: the process of change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in sentences like “Studies have shown that elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can reduce the protein, zinc, and iron content of staple crops.” This tense is used to connect past research with current relevance.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Time management is crucial. Spend about 20 minutes on each of the three passages in the Reading test.

2. Skim the questions before reading the full text to know what information to look for.

3. Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess and move on.

4. Pay attention to transition words and topic sentences to quickly grasp the main ideas of each paragraph.

5. Practice reading a variety of academic texts regularly to improve your speed and comprehension.

6. Develop your vocabulary, especially in areas related to science, environment, and social issues, as these topics frequently appear in IELTS Reading tests.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and familiarity with various question types. Keep working on your skills, and you’ll see improvement over time. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

For more practice on environmental topics in IELTS, check out our article on the effects of climate change on global food security.