IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact of Green Energy on Job Creation

The IELTS Reading section assesses your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer questions accurately. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been gaining prominence in recent years: “The impact of green energy on job creation.” This subject has appeared in various forms in past IELTS exams and, given its relevance to global environmental and economic issues, it’s likely to resurface in future tests. Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this type of content in your IELTS Reading exam.

Green energy jobs infographic

Practice Passage: The Green Energy Revolution and Employment

The Rise of Green Jobs

The transition to renewable energy sources is not just an environmental imperative; it’s also becoming a significant driver of economic growth and job creation. As countries worldwide commit to reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change, the green energy sector is experiencing unprecedented expansion, leading to a surge in employment opportunities.

Solar and wind power industries have been at the forefront of this green job revolution. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable energy sector employed 11.5 million people globally in 2019, a number that continues to grow. Solar photovoltaic technology alone accounted for 3.8 million jobs, making it the largest employer in the renewable energy field.

Wind energy, another rapidly growing sector, employed 1.2 million people worldwide in the same year. This growth is not limited to installation and maintenance jobs; it also includes manufacturing, project development, and research positions. Countries like China, Brazil, the United States, and India are leading the way in renewable energy employment, but the trend is global.

The Ripple Effect on Traditional Industries

The impact of green energy on job creation extends beyond the renewable sector itself. As the demand for clean energy technologies increases, traditional industries are adapting to serve these new markets. For instance, the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). This shift is creating jobs in EV manufacturing, battery production, and charging infrastructure development.

Similarly, the construction industry is seeing a boost from the need for energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing structures. This has led to an increase in demand for skilled workers in green construction techniques, energy auditing, and sustainable design.

Skills and Training for the Green Economy

The transition to a green economy requires a workforce with new skills and expertise. This has spurred the development of training programs and educational initiatives focused on renewable energy technologies and sustainable practices. Universities and vocational schools are introducing courses in solar and wind technology, energy efficiency, and sustainable engineering to meet this growing demand.

Governments and private sector organizations are also investing in reskilling programs to help workers from traditional energy sectors transition to green jobs. This not only helps mitigate job losses in declining industries but also ensures a skilled workforce is available to support the growth of the green energy sector.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the overall impact of green energy on job creation is positive, the transition is not without challenges. Some regions heavily dependent on fossil fuel industries may experience job losses in the short term. However, with proper planning and investment in workforce development, these challenges can be turned into opportunities for economic diversification and sustainable growth.

Moreover, the green energy sector offers the potential for more equitable job creation. Many renewable energy projects, particularly in solar and small-scale hydropower, can be implemented in rural and underserved areas, bringing employment opportunities to communities that have historically been left behind by industrial development.

As the world continues to grapple with the dual challenges of climate change and economic recovery, the green energy sector stands out as a beacon of hope. By driving innovation, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development, the transition to renewable energy is not just an environmental necessity but an economic opportunity that promises to reshape the global job market for generations to come.

Questions

Answer the following questions based on the passage above:

1. According to IRENA, how many people were employed in the renewable energy sector globally in 2019?
   A) 3.8 million
   B) 11.5 million
   C) 1.2 million
   D) 5 million

2. Which renewable energy technology was the largest employer in 2019?
   A) Wind energy
   B) Hydropower
   C) Solar photovoltaic
   D) Geothermal energy

3. True/False/Not Given: The growth in green energy jobs is limited to installation and maintenance positions.

4. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a country leading in renewable energy employment?
   A) China
   B) Brazil
   C) Germany
   D) India

5. How is the automotive industry adapting to the green energy transition?
   A) By producing more fuel-efficient gasoline vehicles
   B) By developing electric vehicles and related infrastructure
   C) By investing in biofuel research
   D) By reducing vehicle production

6. What impact is the green energy transition having on the construction industry?
   A) Decreasing demand for construction workers
   B) Increasing demand for workers skilled in green construction techniques
   C) No significant impact
   D) Shifting focus to traditional building methods

7. Complete the sentence: Universities and vocational schools are introducing courses in , , and sustainable engineering to meet the growing demand for green jobs.

