IELTS Reading Practice: Effects of Climate Change on Tourism

Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focused on the effects of climate change on tourism. The Reading section of the IELTS test assesses your ability to understand complex texts, identify main ideas, and interpret information. Today, we’ll be exploring a topic that has become increasingly relevant in recent years.

Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, the theme of climate change and its impact on various sectors, including tourism, has been appearing more frequently. Given the ongoing environmental concerns and the tourism industry’s significance in the global economy, it’s highly likely that you may encounter a similar topic in your upcoming IELTS test.

Let’s dive into a practice passage that simulates the difficulty level and format you might face in the actual IELTS Reading test.

Practice Passage: Climate Change and Tourism

Reading Passage

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a significant threat to the global tourism industry. As one of the world’s largest economic sectors, tourism is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which are already being felt across various destinations worldwide.

Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are altering the attractiveness of many tourist destinations. Coastal areas, which are popular among tourists, face the risk of erosion and flooding due to sea-level rise. This not only threatens beach tourism but also puts coastal infrastructure at risk. For instance, the Maldives, a low-lying island nation heavily dependent on tourism, is particularly vulnerable to rising sea levels, which could potentially submerge large portions of its territory.

Mountain regions are also experiencing significant changes. Declining snowfall and retreating glaciers are affecting winter sports tourism in many areas. Ski resorts at lower altitudes are increasingly struggling to maintain reliable snow cover, leading to shorter ski seasons and economic losses. In the European Alps, for example, the snow season has already shortened by several weeks compared to the 1960s.

Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, pose another challenge to the tourism sector. Hurricanes, heatwaves, and wildfires can deter tourists and cause significant damage to tourism infrastructure. The Caribbean region, known for its beach resorts, has seen several powerful hurricanes in recent years, causing widespread destruction and negatively impacting tourism revenues.

Biodiversity loss resulting from climate change also threatens eco-tourism. Coral reefs, which support diverse marine ecosystems and attract millions of tourists annually, are particularly vulnerable to ocean warming and acidification. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia, for instance, has experienced several mass coral bleaching events in recent years, endangering its status as a prime tourist attraction.

However, climate change may also create new opportunities for some destinations. As traditional summer destinations become too hot, cooler regions might see an increase in visitors. For example, some northern European countries could benefit from warmer summers, potentially attracting more tourists seeking to escape excessive heat in southern regions.

The tourism industry is beginning to recognize the need for adaptation and mitigation strategies. Many destinations are implementing sustainable tourism practices, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and diversifying their tourism offerings to reduce dependency on climate-sensitive activities. Some ski resorts are expanding their summer activities to offset potential losses from shorter winter seasons.

Moreover, there’s a growing trend towards “green tourism,” with travelers becoming more environmentally conscious. This shift in consumer behavior is encouraging the industry to adopt more sustainable practices, such as reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and supporting local conservation efforts.

In conclusion, while climate change poses significant challenges to the global tourism industry, it also serves as a catalyst for innovation and sustainable development within the sector. The future of tourism will likely depend on how well destinations and businesses can adapt to these changing environmental conditions while meeting the evolving expectations of environmentally aware travelers.

Climate change impacts on tourism

Questions

True/False/Not Given

For questions 1-5, write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information in the passage
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information in the passage
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about the statement in the passage

1. Climate change is affecting both coastal and mountain tourism destinations.
2. The Maldives is at risk of complete submersion due to rising sea levels.
3. Ski resorts in all regions are equally affected by declining snowfall.
4. Extreme weather events have had no impact on Caribbean tourism revenues.
5. The Great Barrier Reef has been unaffected by climate change.

Multiple Choice

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

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an effect of climate change on tourism?
   A) Shorter ski seasons in mountain regions
   B) Increased tourism in Arctic regions
   C) Damage to coastal infrastructure
   D) Threats to eco-tourism due to biodiversity loss

7. The passage suggests that some northern European countries might benefit from climate change because:
   A) They will have longer ski seasons
   B) They could attract more summer tourists
   C) Their infrastructure is more climate-resilient
   D) They have more diverse tourism offerings

Matching Information

Match the following statements (questions 8-10) with the correct information from the passage (A-F).

