The IELTS Reading section tests various skills, including understanding complex texts and answering questions based on those texts. A topic that frequently appears in IELTS Reading tests is climate change, specifically how it affects coastal communities. Given the increasing global awareness of climate change, this topic is highly relevant and likely to appear in future exams.
In this article, we’ll examine “How does climate change impact coastal communities?”, and provide a sample IELTS Reading passage along with questions and answers. This will help you practice and prepare for this common topic.
Sample Reading Passage
Climate Change and Coastal Communities
Climate change significantly impacts coastal communities around the world. Rising sea levels, increased storm intensity, and shifts in fish populations are just a few of the ways in which these communities are affected. For instance, in Bangladesh, nearly 700 kilometers of coastline are at risk due to rising sea levels. This has forced thousands of people to migrate inland, creating environmental refugees.
Erosion is another serious problem. Coastal erosion happens when waves and currents remove sand and soil from the shore, progressively eating away at the land. This can lead to the loss of property and even lives. The Maldives, for example, are facing severe erosion that threatens their very existence.
Moreover, climate change affects fish populations by altering water temperatures and currents. Warmer waters can drive fish species to migrate toward the poles, disrupting local fishing communities. For instance, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, commercial fisheries have reported declining catches of salmon, attributing this to higher sea temperatures.
Storms and hurricanes have also become more intense and frequent due to climate change. This not only destroys homes and infrastructure but also contaminates freshwater supplies with saltwater. The Philippines experiences around 20 typhoons annually, many of which cause severe flooding and damage to coastal areas.
Finally, economic impacts cannot be ignored. Coastal tourism, a major revenue stream for countries like Thailand and the Caribbean islands, suffers when beaches erode and extreme weather events become more frequent. People lose their livelihoods, and governments struggle to rebuild and sustain these vital sectors.
In summary, climate change poses multifaceted challenges to coastal communities, affecting their environment, economy, and way of life.
Practice Questions
Multiple Choice
-
What is a primary cause of coastal erosion mentioned in the passage?
- A) Overfishing
- B) Rising sea levels
- C) Shifts in fish populations
- D) Increased tourism
-
Which country is highlighted as experiencing severe erosion?
- A) Bangladesh
- B) The United States
- C) The Maldives
- D) Thailand
-
How does climate change directly affect fish populations?
- A) By increasing storm intensity
- B) By increasing sea levels
- C) By changing water temperatures and currents
- D) By contaminating freshwater supplies
True/False/Not Given
-
Many environmental refugees are moving inland in Bangladesh due to rising sea levels.
- True
- False
- Not Given
-
Commercial fisheries in the Pacific Northwest have reported increased salmon catches due to climate change.
- True
- False
- Not Given
Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using words from the passage:
Climate change has a profound impact on (6), causing rising sea levels, intensified storms, and shifts in fish populations. For example, nearly (7) kilometers of Bangladesh’s coastline are at risk. Coastal (8) happens when waves and currents remove sand and soil. Warmer waters affect fish species, driving them to migrate and disrupting local (9) communities. Economic impacts include affected ___ (10), as seen in Thailand and the Caribbean islands.
Answer Keys
Multiple Choice
- B) Rising sea levels
- C) The Maldives
- C) By changing water temperatures and currents
True/False/Not Given
- True
- False
Summary Completion
- coastal communities
- 700
- erosion
- fishing
- tourism
Common Mistakes
One common mistake in IELTS Reading is failing to understand the overall meaning of the passage before diving into the questions. Always skim the passage first to get a general idea of its content and structure. Another mistake is confusing ‘True’, ‘False’, and ‘Not Given’ questions. Remember that ‘Not Given’ means the information is not present in the text at all.
Vocabulary List
- Erosion (noun) [ɪˈroʊʒən]: The process by which the surface of the Earth gets worn down.
- Example: Coastal erosion is threatening houses along the shore.
- Environmental refugees (noun phrase) [ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl ˌrɛfjuˈdʒiz]: People forced to leave their homes due to environmental changes.
- Example: Rising sea levels have created thousands of environmental refugees.
- Commercial fisheries (noun phrase) [kəˈmɜrʃəl ˈfɪʃəriz]: Places where fish are bred and caught for commercial purposes.
- Example: The Pacific Northwest’s commercial fisheries are affected by fish migration.
Grammar Tips
When talking about ongoing effects of climate change, it’s useful to use the present perfect continuous tense.
Example:
- Coastal communities have been experiencing increased storms and erosion due to climate change.
Formula: [S + have/has + been + V(ing)]
Final Advice
To excel in the IELTS Reading section, practice regularly with diverse topics, particularly current issues like climate change. Always pay attention to vocabulary and grammar, and practice different types of questions to become versatile in tackling any passage. Good luck!