The IELTS Reading section is often considered one of the most challenging parts of the IELTS exam. This section measures your ability to understand and analyze written texts on various subjects. Topics may vary from social issues, historical events to scientific studies. Recently, climate change and its impacts have become pertinent themes, especially the effect of climate change on freshwater availability. This topic is not only relevant due to its global significance but also because of its increasingly frequent appearance in IELTS reading tests.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive IELTS reading practice aligned with the actual test format. We aim to help you understand the topic “How does climate change affect freshwater availability?” and sharpen your reading skills.
Reading Passage
Climate Change and Freshwater Availability
Freshwater is one of the most critical natural resources necessary for human survival, agriculture, and industry. However, the availability of freshwater around the globe is becoming increasingly unpredictable due to the effects of climate change. The alteration of precipitation patterns, the melting of glaciers, and the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are amongst the major contributors to this issue.
Current studies have shown considerable variation in regional impacts of climate change on freshwater resources. For instance, some regions may experience increased rainfall leading to flooding and waterlogging, adversely affecting water quality and availability. Conversely, other regions may suffer from prolonged droughts, drastically reducing the available fresh water.
One significant avenue through which climate change affects freshwater is the alteration of the hydrological cycle. Increased global temperatures result in accelerated evaporation rates, heightened moisture retention in the atmosphere, and subsequently altered precipitation patterns. This variability can lead to either excessive or deficient rainfall, thereby affecting freshwater availability.
The melting of glaciers and ice caps is another profound effect of climate change. Glaciers act as natural freshwater reservoirs, gradually releasing water throughout the year. As global temperatures rise, these glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, leading to an initial increase in freshwater flows followed by a potential long-term depletion.
Moreover, extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, and heavy storms, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, pose additional threats. These events can cause contamination of freshwater resources, damage infrastructure, and disrupt water supply systems, making it harder to secure clean drinking water.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating better water management practices, investment in water infrastructure, and global cooperation to mitigate climate change. Policymakers, scientists, and communities must work together to ensure that the world’s freshwater resources remain sustainable for future generations.
Questions
Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
- Freshwater availability is decreasing globally due to climate change.
- Increased global temperatures lead to reduced evaporation rates.
- Melting glaciers initially increase freshwater availability.
- Hurricanes and typhoons do not affect freshwater resources.
- A multifaceted approach is necessary to address freshwater challenges.
Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims (Yes/No/Not Given)
- Better water management practices alone can solve freshwater availability issues.
- Policymakers play a crucial role in ensuring sustainable freshwater resources.
- Increased rainfall always improves water quality and availability.
Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below. Choose no more than TWO words from the passage for each answer.
- Freshwater is critical for human ___, agriculture, and industry.
- The melting of glaciers leads to an initial ___ in freshwater flows but may cause long-term depletion.
Summary Completion
Complete the summary using the list of words A-F below.
Climate change has many effects on freshwater availability, such as altering patterns and causing more weather events. This results in either excessive or deficient , affecting freshwater resources. Furthermore, the of glaciers contributes to this issue.
A. extreme
B. precipitation
C. long-term
D. temperatures
E. rainfall
F. melting
Answers and Explanations
Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
- True – The passage indicates that freshwater availability is becoming unpredictable and decreasing in some regions.
- False – The passage mentions increased global temperatures lead to accelerated evaporation rates.
- True – Initially, there is an increase in freshwater flows, but long-term depletion is a risk.
- False – The passage explains that extreme weather events such as hurricanes can contaminate freshwater resources.
- True – A multi-faceted approach is necessary as mentioned in the last paragraph.
Identifying Writer’s Views/Claims (Yes/No/Not Given)
- No – The passage suggests a combination of better water management, infrastructure investment, and global cooperation.
- Yes – The passage states the importance of policymakers in ensuring sustainable freshwater resources.
- No – Increased rainfall can lead to flooding and adversely affect water quality and availability.
Sentence Completion
- survival
- increase
Summary Completion
Climate change has many effects on freshwater availability, such as altering (B) precipitation patterns and causing more (A) extreme weather events. This results in either excessive or deficient (E) rainfall, affecting freshwater resources. Furthermore, the (F) melting of glaciers contributes to this issue.
Common Mistakes
- Misinterpreting Question Types: Ensure you understand whether the question asks for True/False/Not Given or Yes/No/Not Given as these target different types of information.
- Overlooking Keywords: In sentence or summary completion tasks, always identify keywords in the prompts to guide your answers.
- Over-generalizing Information: Stick precisely to what the passage says without adding additional assumptions.
Vocabulary
- Precipitation (n) /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃən/: The process by which any form of water falls from the atmosphere to the ground.
- Hydrological (adj) /ˌhaɪdrəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/: Related to the study of water movement on Earth.
- Reservoir (n) /ˈrɛzəvwɑː/: A large natural or artificial lake used as a source of water supply.
- Mitigation (n) /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/: The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
Grammar
- Relative Clauses: “which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, pose additional threats.”
- Present Perfect Tense: “Glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates.”
Recommendations
- Familiarize yourself with a wide range of topics, as IELTS Reading passages can cover a variety of subjects.
- Practice with timed exercises to get used to the pace required during the actual exam.
- Always review your errors to understand why your answer was incorrect and how it can be improved.
For more insights and resources on how climate change impacts freshwater availability, you may want to read these related articles: What are the consequences of climate change on freshwater availability?, What are the effects of climate change on global water cycles?.