IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact Of Climate Change On Coastal Cities

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: the impact of climate change on coastal cities. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic.

Impact of climate change on coastal cities

Practice Passage: The Vulnerability of Coastal Cities to Climate Change

Text

Climate change poses a significant threat to coastal cities worldwide, with rising sea levels and increasing frequency of extreme weather events putting millions of people and billions of dollars worth of assets at risk. As global temperatures continue to rise, the challenges faced by these urban centers are becoming more complex and urgent.

One of the primary concerns for coastal cities is sea-level rise. As polar ice caps melt and oceans warm, causing thermal expansion, sea levels are projected to rise by up to one meter by the end of the century. This increase poses a direct threat to low-lying coastal areas, potentially submerging parts of cities and causing more frequent flooding events. Cities like Miami, Bangkok, and Jakarta are already experiencing regular flooding during high tides, a phenomenon known as “sunny day flooding.”

Storm surges, amplified by higher sea levels, present another significant risk. Coastal cities are increasingly vulnerable to tropical cyclones and hurricanes, which can cause catastrophic damage through a combination of high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. The devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy on New York City in 2012 and Hurricane Harvey on Houston in 2017 serves as stark reminders of this vulnerability.

Coastal erosion is accelerating as a result of climate change, threatening infrastructure and ecosystems alike. Rising sea levels and more powerful waves are wearing away coastlines at an alarming rate, jeopardizing buildings, roads, and natural habitats. In some cases, entire communities are at risk of being washed away, as seen in parts of Alaska where Native villages are being forced to relocate due to rapid coastal erosion.

The economic implications of these climate-related threats are staggering. A study by the World Bank estimates that without significant adaptation measures, damage to coastal urban areas could cost up to $1 trillion annually by 2050. This figure includes direct damage to infrastructure and property, as well as indirect costs such as disruption to business and trade.

Adaptation strategies are becoming increasingly crucial for coastal cities. Many are investing in physical barriers such as sea walls and levees to protect against flooding and storm surges. Rotterdam in the Netherlands, for example, has developed an extensive system of dikes, barriers, and storm surge barriers to protect the city, which lies largely below sea level.

Other cities are focusing on nature-based solutions. New York City’s plan to restore oyster reefs in Jamaica Bay is an example of how ecosystems can be harnessed to provide natural coastal protection. These reefs act as breakwaters, reducing the impact of waves and storm surges while also improving water quality and biodiversity.

Some urban planners are advocating for a managed retreat from the most vulnerable coastal areas. This controversial approach involves gradually moving people and infrastructure away from high-risk zones. While politically challenging, it may become necessary for some communities facing existential threats from sea-level rise.

Improving urban planning and building codes is another critical aspect of adaptation. Miami, for instance, has updated its building codes to require new construction to be elevated and more resilient to flooding. Green infrastructure, such as permeable pavements and urban green spaces, is being integrated into city designs to better manage stormwater and reduce flood risks.

The challenge of climate change for coastal cities is immense, but so too is the opportunity for innovation and resilience. As these urban centers adapt to the changing climate, they have the potential to become models for sustainable, climate-resilient development. The solutions developed in these frontline communities may well shape the future of urban living in a warming world.

Questions

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

According to the passage, sea levels are expected to rise by up to:
A) 0.5 meters by 2050
B) 1 meter by the end of the century
C) 2 meters by 2100
D) 0.5 meters annually
The term “sunny day flooding” refers to:
A) Flooding caused by extreme rainfall
B) Regular flooding during high tides
C) Flooding due to storm surges
D) Overflow of rivers during sunny weather
The World Bank estimates that damage to coastal urban areas could cost up to ____ annually by 2050 without significant adaptation measures.
A) $100 billion
B) $500 billion
C) $1 trillion
D) $2 trillion
Which city has developed an extensive system of dikes and barriers to protect against flooding?
A) Miami
B) New York City
C) Rotterdam
D) Jakarta
The passage mentions that some urban planners advocate for:
A) Building more sea walls
B) Increasing population density in coastal areas
C) Managed retreat from vulnerable coastal areas
D) Constructing floating cities

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

Climate change is causing more frequent __ __ events in coastal cities.
The combination of high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges during tropical cyclones can cause __ __.
Coastal erosion is threatening both infrastructure and __.
New York City’s plan to restore __ __ in Jamaica Bay is an example of a nature-based solution for coastal protection.
Miami has updated its __ __ to require new construction to be more resilient to flooding.