8-10. Choose THREE correct answers. Which THREE of the following are mentioned as potential benefits of the transition to green energy jobs?
A) Increased job security in the fossil fuel industry
B) Economic diversification in regions dependent on traditional energy sectors
C) More equitable job creation in rural and underserved areas
D) Reduced need for skilled workers
E) Opportunities for workers from declining industries to reskill
F) Immediate job creation in all sectors of the economy

Answer Key and Explanations

1. B) 11.5 million
   Explanation: The passage states, “According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the renewable energy sector employed 11.5 million people globally in 2019.”

2. C) Solar photovoltaic
   Explanation: The text mentions, “Solar photovoltaic technology alone accounted for 3.8 million jobs, making it the largest employer in the renewable energy field.”

3. False
   Explanation: The passage explicitly states, “This growth is not limited to installation and maintenance jobs; it also includes manufacturing, project development, and research positions.”

4. C) Germany
   Explanation: The passage lists China, Brazil, the United States, and India as leading countries in renewable energy employment. Germany is not mentioned.

5. B) By developing electric vehicles and related infrastructure
   Explanation: The text states, “As the demand for clean energy technologies increases, traditional industries are adapting to serve these new markets. For instance, the automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation with the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). This shift is creating jobs in EV manufacturing, battery production, and charging infrastructure development.”

6. B) Increasing demand for workers skilled in green construction techniques
   Explanation: The passage mentions, “Similarly, the construction industry is seeing a boost from the need for energy-efficient buildings and retrofitting existing structures. This has led to an increase in demand for skilled workers in green construction techniques, energy auditing, and sustainable design.”

7. solar and wind technology
   Explanation: The exact quote from the passage is, “Universities and vocational schools are introducing courses in solar and wind technology, energy efficiency, and sustainable engineering to meet this growing demand.”

8-10. B, C, E
Explanation:
B) The passage states, “With proper planning and investment in workforce development, these challenges can be turned into opportunities for economic diversification and sustainable growth.”
C) The text mentions, “Many renewable energy projects, particularly in solar and small-scale hydropower, can be implemented in rural and underserved areas, bringing employment opportunities to communities that have historically been left behind by industrial development.”
E) The passage notes, “Governments and private sector organizations are also investing in reskilling programs to help workers from traditional energy sectors transition to green jobs.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to numbers and statistics provided in the passage.
2. Misinterpreting True/False/Not Given questions: Remember, “Not Given” means the information is neither confirmed nor contradicted in the text.
3. Falling for distractors in multiple-choice questions: Always refer back to the passage and choose the answer that best aligns with the information provided.
4. Failing to read the instructions carefully: For questions like 8-10, make sure you select the correct number of answers as requested.

Key Vocabulary

• Renewable energy: /rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈenədʒi/ (noun) – energy from a source that is not depleted when used
• Photovoltaic: /ˌfəʊtəʊvɒlˈteɪɪk/ (adjective) – relating to the production of electric current at the junction of two substances exposed to light
• Retrofitting: /ˌretrəˈfɪtɪŋ/ (noun) – adding new technology or features to an older system
• Economic diversification: /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk daɪˌvɜːsɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (noun) – the process of a country or region developing a more varied economy
• Reskilling: /riːˈskɪlɪŋ/ (noun) – the process of learning new skills to do a different job

Grammar Focus

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in sentences like:
“The green energy sector has experienced unprecedented expansion.”
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present.

Tips for IELTS Reading Success

1. Practice active reading: Engage with the text by underlining key information and making mental notes as you read.
2. Improve your time management: Allocate your time wisely between reading the passage and answering questions.
3. Expand your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words related to environment, technology, and economics.
4. Practice skimming and scanning: These techniques will help you quickly locate specific information in the text.
5. Read widely on various topics: Familiarize yourself with different writing styles and subject matters to improve your overall comprehension skills.

Remember, consistent practice is key to improving your IELTS Reading score. Regularly engage with texts on diverse topics, including environmental and economic issues like the impact of green energy on job creation. This will not only prepare you for the exam but also enhance your general knowledge, which is invaluable for the IELTS test and beyond.

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

• The Significance of Clean Energy in Reducing Pollution
• The Role of Renewable Energy in Combating Climate Change
• Impact of Industrial Growth on the Environment

Good luck with your IELTS preparation!