IELTS Reading Practice: Impact of Deforestation on Global Weather Patterns

Welcome to our IELTS Reading practice session focused on the “Impact of Deforestation on Global Weather Patterns.” As an experienced IELTS instructor, I’ve prepared a comprehensive practice test that mirrors the actual IELTS Reading exam. This test will help you enhance your reading skills while exploring the critical environmental issue of deforestation and its effects on global climate.

Deforestation impact on global weather

IELTS Reading Test: Deforestation and Global Weather

Passage 1 – Easy Text

Deforestation is the clearing of forests on a massive scale, often resulting in damage to the quality of the land. Forests cover about 30% of the world’s land area, but they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Between 1990 and 2016, the world lost 502,000 square miles (1.3 million square kilometers) of forest, according to the World Bank—an area larger than South Africa.

Forests play a crucial role in the water cycle, regulating the flow of water vapour into the atmosphere through a process called transpiration. Trees act like giant straws, drawing water from the soil and releasing it into the air. In the Amazon rainforest, for example, more than half of the water in the ecosystem remains within the plants’ intricate system. The moisture is then returned to the atmosphere through transpiration.

When forests are cut down, the intricate balance of the water cycle is disrupted. This can lead to changes in precipitation patterns, not just locally but also in distant regions. Deforested areas receive less rainfall because there are fewer trees to release water vapor into the atmosphere. This reduction in rainfall can lead to drought conditions, which can have severe consequences for agriculture and biodiversity.

Moreover, deforestation contributes to climate change, which in turn affects global weather patterns. Trees absorb carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere. When forests are cleared or burned, the stored carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming. As the Earth’s temperature rises, it alters weather patterns, leading to more extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Questions 1-5: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

1. According to the passage, what percentage of the world’s land area is covered by forests?
   A) 20%
   B) 25%
   C) 30%
   D) 35%

2. How much forest area was lost between 1990 and 2016?
   A) 502,000 square miles
   B) 1.3 million square kilometers
   C) An area smaller than South Africa
   D) Both A and B

3. What role do forests play in the water cycle?
   A) They prevent water from entering the atmosphere
   B) They regulate the flow of water vapour into the atmosphere
   C) They increase the amount of rainfall in deforested areas
   D) They have no significant impact on the water cycle

4. What happens to the water cycle when forests are cut down?
   A) It remains unchanged
   B) It becomes more efficient
   C) Its balance is disrupted
   D) It increases rainfall in the area

5. How does deforestation contribute to climate change?
   A) By increasing the Earth’s temperature
   B) By releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere
   C) By causing more extreme weather events
   D) All of the above

Questions 6-10: True/False/Not Given

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage? Write

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

6. Deforestation only affects local weather patterns.

7. The Amazon rainforest retains more than half of its water within the plants’ system.

8. Deforested areas typically receive more rainfall than forested areas.

9. Climate change caused by deforestation can lead to more extreme weather events.

10. Reforestation can help mitigate the effects of deforestation on weather patterns.

Passage 2 – Medium Text

The intricate relationship between deforestation and global weather patterns extends far beyond local ecosystems. Recent studies have revealed that the impacts of large-scale forest clearing can be felt across continents, altering precipitation patterns and atmospheric circulation on a global scale.

One of the most significant effects of deforestation on weather patterns is the alteration of the “flying rivers” phenomenon. This term refers to the movement of water vapor through the atmosphere, often traveling thousands of kilometers before falling as rain. In the Amazon rainforest, for example, trees release vast amounts of water vapor through transpiration, creating airborne rivers that carry moisture across South America. As deforestation progresses, these flying rivers are disrupted, leading to decreased rainfall in regions far from the Amazon basin.

The impact of deforestation on global weather is not limited to changes in precipitation. Forest loss also affects temperature patterns, both locally and globally. Forests play a crucial role in moderating surface temperatures through a process called evaporative cooling. When trees are removed, this natural cooling mechanism is lost, leading to higher surface temperatures and altered heat distribution patterns across the globe.