8. A type of tourism threatened by ocean warming and acidification
9. An adaptive strategy used by some ski resorts
10. A trend in consumer behavior influencing the tourism industry

A) Eco-tourism
B) Expanding summer activities
C) Green tourism
D) Beach tourism
E) Sustainable tourism practices
F) Winter sports tourism

Answer Key

1. TRUE
2. NOT GIVEN
3. FALSE
4. FALSE
5. FALSE
6. B
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. C

Explanations

1. TRUE – The passage mentions effects on both coastal areas (erosion and flooding) and mountain regions (declining snowfall and retreating glaciers).

2. NOT GIVEN – While the passage states that the Maldives is vulnerable to rising sea levels and large portions could be submerged, it doesn’t mention complete submersion.

3. FALSE – The passage specifically mentions that ski resorts at lower altitudes are struggling, implying that not all regions are equally affected.

4. FALSE – The passage states that powerful hurricanes in the Caribbean have negatively impacted tourism revenues.

5. FALSE – The passage mentions that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced several mass coral bleaching events in recent years.

6. B – The passage does not mention increased tourism in Arctic regions as an effect of climate change.

7. B – The passage states that cooler regions, including some northern European countries, might attract more visitors as traditional summer destinations become too hot.

8. A – Eco-tourism is threatened by biodiversity loss, with coral reefs (affected by ocean warming and acidification) given as an example.

9. B – The passage mentions that some ski resorts are expanding their summer activities to offset potential losses from shorter winter seasons.

10. C – The passage notes a growing trend towards “green tourism,” with travelers becoming more environmentally conscious.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to precise information in the passage. For example, the question about ski resorts specifies “lower altitudes,” which is crucial for answering correctly.

2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text. For instance, while the Maldives’ situation sounds dire, the passage doesn’t state it will be completely submerged.

3. Confusing similar concepts: Be careful to distinguish between related ideas. For example, “green tourism” refers to traveler behavior, while “sustainable tourism practices” refers to industry actions.

4. Misinterpreting “Not Given”: Remember, “Not Given” means the information isn’t in the passage, not that it’s false or unlikely.

5. Falling for distractors in multiple-choice questions: Always check all options before selecting an answer, as distractors may be partially correct or related to the passage but not the specific question.

Vocabulary Focus

• Vulnerability: (noun) /vʌlnərəˈbɪləti/ – the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed
• Erosion: (noun) /ɪˈrəʊʒən/ – the gradual destruction or diminution of something
• Retreating: (adjective) /rɪˈtriːtɪŋ/ – moving back or withdrawing
• Biodiversity: (noun) /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat
• Acidification: (noun) /əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ – the action or process of making or becoming acid
• Mitigation: (noun) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something

Grammar Spotlight

Passive Voice: The passage frequently uses passive voice to emphasize the effects rather than the actors. For example:

• “Tourism is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which are already being felt across various destinations worldwide.”

Structure: [Subject] + [is/are] + [being] + [past participle]

This structure is useful when the focus is on the action or result rather than who or what is performing the action. It’s common in scientific and academic writing.

Tips for Success

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.

2. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify key information and main ideas before diving into detailed reading.

3. Use contextual clues: If you encounter unfamiliar vocabulary, try to understand the meaning from the surrounding context.

4. Pay attention to transition words and phrases: These can signal important points or shifts in the argument.

5. Stay focused on the passage: Avoid bringing in outside knowledge when answering questions.

Remember, consistent practice with various topics and question types is key to improving your IELTS Reading score. Keep challenging yourself with diverse texts and always review your mistakes to learn from them.

For more practice on climate change-related topics, you might find these articles helpful:

• What are the effects of climate change on global tourism?
• Effects of climate change on polar ecosystems
• Climate change’s impact on economic stability

Keep practicing, and good luck with your IELTS preparation!