As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’m here to guide you through a practice reading passage on the timely topic of climate change and its impact on extreme weather events. This subject has been increasingly prevalent in IELTS exams, reflecting its global significance. Given its relevance and frequency in past tests, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter similar themes in future IELTS Reading sections. Let’s dive into a comprehensive practice exercise to sharpen your skills and boost your confidence for the real exam.
Introduction to the IELTS Reading Test
The IELTS Reading test assesses your ability to understand and interpret written English. You’ll have 60 minutes to answer 40 questions based on three passages of increasing difficulty. Today, we’ll focus on a passage about climate change’s influence on weather extremes, a topic that combines scientific knowledge with current affairs – a common blend in IELTS texts.
Practice Passage: Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
Reading Passage
Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality, manifesting most visibly through the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. As global temperatures rise due to human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, the delicate balance of our planet’s climate system is being disrupted, leading to a cascade of weather-related consequences that are reshaping our world.
One of the most apparent impacts of climate change on weather extremes is the intensification of heatwaves. Cities across the globe are experiencing record-breaking temperatures with alarming regularity. These extreme heat events not only pose immediate health risks to vulnerable populations but also strain energy grids and water resources. The urban heat island effect exacerbates these issues in metropolitan areas, where concrete and asphalt absorb and retain heat, creating localized climate challenges.
Paradoxically, as some regions grapple with unprecedented heat, others face the increasing threat of severe flooding. Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall events when that moisture is released. This phenomenon has resulted in devastating flash floods in areas previously considered low-risk, overwhelming drainage systems and causing billions in damages. Coastal regions face a double threat, with rising sea levels amplifying the impact of storm surges during hurricanes and typhoons.
The relationship between climate change and hurricanes is particularly complex. While the frequency of these storms may not necessarily increase, their intensity is expected to grow. Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for hurricanes to develop and sustain themselves, potentially leading to more Category 4 and 5 storms. These super-storms bring catastrophic winds, storm surges, and rainfall, posing significant risks to coastal communities and infrastructure.
Droughts, too, are becoming more severe and prolonged in many parts of the world. Changes in precipitation patterns, combined with increased evaporation due to higher temperatures, are leaving vast areas parched. This not only affects agriculture and food security but also increases the risk of wildfires. The devastating bushfires in Australia and the persistent wildfire seasons in California serve as stark reminders of this growing threat.
The Arctic region offers some of the most dramatic evidence of climate change’s impact on weather patterns. As sea ice diminishes, it alters the jet stream, potentially leading to more persistent weather patterns in the mid-latitudes. This can result in prolonged periods of extreme weather, be it heat, cold, rain, or drought.
Scientists are working tirelessly to understand these complex interactions and improve climate models. However, the unpredictability of these extreme events poses significant challenges for communities, policymakers, and emergency responders. Adaptation strategies are becoming increasingly crucial, from improving infrastructure resilience to developing early warning systems.
The influence of climate change on weather extremes is not just a matter of environmental concern; it has far-reaching implications for global economics, health, and security. As we continue to witness the escalation of these events, the urgency for global action to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts becomes ever more apparent. The future of our planet’s weather patterns – and our ability to cope with them – depends on the decisions and actions we take today.
Questions
1-5. Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
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
- Climate change is causing more frequent and intense extreme weather events.
- The urban heat island effect helps to mitigate heatwaves in cities.
- Warmer air can hold less moisture, leading to more intense rainfall.
- The frequency of hurricanes is expected to increase due to climate change.
- Changes in Arctic sea ice affect weather patterns in mid-latitude regions.
6-10. Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
- Extreme heat events pose immediate health risks to ___ populations.
- Rising sea levels amplify the impact of ___ during hurricanes and typhoons.
- Warmer ocean temperatures provide more ___ for hurricanes to develop and sustain themselves.
- Prolonged droughts increase the risk of ___.
- Scientists are working to improve ___ to better understand the complex interactions of climate and weather.
Answer Key and Explanations
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TRUE – The passage states that climate change is “manifesting most visibly through the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.”
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FALSE – The passage mentions that “The urban heat island effect exacerbates these issues in metropolitan areas,” indicating that it worsens, not mitigates, heatwaves.
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FALSE – The passage states the opposite: “Warmer air can hold more moisture, leading to more intense rainfall events.”
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NOT GIVEN – The passage mentions that the frequency of hurricanes may not necessarily increase, but their intensity is expected to grow.
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TRUE – The passage states, “As sea ice diminishes, it alters the jet stream, potentially leading to more persistent weather patterns in the mid-latitudes.”
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vulnerable
Explanation: The passage mentions “immediate health risks to vulnerable populations” when discussing extreme heat events. -
storm surges
Explanation: The text states, “rising sea levels amplifying the impact of storm surges during hurricanes and typhoons.” -
energy
Explanation: The passage says, “Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for hurricanes to develop and sustain themselves.” -
wildfires
Explanation: The text mentions that prolonged droughts “increase the risk of wildfires.” -
climate models
Explanation: The passage states, “Scientists are working tirelessly to understand these complex interactions and improve climate models.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Misinterpreting negatives: Be cautious with words like “not,” “never,” or “unlikely.” They can change the meaning of a statement entirely.
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Overlooking qualifiers: Words like “some,” “many,” or “often” are crucial in determining the accuracy of a statement.
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Falling for distractors: The passage may mention a topic but not provide the specific information asked in the question.
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Relying on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage, not your own knowledge of the topic.
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Mismanaging time: Ensure you allocate enough time to read the passage thoroughly and answer all questions.
Key Vocabulary
- Manifest (verb) /ˈmænɪfest/ – to show something clearly, through signs or actions
- Exacerbate (verb) /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪt/ – to make a bad situation even worse
- Paradoxically (adverb) /ˌpærəˈdɒksɪkli/ – in a way that seems impossible or difficult to understand because of containing two opposite facts or characteristics
- Amplify (verb) /ˈæmplɪfaɪ/ – to increase the strength of something, especially sound or an electrical signal
- Resilience (noun) /rɪˈzɪliəns/ – the ability to become strong, happy, or successful again after a difficult situation or event
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage, particularly the zero and first conditionals, which are often used to discuss scientific phenomena and their consequences. For example:
“As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of our planet’s climate system is being disrupted.”
This sentence structure (As + [clause], [result]) is commonly used to explain cause and effect relationships in scientific contexts.
Tips for Success in IELTS Reading
- Skim the passage quickly first to get a general idea of its content.
- Read the questions carefully before reading the passage in detail.
- Underline key words and phrases as you read.
- Pay attention to transition words and phrases that indicate relationships between ideas.
- Practice time management – allocate your 60 minutes wisely across all three passages.
- If you’re unsure about an answer, make an educated guess and move on. You can always come back if time permits.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and familiarity with various question types. Keep practicing with diverse topics, and you’ll see improvement in your speed and accuracy.
For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on the effects of climate change on agricultural yields and how climate change influences the frequency of natural disasters. These will provide additional context and vocabulary that can be helpful in your IELTS preparation.