IELTS Reading Practice: The Impact of Renewable Energy on the Economy

The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types accurately. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been gaining prominence in recent years: “The impact of renewable energy on the economy.” This subject has appeared in several past IELTS exams and, given its growing relevance in global discussions, is likely to feature in future tests as well.

Let’s dive into a practice passage and questions to help you prepare for this potential topic in your IELTS Reading test.

Renewable energy impact on economy

Practice Passage: The Economic Implications of Renewable Energy

Text

The transition to renewable energy sources is not just an environmental imperative; it’s increasingly becoming an economic necessity. As countries worldwide grapple with the challenges of climate change, the renewable energy sector has emerged as a powerful driver of economic growth, job creation, and innovation.

One of the most significant economic impacts of renewable energy is its potential to create jobs. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that the sector employed 11.5 million people globally in 2019, a number that continues to grow. These jobs span various industries, from manufacturing and installation to maintenance and research and development. Countries that have invested heavily in renewables, such as Germany and China, have seen substantial job growth in this sector, offsetting losses in traditional fossil fuel industries.

Moreover, renewable energy can lead to significant cost savings over time. While the initial investment in renewable infrastructure can be high, the operational costs are generally lower than those of fossil fuel-based energy systems. Wind and solar power, for instance, have zero fuel costs once installed, and maintenance requirements are relatively low. This cost-effectiveness is increasingly making renewables the preferred choice for new power installations worldwide.

The renewable energy transition also stimulates innovation and technological advancement. As companies and researchers strive to improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of renewable technologies, new patents are filed, and novel solutions emerge. This innovation spills over into other sectors, driving broader economic growth and competitiveness.

Furthermore, the shift to renewables can enhance energy security and reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel prices. Countries that rely heavily on imported oil and gas are particularly vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions. By developing domestic renewable energy resources, nations can reduce their dependence on imports, improving their trade balance and economic stability.

However, the economic impact of renewable energy is not without challenges. The intermittent nature of some renewable sources, such as wind and solar, requires significant investment in energy storage and grid modernization. Additionally, the transition may lead to job losses in fossil fuel industries, necessitating programs for worker retraining and community support.

Despite these challenges, the overall economic outlook for renewable energy is positive. As technology improves and economies of scale are realized, the costs of renewables continue to fall, making them increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. This trend, coupled with growing environmental concerns and supportive government policies, suggests that the renewable energy sector will play an increasingly important role in shaping the global economy in the years to come.

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 an economic benefit of renewable energy?
   A) Job creation
   B) Cost savings
   C) Increased tax revenue
   D) Technological innovation

2. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that the renewable energy sector employed how many people globally in 2019?
   A) 5.5 million
   B) 7.5 million
   C) 9.5 million
   D) 11.5 million

3. What advantage do wind and solar power have over fossil fuel-based energy systems once installed?
   A) Lower initial investment costs
   B) Zero fuel costs
   C) Higher energy output
   D) Longer lifespan

4. Which of the following is mentioned as a challenge in the transition to renewable energy?
   A) Lack of public support
   B) Insufficient sunlight and wind in many regions
   C) Need for investment in energy storage and grid modernization
   D) Shortage of skilled workers in the renewable sector

5. The passage suggests that the future competitiveness of renewable energy sources will be improved by:
   A) Government subsidies
   B) Declining costs due to technological improvements and economies of scale
   C) Increased fossil fuel prices
   D) Public demand for cleaner energy

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

6. Countries that have invested heavily in renewables have seen job growth that offsets losses in __ industries.

7. The renewable energy transition stimulates innovation, leading to new __ being filed.

8. Developing domestic renewable energy resources can improve a nation’s __ and economic stability.

9. The intermittent nature of some renewable sources requires significant investment in energy storage and __.

10. Despite challenges, the overall __ for renewable energy is positive.

Answers and Explanations

1. C
   Explanation: The passage mentions job creation, cost savings, and technological innovation as economic benefits of renewable energy, but increased tax revenue is not mentioned.

2. D
   Explanation: The passage states, “The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that the sector employed 11.5 million people globally in 2019.”

3. B
   Explanation: The text mentions, “Wind and solar power, for instance, have zero fuel costs once installed.”

4. C
   Explanation: The passage states, “The intermittent nature of some renewable sources, such as wind and solar, requires significant investment in energy storage and grid modernization.”

5. B
   Explanation: The final paragraph mentions, “As technology improves and economies of scale are realized, the costs of renewables continue to fall, making them increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources.”

6. traditional fossil fuel
   Explanation: The passage states, “Countries that have invested heavily in renewables, such as Germany and China, have seen substantial job growth in this sector, offsetting losses in traditional fossil fuel industries.”

7. patents
   Explanation: The text mentions, “As companies and researchers strive to improve the efficiency and reduce the costs of renewable technologies, new patents are filed.”

8. trade balance
   Explanation: The passage states, “By developing domestic renewable energy resources, nations can reduce their dependence on imports, improving their trade balance and economic stability.”

9. grid modernization
   Explanation: The text mentions, “The intermittent nature of some renewable sources, such as wind and solar, requires significant investment in energy storage and grid modernization.”

10. economic outlook
    Explanation: The final paragraph begins with, “Despite these challenges, the overall economic outlook for renewable energy is positive.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking key words: Pay attention to qualifiers like “NOT” in questions.
2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the passage and avoid bringing in outside knowledge.
3. Misinterpreting numbers: Be careful when multiple figures are mentioned in the text.
4. Ignoring context: Ensure your answers fit the context of the entire passage.
5. Exceeding word limits: In sentence completion tasks, adhere strictly to the word limit given.

Vocabulary Focus

• Imperative (noun): an essential or urgent thing
• Grapple (verb): to struggle or contend with
• Span (verb): to extend across or cover
• Offset (verb): to counteract or compensate for
• Stimulate (verb): to encourage or promote
• Spill over (phrasal verb): to spread beyond its original area or purpose
• Intermittent (adjective): occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous
• Vulnerability (noun): the state of being exposed to harm

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in sentences like:

“Countries that have invested heavily in renewables have seen substantial job growth.”

This tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance in the present.

Tips for High Scores in IELTS Reading

1. Practice time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test.
2. Skim and scan: Quickly identify where specific information is located in the passage.
3. Read questions carefully: Understand exactly what each question is asking before searching for the answer.
4. Use context clues: If you encounter unfamiliar words, try to deduce their meaning from the surrounding text.
5. Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with various question types and passages on diverse topics.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of strong comprehension skills, effective time management, and familiarity with the test format. Keep practicing with passages on current topics like renewable energy, as they’re likely to appear in future exams.

For more practice on environmental topics, check out our articles on the impact of green energy on job creation and how to reduce environmental impact while traveling. These will help you broaden your vocabulary and understanding of related themes that may appear in your IELTS test.