The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and respond to various question types. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: “The impact of climate change on human health.” This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to feature in future tests as well.
Climate change and its effects on human health is a multifaceted issue that combines environmental science, public health, and socio-economic factors. This makes it an ideal topic for the IELTS Reading test, which often features academic texts on current global issues. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this type of content in your IELTS exam.
Climate change impact on human health
Practice Reading Passage: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health
The Text
Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality that affects various aspects of our lives, including human health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared climate change as one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century, with far-reaching consequences for populations worldwide.
One of the most immediate impacts of climate change on human health is the increase in extreme weather events. Heatwaves, for instance, can lead to heat stress, heatstroke, and exacerbate existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. The European heatwave of 2003 resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths, highlighting the severity of this issue. On the other hand, extreme cold events, which can also be a consequence of climate change, pose risks of hypothermia and frostbite, particularly affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly and homeless.
Climate change also influences the transmission of infectious diseases. As temperatures rise, disease-carrying insects like mosquitoes and ticks can survive in areas previously too cold for them, leading to the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease to new regions. Furthermore, warmer temperatures can accelerate the replication of pathogens within these vectors, increasing the risk of transmission.
Water-related health issues are another significant concern. Climate change affects precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent floods and droughts. Floods can contaminate water sources with sewage and chemical pollutants, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Conversely, droughts can lead to water scarcity, compromising hygiene practices and potentially causing dehydration and heat-related illnesses.
The impact of climate change on food security also has profound health implications. Changing weather patterns, including more frequent droughts and floods, can disrupt agricultural production, leading to food shortages and malnutrition. This is particularly concerning for developing countries that are more dependent on agriculture and have fewer resources to adapt to changing conditions.
Air quality is another health factor affected by climate change. Higher temperatures can increase the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of smog, which can exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Additionally, wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, release harmful particulate matter into the air, posing significant respiratory health risks.
Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of climate change’s impact on human health. Extreme weather events and natural disasters can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, the gradual changes in climate and their effects on livelihoods and communities can cause chronic stress and other mental health issues.
While the health impacts of climate change are already being felt globally, they are not distributed equally. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions, and communities in low-income countries, are disproportionately affected. This inequality highlights the need for targeted interventions and support for these groups.
Addressing the health impacts of climate change requires a multifaceted approach. This includes mitigation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change, as well as adaptation measures to help communities cope with the health risks. Public health systems need to be strengthened to respond to climate-related health emergencies and to implement early warning systems for extreme weather events and disease outbreaks.
In conclusion, the impact of climate change on human health is complex and far-reaching. As we continue to experience the effects of a changing climate, it is crucial to understand these health implications and work towards solutions that protect and promote global health in the face of this unprecedented challenge.
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Determine if the following statements are True, False, or Not Given based on the information in the passage.
- Climate change has been identified by the WHO as the single most significant health challenge of the 21st century.
- The European heatwave of 2003 resulted in approximately 70,000 additional deaths.
- Climate change only affects the spread of tropical diseases to warmer regions.
- Floods can lead to an increased risk of waterborne diseases.
- Climate change has no impact on mental health.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a direct health impact of climate change?
A) Increased risk of heatstroke
B) Spread of infectious diseases
C) Improved air quality
D) Mental health issuesThe passage suggests that climate change affects food security by:
A) Increasing agricultural production globally
B) Disrupting weather patterns that impact agriculture
C) Improving irrigation systems in developing countries
D) Reducing the demand for food worldwide
Matching Information
Match the following statements (8-12) with the correct paragraph (A-E) from the passage.
- Discusses how climate change can affect the quality of the air we breathe
- Explains how changing temperatures can influence disease transmission
- Describes the unequal distribution of climate change’s health impacts
- Mentions the need for both mitigation and adaptation strategies
- Discusses the impact of extreme weather events on cardiovascular health
Paragraphs:
A) Paragraph 2
B) Paragraph 3
C) Paragraph 6
D) Paragraph 8
E) Paragraph 9
Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Climate change poses significant challenges to human health through various mechanisms. Extreme weather events like (13)____ can lead to heat stress and exacerbate existing health conditions. The spread of (14)____ diseases is facilitated by changing temperatures that allow disease vectors to survive in new areas. Water-related health issues include an increased risk of (15)____ diseases due to flooding. Climate change also affects (16)____ security, potentially leading to malnutrition. Additionally, the impact on air quality can worsen respiratory conditions, while the psychological effects of climate change can result in (17)____ health problems.
