The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing candidates’ ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: the Effects Of Climate Change On Waterborne Diseases. 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 health, particularly waterborne diseases, is a pressing global concern. As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve noticed an increase in passages related to environmental issues and their health implications. Let’s dive into a practice reading passage on this topic to sharpen your skills and expand your knowledge.
Reading Passage: Climate Change and Waterborne Diseases
Climate change is altering the global water cycle, leading to significant impacts on human health, particularly through the spread of waterborne diseases. As temperatures rise and precipitation patterns shift, the incidence and distribution of these diseases are changing in complex and often unpredictable ways.
One of the primary ways climate change affects waterborne diseases is through extreme weather events. Increased frequency and intensity of floods can overwhelm water and sanitation systems, leading to the contamination of drinking water sources. This contamination often results in outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Conversely, droughts can force people to rely on unsafe water sources, also increasing the risk of disease transmission.
Rising temperatures also play a crucial role. Warmer waters provide ideal conditions for the growth and survival of many pathogens and disease vectors. For instance, the bacteria that cause cholera thrive in warmer coastal waters, potentially leading to more frequent and severe outbreaks. Similarly, the mosquitoes that transmit diseases like dengue and Zika virus can expand their range into previously cooler regions as temperatures increase.
Climate change is also affecting the seasonality of certain waterborne diseases. In some areas, the transmission season for diseases like malaria is lengthening, exposing more people to the risk of infection for longer periods. This shift in disease patterns can catch communities and healthcare systems off guard, potentially leading to more severe outbreaks.
The impact of climate change on waterborne diseases is not uniform across the globe. Developing countries, particularly those in tropical and subtropical regions, are often the most vulnerable. These nations frequently lack robust water and sanitation infrastructure and have limited resources for disease prevention and control. As climate change exacerbates existing challenges, the health disparities between developed and developing countries may widen.
Addressing the effects of climate change on waterborne diseases requires a multifaceted approach. Improving water and sanitation infrastructure is crucial, as is strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems. Climate-resilient health systems that can adapt to changing disease patterns are essential. Additionally, global efforts to mitigate climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions are fundamental to long-term disease control.
Research and innovation also play vital roles. Scientists are developing new technologies for water treatment and purification that are more resilient to climate impacts. Predictive modeling is improving our ability to forecast disease outbreaks based on climate data, allowing for more proactive interventions.
Public awareness and education are equally important. Communities need to understand the links between climate change and waterborne diseases to take appropriate preventive measures. This includes practices such as water conservation, proper sanitation, and seeking early medical care when symptoms arise.
In conclusion, the effects of climate change on waterborne diseases present a significant global health challenge. As we continue to experience shifts in our climate, it is crucial to adapt our approach to disease prevention and control. By combining infrastructure improvements, scientific research, and community engagement, we can work towards minimizing the health impacts of climate change and ensuring access to safe water for all.
Climate change impact on waterborne diseases
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Determine if the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Climate change is causing an increase in both floods and droughts.
- Warmer waters always lead to a decrease in waterborne diseases.
- The transmission season for malaria is becoming longer in some areas due to climate change.
- Developed countries are more affected by waterborne diseases than developing countries.
- Improving water and sanitation infrastructure is one way to address the effects of climate change on waterborne diseases.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
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According to the passage, extreme weather events can lead to waterborne disease outbreaks by:
A) Reducing the global water supply
B) Contaminating drinking water sources
C) Increasing air pollution
D) Causing direct injuries to people -
The bacteria that cause cholera:
A) Cannot survive in warm waters
B) Are unaffected by temperature changes
C) Thrive in warmer coastal waters
D) Only grow in freshwater environments -
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a way to address the effects of climate change on waterborne diseases?
