How is Renewable Energy Influencing International Relations? – An IELTS Reading Practice Test

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial part of the IELTS examination, featuring a variety of texts and question types that assess your reading comprehension skills. One popular topic that frequently appears in this section is renewable energy and its impact on different aspects of society, including international relations. Given the increasing global focus on sustainable energy, this topic is not only timely but also has appeared in past IELTS exams and is likely to be relevant in future tests.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive IELTS Reading practice test focused on “How Is Renewable Energy Influencing International Relations?” You’ll find a full reading passage, followed by a range of question types that mimic the IELTS Reading test, complete with answer keys and detailed explanations. This article aims to give you a realistic practice experience to prepare you for the actual IELTS Reading section.

Reading Passage

Below you will find a reading passage in the “Medium Text” format, which is generally the level of difficulty you might encounter in the IELTS Reading test.

Renewable Energy and International Relations

The transition to renewable energy is having a profound impact on international relations, shifting power dynamics and economic dependencies. As countries strive to meet carbon reduction targets, the move away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower is reshaping geopolitical landscapes.

Historically, oil-exporting countries wielded significant global influence due to their control over energy supplies. However, as the world pivots to renewable energy, nations rich in renewable resources are emerging as new power players. For instance, countries with abundant sunlight and land such as China and India are becoming major producers of solar energy. Meanwhile, coastal nations with strong wind currents are investing heavily in wind farms.

solar panels field

The shift towards renewable energy also brings opportunities for new alliances. For example, the European Union (EU) has been investing in solar power initiatives in North Africa, enhancing diplomatic ties in the process. Additionally, technological advancements in energy storage and grid infrastructure are enabling countries to share surplus energy across borders, facilitating regional cooperation.

Renewable energy is also influencing trade policies. Countries that specialize in the production of renewable technologies, like Germany and Sweden, are exporting their expertise and equipment globally, creating economic dependencies that influence trade relations. This transition is not without its challenges, however. Access to rare earth minerals essential for renewable energy technologies, such as lithium for batteries and neodymium for turbines, is concentrated in a few countries, leading to new forms of resource competition.

Moreover, the switch to renewable energy necessitates substantial financial investment, posing a challenge to developing nations with limited resources. International financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are becoming more involved in funding renewable energy projects, impacting the global financial landscape.

In conclusion, renewable energy is not just an environmental imperative but a significant factor shaping international relations. As countries navigate this transition, the geopolitical ramifications will continue to evolve, redefining power structures and economic interdependencies.

Practice Questions

Based on the passage, answer the following questions. Various question types are used to reflect the structure of the IELTS Reading test.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the passage, what is one effect of the shift towards renewable energy?
   a. Increased influence of oil-exporting countries.
   b. New economic dependencies between countries.
   c. Reduced need for international cooperation.
   d. Decline in the importance of trade policies.

2. Which countries are mentioned as becoming major producers of solar energy?
   a. Germany and Sweden.
   b. China and India.
   c. Saudi Arabia and Iran.
   d. USA and Canada.

Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)

3. The European Union has been investing in wind farms in North Africa.

   • True
   • False
   • Not Given

4. Coastal nations are investing in solar energy to capitalize on strong sunlight.

   • True
   • False
   • Not Given

Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the appropriate paragraph from the passage.

5. Economic Dependencies and Trade Policies
6. Historical Influence of Oil-Exporting Countries
7. Financial Investments in Renewable Energy
8. New Alliances and Diplomatic Ties

Sentence Completion

Complete the following sentences with NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

9. Technological advancements in _____ are enabling countries to share energy across borders.
10. Rare earth minerals essential for renewable technologies, such as _____ and neodymium, are concentrated in a few countries.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. b. New economic dependencies between countries. – The passage discusses how countries that specialize in renewable technologies are exporting their expertise and equipment, creating economic dependencies.
2. b. China and India. – The passage specifically mentions these countries as becoming major producers of solar energy due to their abundant sunlight and land.
3. False. – The passage states that the European Union has been investing in solar power initiatives in North Africa, not wind farms.
4. False. – The passage mentions that coastal nations are investing in wind farms, not solar energy.
5. Economic Dependencies and Trade Policies – Paragraph discussing how countries like Germany and Sweden export their renewable technologies.
6. Historical Influence of Oil-Exporting Countries – Paragraph discussing the past influence of oil-exporting countries.
7. Financial Investments in Renewable Energy – Paragraph covering the involvement of international financial institutions in funding renewable projects.
8. New Alliances and Diplomatic Ties – Paragraph discussing the EU’s investment in North Africa for solar power initiatives and regional cooperation.
9. energy storage and grid infrastructure – Complete sentence: Technological advancements in energy storage and grid infrastructure are enabling countries to share energy across borders.
10. lithium for batteries – Complete sentence: Rare earth minerals essential for renewable technologies, such as lithium for batteries and neodymium, are concentrated in a few countries.

Common Mistakes

• Misinterpreting headings and questions due to similar keywords.
• Overlooking the importance of rare earth minerals in the context of renewable energy technologies.
• Ignoring the specific examples given, which can provide clear indications for matching headings or answering true/false/not given questions.

Vocabulary

• Geopolitical (adj) /ˌdʒiː.oʊˌpəˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/: relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
• Diplomatic (adj) /ˌdɪp.ləˈmæt.ɪk/: involving the management of relationships between countries.
• Surplus (n) /ˈsɜːr.pləs/: an amount that is more than what is needed.
• Interdependencies (n) /ˌɪn.t̬ɚ.deˈpen.dən.siz/: mutual reliance between two or more groups.

Grammar

• Relative Clauses: “As countries strive to meet carbon reduction targets, the move away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower is reshaping geopolitical landscapes.”
• Passive Voice: “The transition to renewable energy is having a profound impact on international relations.”

Tips for High IELTS Reading Scores

1. Practice Regularly: Routinely practice reading different types of texts to become familiar with various topics and question types.
2. Time Management: Allocate time wisely for each passage and set of questions, ensuring you have sufficient time for all sections.
3. Skim and Scan: Develop skills in skimming and scanning to quickly locate information and details in the text.
4. Vocabulary Building: Continuously expand your vocabulary to better understand complex passages.
5. Understand Question Types: Familiarize yourself with different question types to quickly identify strategies for answering them.

By thoroughly understanding and practicing with this article, you are well on your way to mastering the IELTS Reading section. Good luck!