IELTS Reading Practice: The Importance of International Cooperation in Combating Climate Change

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years: the Importance Of International Cooperation In Combating Climate Change. This subject has appeared frequently in past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to feature in future tests as well.

International climate change cooperation

Sample IELTS Reading Passage

The Global Imperative: Joining Forces Against Climate Change

Climate change is undoubtedly one of the most pressing challenges of our time, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human well-being on a global scale. As the effects of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise become increasingly apparent, it has become clear that no single nation can tackle this issue alone. International cooperation has emerged as a critical factor in our collective ability to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, marked a watershed moment in global climate action. For the first time, nearly all countries committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and working together to limit global temperature rise. This landmark accord demonstrates the power of international cooperation in addressing complex global issues. By setting shared goals and establishing mechanisms for support and accountability, the agreement has created a framework for coordinated action.

One of the key advantages of international cooperation is the pooling of resources and expertise. Climate change research, renewable energy development, and adaptation strategies all benefit from collaborative efforts. For instance, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) brings together scientists from around the world to assess the latest climate science, providing policymakers with crucial information to guide their decisions.

Moreover, international cooperation helps to address the inherent inequities in both the causes and impacts of climate change. Historically, developed nations have contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions, while developing countries often bear the brunt of climate impacts. Through mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund, wealthier nations provide financial support to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change and transition to low-carbon economies.

The sharing of technologies is another vital aspect of international cooperation. As countries develop innovative solutions for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices, international agreements facilitate the transfer of these technologies. This not only accelerates global progress in reducing emissions but also creates economic opportunities and fosters goodwill between nations.

However, challenges to effective international cooperation persist. National interests, economic concerns, and political differences can hinder progress. The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement in 2020 (though it has since rejoined) highlighted the fragility of international accords. Despite these obstacles, the global community has largely remained committed to collaborative action, recognizing that the costs of inaction far outweigh the challenges of cooperation.

Looking ahead, strengthening international cooperation will be crucial in achieving ambitious climate goals. This includes enhancing transparency in reporting emissions, increasing climate finance commitments, and fostering partnerships between governments, businesses, and civil society organizations. As we face the mounting threats of climate change, our success will depend on our ability to work together across borders, sharing knowledge, resources, and a common vision for a sustainable future.

Questions

True/False/Not Given

1. The Paris Agreement was the first international climate accord to involve nearly all countries.
2. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conducts its own climate research.
3. Developed countries have historically been the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The Green Climate Fund is supported equally by all participating countries.
5. The United States’ temporary withdrawal from the Paris Agreement had no impact on global climate efforts.

Multiple Choice

6. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a benefit of international cooperation in combating climate change?
   A) Pooling of resources and expertise
   B) Addressing inequities between developed and developing nations
   C) Sharing of technologies
   D) Reducing military conflicts

7. The passage suggests that the main challenge to effective international cooperation on climate change is:
   A) Lack of scientific consensus
   B) Insufficient funding
   C) Conflicting national interests and political differences
   D) Public indifference to climate issues

Short Answer Questions

8. Name two mechanisms mentioned in the passage that facilitate international cooperation on climate change.

9. What does the passage identify as a crucial factor for achieving ambitious climate goals in the future?

10. According to the text, what role does the Green Climate Fund play in international climate efforts?

Answer Key and Explanations

1. True – The passage states, “For the first time, nearly all countries committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions…”

2. False – The IPCC is described as bringing together scientists to assess existing research, not conduct its own.

3. True – The passage mentions, “Historically, developed nations have contributed the most to greenhouse gas emissions…”

4. Not Given – The text doesn’t provide information about how the Green Climate Fund is supported.

5. False – The passage suggests that the U.S. withdrawal highlighted the “fragility of international accords,” implying it did have an impact.

6. D – The passage does not mention reducing military conflicts as a benefit of international cooperation on climate change.

7. C – The text states, “National interests, economic concerns, and political differences can hinder progress.”

8. Two mechanisms mentioned are:

   • The Paris Agreement
   • The Green Climate Fund

9. The passage identifies strengthening international cooperation as crucial for achieving ambitious climate goals.

10. According to the text, the Green Climate Fund helps wealthier nations provide financial support to vulnerable countries for climate adaptation and transitioning to low-carbon economies.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking key phrases: Pay attention to qualifiers like “nearly all” or “historically” which can change the meaning of a statement.
2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text. Don’t assume additional details that aren’t explicitly stated.
3. Misinterpreting “Not Given” answers: Remember, “Not Given” means the information isn’t provided in the text, not that it’s false.
4. Rushing through the passage: Take time to understand the overall structure and main points of the text before answering questions.

Vocabulary

• Mitigation (noun) – /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ – the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something
• Adaptation (noun) – /ædæpˈteɪʃən/ – the process of changing to suit different conditions
• Watershed (noun) – /ˈwɔːtəʃed/ – an event or period that is important because it represents a big change in how people do or think about something
• Accord (noun) – /əˈkɔːrd/ – an official agreement
• Inequities (noun) – /ɪnˈekwɪtiz/ – lack of fairness or justice

Grammar Focus

Complex sentences with multiple clauses are common in academic texts. For example:

“As the effects of rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and sea-level rise become increasingly apparent, it has become clear that no single nation can tackle this issue alone.”

This sentence structure combines a dependent clause (beginning with “As”) with an independent clause, allowing the writer to connect related ideas and show cause and effect.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, asking questions, and summarizing main points.
2. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words in context, focusing on academic and topic-specific terms.
3. Time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
4. Skim and scan effectively: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.
5. Read the questions carefully: Ensure you understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
6. Don’t rely on prior knowledge: Base your answers solely on the information provided in the passage.
7. Practice regularly: Use a variety of practice tests and reading materials to familiarize yourself with different question types and topics.

By focusing on these strategies and continually practicing, you can improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section. Remember, success in IELTS Reading isn’t just about English proficiency—it’s also about developing effective test-taking skills and strategies.

For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on the role of international cooperation in tackling global issues and the influence of international cooperation on climate policy. These resources will help you build a broader understanding of global cooperation and climate change, topics that are likely to appear in various forms across all sections of the IELTS test.