A) Improving water and sanitation infrastructure
B) Strengthening disease surveillance systems
C) Developing climate-resilient health systems
D) Increasing the use of fossil fuels
Matching Headings
Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-vii) next to questions 9-13.
i. The role of technology in combating waterborne diseases
ii. Uneven global impact of climate change on waterborne diseases
iii. Changes in disease seasonality due to climate change
iv. The importance of public education in disease prevention
v. Extreme weather events and waterborne diseases
vi. The effect of rising temperatures on pathogens and vectors
vii. Multi-pronged approach to addressing climate change effects
- Paragraph 2: _____
- Paragraph 3: _____
- Paragraph 4: _____
- Paragraph 5: _____
- Paragraph 7: _____
Answer Key and Explanations
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True – The passage states that climate change leads to “Increased frequency and intensity of floods” and mentions droughts as well.
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False – The passage indicates that warmer waters provide “ideal conditions for the growth and survival of many pathogens and disease vectors.”
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True – The passage mentions that “the transmission season for diseases like malaria is lengthening.”
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False – The passage states that “Developing countries, particularly those in tropical and subtropical regions, are often the most vulnerable.”
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True – The passage explicitly mentions “Improving water and sanitation infrastructure” as part of the approach to address the effects.
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B – The passage states that extreme weather events can “lead to the contamination of drinking water sources.”
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C – The passage mentions that “the bacteria that cause cholera thrive in warmer coastal waters.”
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D – Increasing the use of fossil fuels is not mentioned as a solution; in fact, the passage suggests reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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v – This paragraph discusses how extreme weather events like floods and droughts affect waterborne diseases.
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vi – This paragraph focuses on how rising temperatures create favorable conditions for pathogens and disease vectors.
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iii – This paragraph discusses how climate change is affecting the seasonality of certain waterborne diseases.
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ii – This paragraph talks about how the impact of climate change on waterborne diseases varies across different parts of the world.
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i – This paragraph discusses how research and innovation, including new technologies, are being used to combat waterborne diseases in the context of climate change.
Common Mistakes
When tackling a passage like this, students often make the following mistakes:
- Overlooking specific details: For example, missing the fact that cholera bacteria thrive in warmer coastal waters, not just any warm water.
- Confusing causation with correlation: The passage doesn’t state that all waterborne diseases increase with temperature, just that conditions become more favorable for some pathogens.
- Generalizing statements: The passage is careful to use phrases like “in some areas” or “often,” which students might overlook, leading to overgeneralized answers.
- Misinterpreting “Not Given” statements: Remember, if the information isn’t explicitly stated in the passage, even if it seems logical, it should be marked as “Not Given.”
Vocabulary
Here are some key vocabulary terms from the passage:
- Incidence (noun) – /ˈɪnsɪdəns/ – the occurrence, rate, or frequency of a disease, crime, or other undesirable thing.
- Contamination (noun) – /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/ – the action or state of making or being made impure by polluting or poisoning.
- Pathogens (noun) – /ˈpæθədʒənz/ – bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Vector (noun) – /ˈvektər/ – an organism, typically a biting insect or tick, that transmits a disease or parasite from one animal or plant to another.
- Resilient (adjective) – /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage. For example:
“As we continue to experience shifts in our climate, it is crucial to adapt our approach to disease prevention and control.”
This is an example of a first conditional sentence, used to talk about a real and possible future situation. The structure is:
If/When + present simple, … will + infinitive
Practice forming similar sentences related to climate change and health:
- If temperatures continue to rise, tropical diseases _____ (spread) to new areas.
- When extreme weather events become more frequent, we _____ (need) to improve our emergency response systems.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
- Time management is crucial. Spend about 20 minutes on each passage in the IELTS Reading test.
- Read the questions before the passage to know what information to look for.
- Underline key words and phrases as you read to help you locate information quickly when answering questions.
- Don’t spend too much time on one question. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess and move on.
- Practice reading scientific and academic texts regularly to improve your comprehension of complex topics like climate change and health.
- Familiarize yourself with different question types (True/False/Not Given, Multiple Choice, Matching Headings, etc.) and develop strategies for each.
- Expand your vocabulary, especially in areas related to environment, health, and global issues, as these topics frequently appear in IELTS Reading tests.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. Keep working on your skills, and you’ll see improvement over time.
For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on how climate change influences global health outcomes and the consequences of climate change on public health.
