Mastering IELTS Reading: Effects of Rising Sea Levels on Coastal Cities

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: the effects of rising sea levels on coastal cities. This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance to global environmental concerns, is likely to resurface in future tests.

Based on data analysis from internet sources, this topic has shown a steady increase in frequency over the past decade, reflecting its growing importance in academic and public discourse. As climate change continues to be a pressing global issue, we can expect questions related to sea level rise and its impact on urban areas to remain a staple in IELTS Reading passages.

Let’s dive into a practice exercise that mimics the actual IELTS Reading test, focusing on this critical environmental challenge.

IELTS Reading Practice: Rising Seas and Coastal Cities

Reading Passage

Rising sea levels pose an unprecedented threat to coastal cities worldwide. As global temperatures continue to climb, the melting of polar ice caps and thermal expansion of oceans are causing sea levels to rise at an alarming rate. This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences for urban areas situated along coastlines, affecting millions of people and billions of dollars worth of infrastructure.

One of the most immediate impacts of rising seas is increased flooding. Cities like Miami, Venice, and Bangkok are already experiencing more frequent and severe flood events. These floods not only disrupt daily life but also cause significant damage to buildings, roads, and other critical infrastructure. In Miami, for instance, “sunny day flooding” has become a regular occurrence, with seawater backing up through storm drains even on clear days.

Erosion is another major concern for coastal cities. As sea levels rise, waves and currents eat away at shorelines, destabilizing buildings and threatening to wash away beaches. This is particularly problematic for cities that rely on their coastlines for tourism, such as those along the Mediterranean or in the Caribbean.

The intrusion of saltwater into freshwater aquifers is a less visible but equally serious problem. As sea levels rise, saltwater can seep into underground freshwater supplies, contaminating drinking water and affecting agriculture. This is already a significant issue in low-lying areas like Bangladesh and some Pacific Island nations.

Rising seas also pose a threat to urban ecology. Coastal wetlands, which act as natural buffers against storms and provide habitats for diverse species, are at risk of being submerged. This loss of natural protection leaves cities more vulnerable to storm surges and reduces biodiversity in urban areas.

The economic implications of sea level rise for coastal cities are staggering. The cost of building and maintaining sea defenses, such as seawalls and levees, runs into billions of dollars. Moreover, the potential loss of real estate value in flood-prone areas could lead to significant economic downturns in affected cities.

In response to these challenges, many coastal cities are developing adaptation strategies. Some, like Rotterdam in the Netherlands, are pioneering innovative flood defense systems. Others, such as Jakarta in Indonesia, are considering more drastic measures like relocating the entire city to higher ground.

However, adaptation alone may not be sufficient. Many experts argue that mitigating climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to slowing sea level rise and giving coastal cities more time to prepare. This requires coordinated global action, as the fate of coastal cities is inextricably linked to worldwide climate policies.

As we look to the future, it’s clear that rising sea levels will continue to shape the development and sustainability of coastal urban areas. Cities will need to balance immediate adaptation measures with long-term planning and global cooperation to address this monumental challenge.

Questions

1-5. Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a direct cause of rising sea levels?
   A) Melting of polar ice caps
   B) Thermal expansion of oceans
   C) Increased rainfall
   D) Global temperature increase

2. The term “sunny day flooding” in Miami refers to:
   A) Floods caused by excessive sunlight
   B) Flooding that occurs even without rain
   C) A new tourist attraction
   D) A type of storm drain

3. Which of the following is described as a less visible problem caused by rising sea levels?
   A) Erosion of shorelines
   B) Damage to buildings
   C) Saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers
   D) Loss of beaches

4. The passage suggests that coastal wetlands:
   A) Are unaffected by rising sea levels
   B) Contribute to increased flooding
   C) Provide natural protection against storms
   D) Are being artificially created in urban areas

5. The city of Jakarta is considering:
   A) Building more seawalls
   B) Developing new flood defense systems
   C) Relocating the entire city
   D) Expanding its coastline

6-10. Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. Rising sea levels affect not only people but also billions of dollars worth of ____.

7. Cities that depend on their coastlines for ____ are particularly affected by erosion.

8. The potential loss of ____ ____ in flood-prone areas could lead to economic downturns.

9. Rotterdam is described as a pioneer in innovative ____ ____ systems.

10. Many experts believe that ____ ____ ____ is crucial for slowing sea level rise.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. C
   Explanation: The passage mentions melting polar ice caps, thermal expansion of oceans, and global temperature increase as causes of rising sea levels, but increased rainfall is not mentioned.

2. B
   Explanation: The passage states that “sunny day flooding” occurs “with seawater backing up through storm drains even on clear days,” indicating that it happens without rain.

3. C
   Explanation: The passage describes saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers as “a less visible but equally serious problem.”

4. C
   Explanation: The text states that coastal wetlands “act as natural buffers against storms,” indicating they provide natural protection.

5. C
   Explanation: The passage mentions that Jakarta is “considering more drastic measures like relocating the entire city to higher ground.”

6. infrastructure
   Explanation: The passage states that rising sea levels affect “billions of dollars worth of infrastructure.”

7. tourism
   Explanation: The text mentions that erosion is particularly problematic for “cities that rely on their coastlines for tourism.”

8. real estate
   Explanation: The passage refers to “the potential loss of real estate value in flood-prone areas.”

9. flood defense
   Explanation: Rotterdam is described as “pioneering innovative flood defense systems.”

10. mitigating climate change
    Explanation: The passage states that “mitigating climate change through reduced greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to slowing sea level rise.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “less visible” or “immediate impacts” which can guide you to the correct answer.
2. Misinterpreting cause and effect: Ensure you understand the relationships between events, such as how rising temperatures lead to sea level rise.
3. Generalizing information: Be specific in your answers, using the exact words from the passage when required.
4. Rushing through the text: Take time to understand the context, especially for questions about less prominent details.

Key Vocabulary

• Unprecedented (adjective): /ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd/ – never done or known before
• Thermal expansion (noun phrase): /ˈθɜːməl ɪkˈspænʃən/ – increase in volume due to temperature rise
• Erosion (noun): /ɪˈrəʊʒən/ – gradual destruction of something by natural forces
• Intrusion (noun): /ɪnˈtruːʒən/ – the action of intruding or the state of being intruded on
• Aquifer (noun): /ˈækwɪfə(r)/ – a layer of rock or soil able to hold or transmit water
• Mitigation (noun): /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn/ – the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present continuous tense to describe ongoing processes:

• “As global temperatures continue to climb, the melting of polar ice caps and thermal expansion of oceans are causing sea levels to rise at an alarming rate.”

This structure (Subject + be + verb-ing) is commonly used to describe current trends and ongoing actions, which is particularly relevant for environmental topics.

Rising sea levels impact on coastal cities

Tips for Success in IELTS Reading

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, asking questions, and summarizing key points.
2. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly study academic word lists and environmental terminology.
3. Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading and answering questions.
4. Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify main ideas and locate specific information.
5. Stay informed: Read widely on current affairs, especially environmental issues, to build background knowledge.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. Focus on understanding the overall message while being attentive to specific details. As you prepare, consider exploring related topics such as the effects of global warming on local economies and the impacts of climate change on urban areas to broaden your understanding of environmental challenges.

By mastering these skills and expanding your knowledge base, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any reading passage in the IELTS exam, including those on critical environmental issues like the effects of rising sea levels on coastal cities.