How Does Climate Change Influence Global Tourism?

The IELTS Reading section is a significant component of the IELTS examination, designed to assess a candidate’s reading comprehension skills through a variety of texts within an hour. This section consists of 40 questions and is divided into three sections, each increasing in difficulty. Today, we’ll focus on a sample reading passage on the topic “How Does Climate Change Influence Global Tourism?”. This is a contemporary issue that has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams due to its relevance and complexity.

Given the critical impact of climate change on various global sectors, it’s likely this topic will continue to appear in future tests. In this article, I will provide a comprehensive practice test, guide you through the answers, highlight common mistakes, and review vital vocabulary and grammar.

Practice Reading Passage

Climate Change and Global Tourism

Climate change has become a defining issue of our times, impacting various sectors, including global tourism. This text explores the multifaceted relationship between climate change and tourism, highlighting both the challenges and potential responses by the tourism industry.

The rise in global temperatures is one of the most conspicuous indicators of climate change, which has resulted in several significant impacts on tourism. For example, popular tourist destinations like coral reefs and ski resorts are particularly vulnerable. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has witnessed extensive coral bleaching due to rising sea temperatures, diminishing its appeal to snorkelers and divers. Meanwhile, ski resorts in the Alps and other regions are facing shorter ski seasons and unpredictable snow cover, affecting winter sports tourism.

Coral Bleaching

In addition to environmental damage, climate change is also leading to more extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves. These events not only pose immediate risks to tourists’ safety but also have long-term effects on the infrastructure and reputation of tourist destinations. Cities like Venice face frequent flooding, which deters visitors and strains local resources.

On the flip side, some regions may see a potential increase in tourism due to climate change. For instance, warmer temperatures could extend the tourist seasons in places historically subject to harsh winters, such as parts of Northern Europe. However, this shift could come at the expense of traditional winter destinations, leading to economic disparities.

The tourism industry must adapt to these changing conditions. This could include adopting more sustainable practices, like minimizing carbon footprints through better energy efficiency and promoting eco-friendly travel options. Moreover, diversifying tourist attractions and developing climate-resilient infrastructure are necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.

In conclusion, while climate change poses significant challenges to global tourism, it also offers an opportunity for the industry to reform and become more sustainable. Responsible tourism can no longer be a choice but a necessity in preserving the world’s natural and cultural heritage.

Practice Questions

Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. According to the passage, what is one of the most immediately observable impacts of climate change on tourism?
   A. Increased tourism in colder regions
   B. Coral bleaching
   C. Improved tourist infrastructure
   D. Less frequent extreme weather events

2. Which of the following destinations is mentioned as facing challenges due to unpredictable snow cover?
   A. The Alps
   B. Great Barrier Reef
   C. Venice
   D. Northern Europe

Part 2: True/False/Not Given

3. The Great Barrier Reef has completely lost its appeal as a tourist destination because of coral bleaching.
   A. True
   B. False
   C. Not Given

4. Warmer temperatures could result in economic disparities among different tourist destinations.
   A. True
   B. False
   C. Not Given

Part 3: Sentence Completion

5. Extreme weather events such as hurricanes and floods can have ___ on the reputation of tourist destinations.

Part 4: Matching Information

Match the following regions with the impacts or adaptations mentioned in the passage.
6. Great Barrier Reef
A. Warmer tourist seasons
B. Extensive coral bleaching
C. Frequent flooding

7. Northern Europe
   A. Shorter ski seasons
   B. Warmer tourist seasons
   C. Diminishing appeal for snorkelers

Answer Key and Explanations

1. B. Coral bleaching: The passage mentions coral bleaching as an observable impact of climate change on tourist destinations like the Great Barrier Reef.
2. A. The Alps: The text indicates that ski resorts in the Alps face challenges due to shorter and unpredictable snow seasons.
3. B. False: The passage states that coral bleaching is affecting the Great Barrier Reef’s appeal but does not claim it has completely lost its appeal.
4. A. True: The passage suggests that warmer temperatures extending tourist seasons in some regions could lead to economic disparities among different tourist destinations.
5. long-term effects: Extreme weather events like hurricanes and floods can have long-term effects on the reputation of tourist destinations.
6. B. Extensive coral bleaching: The Great Barrier Reef is specifically mentioned as suffering from extensive coral bleaching.
7. B. Warmer tourist seasons: Northern Europe might experience increased tourism due to warmer temperatures extending the tourist seasons.

Common Mistakes

• Skimming Incorrectly: Many students skim too quickly and miss key details. Ensure you balance speed with comprehension.
• Misinterpreting Questions: Read the questions carefully to understand exactly what is being asked.
• Ignoring Synonyms: Sometimes the exact words from the passage won’t appear in the questions. Be aware of synonyms and paraphrasing.

Vocabulary

Difficult Words in the Passage

• Conspicuous (adjective): /kənˈspɪkjʊəs/ – very noticeable or attracting attention.
• Bleaching (noun): /ˈbliːtʃɪŋ/ – the process of becoming white or lighter in colour due to exposure to sunlight or chemicals.
• Infrastructure (noun): /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – the basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
• Mitigate (verb): /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ – to make less severe or serious.
• Resilient (adjective): /rɪˈzɪliənt/ – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Grammar Focus

Complex Sentence Structures

• Relative Clauses: The rise in global temperatures, which has resulted in several significant impacts on tourism, is one example.
  • Use: Provides extra information without starting a new sentence.
  • Example: The book, which I borrowed from the library, was fascinating.
• Passive Voice: The Great Barrier Reef has witnessed extensive coral bleaching.
  • Use: Emphasizes the action rather than who performed it.
  • Example: The cake was eaten by the children.

Advice for Improving IELTS Reading Scores

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice with diverse reading materials will improve speed and understanding.
• Expand Your Vocabulary: A broader vocabulary makes it easier to comprehend complex texts.
• Understand Question Types: Familiarize yourself with each type of IELTS reading question and develop strategies for tackling them.
• Time Management: Practice completing reading passages within the time limits to build your confidence and efficiency.