Mastering IELTS Reading: The Impact of Climate Change on Public Health

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. One topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years is the impact of climate change on public health. This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its ongoing relevance, is likely to feature in future tests. In this article, we’ll explore this topic through a sample IELTS Reading passage, providing you with valuable practice and insights to boost your performance.

Climate change impact on public health

Sample IELTS Reading Passage: The Impact of Climate Change on Public Health

Reading Passage

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a present reality that affects various aspects of our lives, including public 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 direct impacts of climate change on public health is the increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths. As global temperatures rise, heatwaves become more frequent and intense, leading to a higher incidence of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and cardiovascular problems, particularly among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Moreover, climate change alters the distribution and behavior of disease-carrying vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents. This shift expands the geographical range of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease, exposing new populations to these health risks. Additionally, warmer temperatures can accelerate the reproduction rates of these vectors, potentially increasing disease transmission.

The changing climate also affects air quality, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Higher temperatures contribute to increased ground-level ozone and particulate matter, which can trigger asthma attacks, allergies, and other respiratory issues. Furthermore, climate-induced wildfires release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, posing significant health risks to nearby communities and even those far downwind.

Water-related health issues are another concern. Climate change leads to more frequent and severe floods and droughts, which can contaminate water sources and disrupt sanitation systems. This increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A. In contrast, water scarcity in drought-prone areas can lead to poor hygiene and increased disease transmission.

Food security is also compromised by climate change, with potential impacts on nutrition and public health. Changing weather patterns, extreme events, and shifting growing seasons affect crop yields and food production. This can lead to food shortages, malnutrition, and related health problems, particularly in vulnerable regions already struggling with food insecurity.

Mental health is an often-overlooked aspect of climate change’s impact on public health. The stress and trauma associated with extreme weather events, displacement, and loss of livelihoods can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among affected populations.

To address these challenges, public health systems worldwide need to adapt and strengthen their resilience. This includes improving early warning systems for extreme weather events, enhancing disease surveillance and control measures, and developing climate-resilient health infrastructure. Additionally, integrating climate change considerations into public health policies and programs is crucial for effective long-term planning and response.

Moreover, mitigating climate change through reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is essential for protecting public health. Strategies such as promoting clean energy, sustainable transportation, and eco-friendly urban planning not only address climate change but also offer immediate health benefits by improving air quality and encouraging physical activity.

In conclusion, the impact of climate change on public health is multifaceted and far-reaching. As the global community grapples with this challenge, it is clear that protecting public health in the face of climate change requires a comprehensive, collaborative approach that spans multiple sectors and levels of society.

Questions

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

1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a direct impact of climate change on public health?
   A) Increased heat-related illnesses
   B) Changes in disease vector distribution
   C) Improved air quality
   D) Water contamination

2. The text suggests that climate change affects the spread of vector-borne diseases by:
   A) Reducing the lifespan of disease-carrying vectors
   B) Altering the geographical range of vectors
   C) Eliminating natural predators of vectors
   D) Increasing human resistance to these diseases

3. Which group is specifically mentioned as being vulnerable to heat-related health issues?
   A) Children
   B) Pregnant women
   C) The elderly
   D) Athletes

4. According to the passage, how does climate change impact food security?
   A) By increasing food production globally
   B) By affecting crop yields and growing seasons
   C) By improving soil quality in all regions
   D) By reducing the demand for food

5. The passage indicates that addressing the health impacts of climate change requires:
   A) Focusing solely on medical treatments
   B) Ignoring mental health concerns
   C) A comprehensive, multi-sector approach
   D) Reducing public health funding

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

6. Climate change can lead to an increase in ground-level ozone and ___, which affects respiratory health.

7. Extreme weather events caused by climate change can contaminate water sources and disrupt ___ systems.

8. The stress and trauma associated with climate change impacts can lead to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and ___.

9. To address climate change health impacts, public health systems need to improve ___ for extreme weather events.

10. Strategies to mitigate climate change, such as promoting clean energy, can offer ___ health benefits.

Answers and Explanations

1. C
   Explanation: The passage mentions increased heat-related illnesses, changes in disease vector distribution, and water contamination as impacts of climate change on public health. Improved air quality is not mentioned; in fact, the text states that climate change negatively affects air quality.

2. B
   Explanation: The passage states, “This shift expands the geographical range of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease, exposing new populations to these health risks.”

3. C
   Explanation: The text specifically mentions “the elderly” as a vulnerable group for heat-related health issues.

4. B
   Explanation: The passage states, “Changing weather patterns, extreme events, and shifting growing seasons affect crop yields and food production.”

5. C
   Explanation: The text concludes that addressing climate change’s impact on public health “requires a comprehensive, collaborative approach that spans multiple sectors and levels of society.”

6. particulate matter
   Explanation: The passage states, “Higher temperatures contribute to increased ground-level ozone and particulate matter, which can trigger asthma attacks, allergies, and other respiratory issues.”

7. sanitation
   Explanation: The text mentions that climate change can “contaminate water sources and disrupt sanitation systems.”

8. PTSD
   Explanation: The passage states that climate change impacts can lead to “increased rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among affected populations.”

9. early warning systems
   Explanation: The text suggests “improving early warning systems for extreme weather events” as part of adapting public health systems.

10. immediate
    Explanation: The passage states that strategies to mitigate climate change “offer immediate health benefits by improving air quality and encouraging physical activity.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to precise information in the text, such as the groups mentioned as vulnerable to certain health risks.

2. Misinterpreting cause and effect: Ensure you understand the relationships between climate change and its health impacts as described in the passage.

3. Generalizing information: Avoid assuming information applies broadly when the text specifies particular contexts or conditions.

4. Ignoring qualifiers: Words like “can,” “may,” and “potentially” are important in scientific texts and can affect the meaning of statements.

5. Misreading negative statements: Be careful not to misinterpret statements about what climate change does not do or what is not mentioned in the passage.

Key Vocabulary

• Vector-borne diseases: [ˈvektə(r) bɔːn dɪˈziːzɪz] – Illnesses transmitted by organisms that carry pathogens from one host to another.
• Exacerbate: [ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt] (verb) – To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
• Resilience: [rɪˈzɪliəns] (noun) – The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
• Mitigation: [ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃn] (noun) – The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.
• Comprehensive: [ˌkɒmprɪˈhensɪv] (adjective) – Including or dealing with all or nearly all elements or aspects of something.

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of passive voice in scientific writing, such as:

• “Climate change has been declared as one of the greatest health challenges…”
• “Public health systems worldwide need to be adapted and strengthened…”

This structure is common in academic and scientific texts to emphasize actions and results rather than the doer of the action.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by underlining key points and making mental notes as you read.

2. Improve your time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.

3. Develop your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to common IELTS topics like climate change and health.

4. Use context clues: When encountering unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.

5. Stay focused: Maintain concentration throughout the reading section, even if you find some passages challenging.

By practicing with passages like this one on the impact of climate change on public health, you’ll be better prepared for the IELTS Reading section. Remember, consistent practice and familiarity with various question types are key to achieving a high score.

For more practice on IELTS Reading and other related topics, check out our articles on the effects of climate change on public health and how climate change impacts global public health.