Moreover, deforestation contributes to the formation of atmospheric “heat islands” – areas of higher temperature surrounded by cooler regions. These heat islands can disrupt normal air circulation patterns, potentially altering wind directions and speeds. Such changes can have far-reaching consequences, affecting weather systems thousands of miles away from the deforested areas.

The loss of forests also impacts the Earth’s albedo – the amount of solar radiation reflected back into space. Forested areas typically have a lower albedo than bare ground or agricultural land, meaning they absorb more solar radiation. When forests are cleared, the Earth’s surface becomes more reflective, altering the global energy balance and potentially influencing large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.

Research has shown that deforestation in tropical regions can affect weather patterns in temperate zones. For instance, a study published in Nature Climate Change suggested that deforestation in the Amazon could reduce rainfall in the U.S. Midwest during the critical growing season. This highlights the interconnected nature of global weather systems and the far-reaching impacts of forest loss.

As our understanding of these complex interactions grows, it becomes increasingly clear that preserving forests is not just a local or regional concern, but a global imperative. The health of our planet’s forests is inextricably linked to the stability of global weather patterns, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts and sustainable forest management practices worldwide.

Questions 11-15: Matching Headings

Match the following headings to the paragraphs in Passage 2. Write the correct number (i-viii) next to questions 11-15.

i. The Albedo Effect and Global Energy Balance
ii. Flying Rivers: Atmospheric Moisture Transport
iii. Deforestation and Heat Island Formation
iv. Global Impacts of Tropical Deforestation
v. Evaporative Cooling and Temperature Regulation
vi. The Interconnectedness of Forest Loss and Weather
vii. Deforestation’s Effect on Wind Patterns
viii. The Urgent Need for Forest Conservation

11. Paragraph 2: __
12. Paragraph 3: __
13. Paragraph 4: __
14. Paragraph 5: __
15. Paragraph 6: __

Questions 16-20: Summary Completion

Complete the summary below using words from the box. Write the correct letter (A-L) next to questions 16-20.

A. albedo B. circulation C. cooling D. flying rivers E. heat islands F. interconnected
G. moderating H. precipitation I. reflective J. temperate K. transpiration L. tropical

Deforestation has a significant impact on global weather patterns through various mechanisms. One such mechanism is the disruption of (16)__, which are responsible for transporting moisture across large distances. Forest loss also affects temperature patterns by reducing evaporative (17)__, leading to higher surface temperatures and the formation of atmospheric (18)__. The Earth’s (19)__ is also altered when forests are cleared, as the surface becomes more (20)__, potentially influencing large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns.

Passage 3 – Hard Text

The intricate interplay between deforestation and global weather patterns represents one of the most complex and consequential environmental challenges of our time. As we delve deeper into the mechanisms by which forest loss influences climate, we uncover a web of feedback loops and tipping points that underscore the urgency of forest conservation.

Recent research has illuminated the concept of “biotic pump,” a theory that posits forests as active drivers of atmospheric circulation, rather than passive recipients of weather patterns. According to this theory, proposed by scientists Anastassia Makarieva and Victor Gorshkov, large forests generate a powerful “pump” that draws moist air from the oceans inland. This process is driven by the high rate of water vapor condensation over forests, which creates a low-pressure system that pulls in moist air from adjacent areas.

The biotic pump theory has profound implications for our understanding of how deforestation affects global weather patterns. If forests indeed play an active role in driving atmospheric circulation, their loss could lead to far more dramatic and widespread changes in precipitation patterns than previously thought. For instance, the theory suggests that the extensive deforestation of coastal regions could lead to the desertification of continental interiors, as the mechanism for drawing moisture inland is disrupted.

Moreover, the impact of deforestation on weather patterns is not linear but often involves complex feedback loops. One such feedback loop involves the relationship between forest loss, drought, and fire. As deforestation progresses, it can lead to reduced rainfall and increased drought conditions. These drier conditions, in turn, make the remaining forests more susceptible to fires. Forest fires release large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and further altering weather patterns. This creates a vicious cycle where deforestation begets more deforestation through its impact on climate.

