The IELTS Reading section is designed to test a range of reading skills, including understanding the main ideas, details, opinions, and implied meanings. Topics can vary widely, one of which is the “Impact Of Global Tourism On Natural Resources.” This theme has frequently appeared in past IELTS exams and is highly relevant to current global issues, making it likely to reappear in future tests.
Tourism brings significant economic benefits but also puts enormous pressure on the environment. Natural resources are often exploited to cater to tourists, leading to various ecological issues. In this article, we will offer a detailed IELTS Reading practice passage on this subject, along with questions, answers, and tips to help you achieve a high score.
Practice Passage: “Impact Of Global Tourism On Natural Resources”
Passage (Hard Text)
Tourism is one of the major contributors to the global economy, but it comes at a considerable environmental cost. Natural resources, which are both finite and fragile, are increasingly strained by the expanding tourism industry. This has become a pressing issue as popular tourist destinations struggle to balance economic benefits with sustainable resource management.
Water resources, for instance, are severely impacted by tourism. Hotels, resorts, and other tourist facilities consume significant amounts of water for their daily operations. This high consumption often leads to water shortages in areas where resources are already scarce. Furthermore, the construction of tourist infrastructures frequently involves altering natural waterways, which can lead to habitat destruction and disruption of local ecosystems.
Similarly, energy consumption in tourism-related activities contributes massively to the depletion of natural resources. Luxurious resorts and frequent flights require vast amounts of fossil fuels, exacerbating global warming and contributing to climate change. Notably, the accommodation sector is responsible for a substantial part of tourism’s energy footprint, employing energy-intensive air conditioning, heating, and lighting systems.
Biodiversity is another casualty of global tourism. As areas become popular tourist destinations, natural habitats are often destroyed to make way for hotels, amusement parks, and other facilities. This not only displaces wildlife but also introduces pollution, both from waste and from the noise generated by tourist activities. Furthermore, unchecked tourism can lead to illegal hunting and fishing, posing a risk to endangered species.
Lastly, the increasing volume of waste generated by tourists has dire consequences for natural environments. Plastics, in particular, are a significant concern as they take hundreds of years to decompose and frequently end up in oceans, harming marine life. The accumulation of waste in popular tourist areas not only degrades the local environment but also diminishes the natural beauty that attracted tourists in the first place.
Given these severe consequences, sustainable tourism practices have become imperative. Efforts are being made to implement eco-friendly guidelines and promote awareness among tourists about the importance of conserving natural resources. Governments and tourism boards are increasingly focusing on developing and promoting tourism that minimizes environmental impacts while maximising socio-economic benefits.
Sustainable Tourism Practices
Questions
1. Multiple Choice
-
According to the passage, which sector of tourism consumes the most water?
- a. Flights
- b. Hotels and resorts
- c. Local attractions
- d. Shopping centers
-
What is the primary cause of habitat destruction mentioned in the passage?
- a. Increased flights
- b. The construction of tourist infrastructures
- c. Air conditioning systems
- d. Pollution from waste
2. True/False/Not Given
-
Water shortages caused by tourism occur only in developing countries.
- True
- False
- Not Given
-
The passage suggests that illegal hunting and fishing are problems exacerbated by tourism.
- True
- False
- Not Given
3. Sentence Completion
- Tourism contributes to climate change by _____.
- Plastics take _____ to decompose and frequently harm marine life.
Answer Key
- b. Hotels and resorts – (Hotels, resorts, and other tourist facilities consume significant amounts of water for their daily operations.)
- b. The construction of tourist infrastructures – (The construction of tourist infrastructures frequently involves altering natural waterways, which can lead to habitat destruction.)
- False – (Water shortages occur in areas where resources are already scarce, not limited to developing countries.)
- True – (Unchecked tourism can lead to illegal hunting and fishing, posing a risk to endangered species.)
- burning fossil fuels for flights and resorts – (Frequent flights and energy consumption in resorts exacerbate global warming.)
- hundreds of years – (Plastics take hundreds of years to decompose.)
Common Mistakes
- Miscalculating Context: Sometimes, students might misinterpret the information because they skim through the text too quickly.
- Assumption Errors: Avoid making assumptions based on external knowledge. Always rely on the passage’s content.
- Time Management: Spending too much time on a single question can detract from your ability to complete the other questions. Practice pacing yourself.
Vocabulary
- Finite (adj): /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/ – Limited in size or extent
- Deplete (v): /dɪˈpliːt/ – Use up the supply or resources
- Exacerbate (v): /ɪɡˈzæs.ə.beɪt/ – Make a problem worse
- Habitat (n): /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt/ – The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism
- Decompose (v): /ˌdiː.kəmˈpəʊz/ – Take apart into smaller elements
Grammar Focus
- Passive Voice:
- Structure: [am/is/are/was/were + past participle]
- Example: “Natural resources are increasingly strained by the expanding tourism industry.”
- Relative Clauses:
- Structure: [relative pronoun + clause]
- Example: “Water resources, which are both finite and fragile, are severely impacted by tourism.”
Advice for High Reading Scores
- Regular Practice: Engage in frequent practice using materials like this article to familiarize yourself with different topics.
- Time Management: Practice under timed conditions to improve your speed and efficiency.
- Review Mistakes: Go through your errors to understand why you got them wrong and how to correct them in future attempts.
For more practice materials on interconnected topics, visit our articles on the Cultural Impacts of Language Preservation and Challenges in Sustainable Tourism.
By engaging in thorough preparation and utilizing high-quality resources, you can refine your skills and boost your confidence, paving the way to achieve a commendable score in the IELTS Reading section.