Answer Key and Explanations
False – The passage states that climate change is “one of the greatest health challenges,” not the single most significant.
True – The passage explicitly mentions “The European heatwave of 2003 resulted in over 70,000 excess deaths.”
False – The passage mentions that diseases can spread to “new regions,” not just warmer ones.
True – The text states that floods can “contaminate water sources… increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.”
False – The passage discusses mental health impacts in detail in a separate paragraph.
C – Improved air quality is not mentioned as an impact of climate change. The passage actually states that air quality worsens due to climate change.
B – The passage mentions that “Changing weather patterns, including more frequent droughts and floods, can disrupt agricultural production.”
C – Paragraph 6 discusses air quality and its relation to climate change.
B – Paragraph 3 explains how rising temperatures affect disease transmission.
D – Paragraph 8 describes the unequal distribution of health impacts.
E – Paragraph 9 mentions both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
A – Paragraph 2 discusses extreme weather events and their impact on cardiovascular health.
heatwaves
infectious
waterborne
food
mental
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When tackling a reading passage like this one on climate change and human health, be aware of these common pitfalls:
Overgeneralizing: Be careful not to extend the information beyond what’s stated in the passage. For example, while the text mentions that climate change affects disease transmission, it doesn’t claim that all diseases are affected.
Misinterpreting degree: Pay attention to qualifiers like “one of” or “can lead to.” These phrases indicate possibility or partial truth, not absolute statements.
Overlooking specific details: In questions like the summary completion, it’s crucial to use the exact words from the passage. Don’t paraphrase or use synonyms.
Bringing in outside knowledge: Stick to the information provided in the passage, even if you have additional knowledge about the topic.
Mismatching information: In matching exercises, ensure that you’re connecting the main idea of the statement with the correct paragraph, not just matching on keywords.
Vocabulary Focus
Here are some challenging words from the passage, along with their definitions and pronunciations:
- Exacerbate /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ (verb): To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
- Cardiovascular /ˌkɑːdɪəʊˈvæskjʊlə/ (adjective): Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
- Pathogens /ˈpæθədʒənz/ (noun): Bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause disease.
- Malnutrition /ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃn/ (noun): Lack of proper nutrition, caused by not having enough to eat or not eating enough of the right things.
- Particulate matter /pɑːˈtɪkjʊlət ˈmætə/ (noun): Very small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air, often as pollutants.
Grammar Spotlight
One important grammatical structure used in this passage is the passive voice, often employed in academic and scientific writing. For example:
“Climate change has been declared as one of the greatest health challenges of the 21st century.”
The passive voice is formed using be + past participle. It’s useful when the focus is on the action rather than who performs it, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, asking questions, and summarizing main ideas as you read.
Improve your vocabulary: Build your academic vocabulary, focusing on words commonly used in IELTS passages.
Time management: Allocate your time wisely. Spend about 20 minutes on each passage in the Reading test.
Skim and scan: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.
Read the questions carefully: Understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
Don’t leave blanks: Even if you’re unsure, always provide an answer. There’s no penalty for incorrect answers.
Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with different question types and develop strategies for each.
Stay calm: Remember, the first passage is usually the easiest, so don’t panic if you find it challenging.
By following these tips and practicing regularly with passages like the one on climate change and human health, you’ll be well-prepared for the IELTS Reading test. Remember, understanding complex topics like this not only helps with your IELTS preparation but also enhances your general knowledge, which can be beneficial in the Speaking and Writing sections as well.
For more practice on related topics, you might want to check out our articles on the effects of climate change on global food security and the importance of public health campaigns. These will provide additional context and vocabulary that could be useful in your IELTS preparation.