The concept of “tipping points” in Earth’s climate system is particularly relevant to the discussion of deforestation and weather patterns. A tipping point represents a threshold beyond which a system undergoes rapid and often irreversible change. In the context of forests and climate, scientists have identified potential tipping points in several major forest systems, including the Amazon rainforest.

Research suggests that if deforestation in the Amazon exceeds a certain threshold – estimated to be around 20-25% of the original forest cover – it could trigger a process known as “savannization.” This would involve a rapid transition from rainforest to savanna ecosystems, dramatically altering the region’s capacity to influence weather patterns. Such a transition would have far-reaching consequences, potentially altering precipitation patterns across South America and beyond.

The impact of deforestation on global weather patterns is further compounded by its interaction with other aspects of global environmental change. For instance, the loss of forests reduces the Earth’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, accelerating global warming. This warming, in turn, can lead to changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, altering the distribution of heat and moisture around the globe.

Furthermore, deforestation can influence the formation and behavior of El Niño and La Niña events – major drivers of global weather patterns. Some studies suggest that large-scale deforestation in the Amazon could lead to more frequent and intense El Niño events, which are associated with droughts in some regions and flooding in others.

As our understanding of these complex interactions grows, it becomes increasingly clear that preserving forests is not just a matter of conservation, but a critical component of global climate stability. The health of our planet’s forests is inextricably linked to the stability of global weather patterns, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive and coordinated international efforts to halt deforestation and promote reforestation.

In conclusion, the impact of deforestation on global weather patterns represents a multifaceted challenge that spans scales from the local to the global. Addressing this challenge will require a combination of policy measures, technological innovations, and shifts in public awareness and behavior. As we confront the realities of climate change, preserving and restoring our forests must be recognized as a key strategy in maintaining the delicate balance of our planet’s weather systems.

Questions 21-26: Matching Information

Match the following information to the correct paragraph in Passage 3. Write the correct letter (A-I) next to questions 21-26. You may use any letter more than once.

A. Paragraph 1
B. Paragraph 2
C. Paragraph 3
D. Paragraph 4
E. Paragraph 5
F. Paragraph 6
G. Paragraph 7
H. Paragraph 8
I. Paragraph 9

21. The concept of tipping points in relation to deforestation and climate change.
22. The theory of the biotic pump and its role in atmospheric circulation.
23. The potential impact of deforestation on El Niño and La Niña events.
24. The feedback loop between deforestation, drought, and forest fires.
25. The potential for savannization in the Amazon rainforest.
26. The interaction between deforestation and other aspects of global environmental change.

Questions 27-30: Sentence Completion

Complete the sentences below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

27. The biotic pump theory suggests that forests actively drive __ rather than passively receiving weather patterns.

28. Deforestation can lead to a vicious cycle where forest loss causes more forest loss through its impact on __.

29. If deforestation in the Amazon exceeds 20-25% of the original forest cover, it could trigger a process known as __.

30. Preserving forests is crucial not just for conservation but also for maintaining __.

Answer Key

Passage 1

1. C
2. D
3. B
4. C
5. D
6. FALSE
7. TRUE
8. FALSE
9. TRUE
10. NOT GIVEN

Passage 2

11. ii
12. v
13. iii
14. i
15. iv
16. D
17. C
18. E
19. A
20. I

Passage 3

21. E
22. B
23. H
24. D
25. F
26. G
27. atmospheric circulation
28. climate
29. savannization
30. global climate stability

This IELTS Reading practice test on the “Impact of Deforestation on Global Weather Patterns” provides a comprehensive exploration of this crucial environmental issue. The passages progress from easier to more challenging texts, mirroring the structure of the actual IELTS Reading test.

By engaging with this material, you’ll not only improve your reading skills but also gain valuable insights into the complex relationships between forests and global climate systems. Remember to pay close attention to key vocabulary and concepts, as these are often critical for answering the questions accurately.

For further practice on related topics, you might find these articles helpful:

• Impact of Global Warming on Weather Patterns
• Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Sustainability
• Impact of Deforestation on Global Biodiversity

Keep practicing regularly, and you’ll see improvement in your IELTS Reading skills. Good luck with your IELTS preparation!