Answer Key and Explanations

B) 1 meter by the end of the century
Explanation: The passage states, “sea levels are projected to rise by up to one meter by the end of the century.”
B) Regular flooding during high tides
Explanation: The text mentions “Cities like Miami, Bangkok, and Jakarta are already experiencing regular flooding during high tides, a phenomenon known as ‘sunny day flooding.'”
C) $1 trillion
Explanation: The passage notes, “A study by the World Bank estimates that without significant adaptation measures, damage to coastal urban areas could cost up to $1 trillion annually by 2050.”
C) Rotterdam
Explanation: The text states, “Rotterdam in the Netherlands, for example, has developed an extensive system of dikes, barriers, and storm surge barriers to protect the city.”
C) Managed retreat from vulnerable coastal areas
Explanation: The passage mentions, “Some urban planners are advocating for a managed retreat from the most vulnerable coastal areas.”
extreme weather
Explanation: The passage refers to “increasing frequency of extreme weather events.”
catastrophic damage
Explanation: The text states that tropical cyclones and hurricanes “can cause catastrophic damage through a combination of high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.”
ecosystems
Explanation: The passage mentions that coastal erosion is “threatening infrastructure and ecosystems alike.”
oyster reefs
Explanation: The text refers to “New York City’s plan to restore oyster reefs in Jamaica Bay.”
building codes
Explanation: The passage states, “Miami, for instance, has updated its building codes to require new construction to be elevated and more resilient to flooding.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Misreading numbers: Pay close attention to specific figures mentioned in the text, such as the projected sea-level rise and economic costs.
Overlooking synonyms: Be aware that the passage may use different words to express the same concept as in the questions. For example, “extreme weather events” in the question might be referred to as “tropical cyclones and hurricanes” in the text.
Falling for distractors: Some answer options may contain information from the passage but not directly answer the question. Always refer back to the specific information requested.
Neglecting context: Ensure you understand the context of the information. For instance, the mention of Rotterdam’s flood protection system is specifically about that city, not a general statement about all coastal cities.
Ignoring time frames: Pay attention to when events are projected to happen. The sea-level rise projection, for example, is for the end of the century, not the immediate future.

Vocabulary Focus

Vulnerability: susceptibility to harm
Thermal expansion: increase in volume due to heat
Storm surge: abnormal rise of water generated by a storm
Catastrophic: causing sudden great damage or suffering
Erosion: gradual destruction by natural forces
Adaptation: the process of changing to suit different conditions
Resilience: the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties
Managed retreat: the purposeful, coordinated movement of people and assets away from risks

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of conditional sentences in the passage, such as:

“Without significant adaptation measures, damage to coastal urban areas could cost up to $1 trillion annually by 2050.”

This is an example of a second conditional sentence, used to talk about hypothetical situations and their potential consequences. The structure is:

If + past simple, would/could + infinitive

In this case, the “if” clause is implied: “[If we don’t implement] significant adaptation measures, damage… could cost…”

Understanding these structures can help you grasp the nuanced predictions and warnings presented in academic texts about climate change and other complex topics.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

Practice active reading: Engage with the text by highlighting key information and making mental notes of main ideas.
Improve your time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
Expand your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to common IELTS topics like climate change, urbanization, and environmental issues.
Familiarize yourself with question types: Practice with all types of IELTS Reading questions to become comfortable with their formats and requirements.
Read widely: Expose yourself to a variety of academic texts on different subjects to improve your reading speed and comprehension.
Use context clues: When encountering unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding context.
Don’t panic if you encounter difficult sections: If you find a part of the text challenging, move on and return to it later if time allows.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and a strategic approach. By familiarizing yourself with topics like the impact of climate change on coastal cities, you’ll be better prepared to tackle similar passages in the actual test. Keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement in your reading skills and overall performance.

For more practice on climate-related topics, you might find these resources helpful:

Good luck with your IELTS preparation!

IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact of Climate Change on Coastal Cities