IELTS Reading Practice: The Environmental Impact of Food Waste

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer questions accurately within a time limit. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been gaining prominence in recent years: the effects of food waste on the environment. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to feature again in future tests.

Based on our analysis of past IELTS exams and current global trends, the environmental impact of food waste is a topic that combines elements of sustainability, resource management, and climate change – all of which are frequently addressed in IELTS Reading passages. Let’s dive into a practice exercise that will help you prepare for this type of content in your upcoming IELTS exam.

Practice Reading Passage

The Environmental Toll of Food Waste

Food waste is a global issue with far-reaching consequences for our planet. While millions of people worldwide struggle with hunger and malnutrition, approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. This paradox not only represents a significant loss of resources but also contributes substantially to environmental degradation.

The environmental impact of food waste begins long before food reaches our plates. The production of food that is ultimately discarded leads to unnecessary use of land, water, and energy resources. Globally, food that is produced but not eaten occupies almost 1.4 billion hectares of land – nearly 30% of the world’s agricultural land area. This misuse of arable land contributes to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and soil degradation.

Water waste is another critical concern. The agriculture sector accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals, and a significant portion of this water is used to grow food that will never be consumed. In a world where water scarcity is an increasing threat, this represents an alarming misallocation of a precious resource.

Moreover, the energy invested in food production, processing, transportation, and storage is wasted when food is discarded. This unnecessary energy consumption contributes to increased greenhouse gas emissions. The FAO estimates that if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States.

When food waste ends up in landfills, it decomposes anaerobically, producing methane – a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere. Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, with food waste being a significant contributor.

The environmental cost extends beyond production and disposal. Food waste in landfills also produces leachate, a toxic liquid that can contaminate soil and groundwater. This contamination can have long-lasting effects on ecosystems and human health.

Addressing food waste is crucial for environmental conservation. Reducing food waste would decrease the pressure on agricultural lands, preserve water resources, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize landfill use. It would also help conserve biodiversity by reducing the need for agricultural expansion into natural habitats.

Efforts to combat food waste are gaining momentum globally. Many countries are implementing policies to reduce food waste, such as improving food labeling, encouraging composting, and supporting food redistribution programs. Consumers are also becoming more aware of their role in reducing food waste through better planning, storage, and use of leftovers.

In conclusion, the environmental impact of food waste is profound and multifaceted. By addressing this issue, we can make significant strides in environmental conservation, resource efficiency, and climate change mitigation. As individuals and societies, we must recognize that reducing food waste is not just about saving food – it’s about saving our planet.

Food waste in landfill

Questions

True/False/Not Given

Answer the following questions with True, False, or Not Given based on the information provided in the passage.

1. One-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted.
2. Food waste occupies more than half of the world’s agricultural land area.
3. The agriculture sector uses 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.
4. Food waste produces more greenhouse gases than any other country.
5. Methane is 25 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
6. Leachate from food waste in landfills can only contaminate soil.
7. Reducing food waste would have no impact on biodiversity conservation.

Multiple Choice

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

8. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as an environmental impact of food waste?
   A) Deforestation
   B) Soil degradation
   C) Ocean acidification
   D) Loss of biodiversity

9. Food waste in landfills contributes to greenhouse gas emissions primarily through the production of:
   A) Carbon dioxide
   B) Methane
   C) Nitrous oxide
   D) Ozone

10. Which of the following is suggested as a way for consumers to reduce food waste?
    A) Growing their own food
    B) Eating only organic produce
    C) Better planning and storage
    D) Avoiding packaged foods

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the correct paragraphs in the passage. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to questions 11-14.

i. Global recognition and action
ii. The scale of wasted resources
iii. Contamination beyond greenhouse gases
iv. The energy cost of wasted food
v. Wasted water in food production
vi. Landfills and methane emissions
vii. The paradox of food waste
viii. Solutions for reducing food waste

11. Paragraph 2 _____
12. Paragraph 3 _____
13. Paragraph 6 _____
14. Paragraph 8 _____

Answer Key

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False
5. True
6. False
7. False
8. C
9. B
10. C
11. ii
12. v
13. iii
14. i

Explanation

1. True – The passage explicitly states “approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted.”

2. False – The passage states that food waste occupies “nearly 30% of the world’s agricultural land area,” not more than half.

3. True – The passage directly states “The agriculture sector accounts for about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals.”

4. False – The passage states that if food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter, not the largest.

5. True – The passage explicitly states that methane is “25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere.”

6. False – The passage mentions that leachate can contaminate both soil and groundwater.

7. False – The passage states that reducing food waste would help conserve biodiversity.

8. C – Ocean acidification is not mentioned in the passage as an impact of food waste.

9. B – The passage states that food waste in landfills produces methane.

10. C – The passage mentions “better planning, storage, and use of leftovers” as ways for consumers to reduce food waste.

11. ii – This paragraph discusses the land and resources wasted in producing food that is discarded.

12. v – This paragraph focuses on the water wasted in producing food that is never consumed.

13. iii – This paragraph discusses leachate, a form of contamination beyond greenhouse gases.

14. i – This paragraph discusses global efforts and increasing awareness to combat food waste.

Common Mistakes

When tackling a passage like this, students often make the following mistakes:

1. Overlooking specific details: For example, mistaking the percentage of agricultural land used for wasted food (30%) for a larger figure.

2. Confusing similar concepts: Such as mixing up the potency of different greenhouse gases or their sources.

3. Making assumptions: Inferring information that isn’t explicitly stated in the passage, particularly for Not Given questions.

4. Misinterpreting comparisons: For instance, misunderstanding the ranking of food waste as a greenhouse gas emitter compared to countries.

5. Failing to recognize paraphrasing: The answers may not use the exact wording from the passage, so it’s crucial to understand the meaning, not just recognize words.

Vocabulary

• Paradox (noun): /ˈpærədɒks/ – A seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or situation that may actually be true.
• Malnutrition (noun): /ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃn/ – Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat or not eating enough of the right things.
• Arable (adjective): /ˈærəbl/ – (of land) Suitable for growing crops.
• Deforestation (noun): /ˌdiːfɒrɪˈsteɪʃn/ – The action of clearing a wide area of trees.
• Biodiversity (noun): /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsəti/ – The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat.
• Anaerobic (adjective): /ˌænəˈrəʊbɪk/ – Relating to or requiring an absence of free oxygen.
• Leachate (noun): /ˈliːtʃeɪt/ – The liquid that drains or ‘leaches’ from a landfill.

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage:

• “If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases…”

This is an example of a second conditional sentence, used to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations. The structure is:

If + past simple, would + infinitive

This structure is often used in academic writing to discuss potential scenarios or consequences.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

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

2. Skim and scan: Quickly skim the passage for general understanding, then scan for specific information when answering questions.

3. Pay attention to keywords: Identify key terms in both the passage and questions to help you locate relevant information quickly.

4. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, asking questions, and summarizing main ideas as you read.

5. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words and their contextual usage to enhance your comprehension of complex texts.

6. Familiarize yourself with question types: Practice with all types of IELTS Reading questions to become comfortable with their formats and requirements.

7. Read widely: Expose yourself to a variety of academic texts on different subjects to build your reading stamina and broaden your knowledge base.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. By focusing on these areas and regularly engaging with complex texts, you’ll be well-prepared for the challenges of the IELTS Reading test.

For more practice on environmental topics, you might find our articles on the effects of environmental degradation on health and the impact of microplastics on marine life helpful for expanding your vocabulary and understanding of related issues.