The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to comprehend complex texts and answer various question types. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years: “The role of global organizations in environmental protection.” This subject has appeared in numerous IELTS exams and is likely to continue being relevant due to its global significance.
Based on data analysis from past IELTS exams, environmental topics have consistently featured in Reading passages. Given the current global focus on climate change and sustainability, it’s highly probable that you’ll encounter a similar theme in your upcoming IELTS test. Let’s dive into a practice passage to hone your skills on this important subject.
Practice Reading Passage
The Global Effort to Combat Climate Change
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human lives across the planet. As the challenge grows more urgent, global organizations have stepped up to play a crucial role in coordinating international efforts to protect the environment. These entities, ranging from United Nations bodies to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), are at the forefront of developing strategies, implementing policies, and mobilizing resources to address this global crisis.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) stands out as a pivotal player in the fight against climate change. Established in 1992, the UNFCCC provides a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change by limiting average global temperature increases and coping with impacts that were, by then, inevitable. The organization’s most significant achievement to date is the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, which aims to keep the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
Another key player is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change, its implications, and potential future risks. The IPCC’s reports have been instrumental in shaping global climate policy and raising awareness about the urgency of the situation.
NGOs also play a vital role in environmental protection. Organizations like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) work tirelessly to raise awareness, lobby governments, and implement grassroots projects. These organizations often act as watchdogs, holding governments and corporations accountable for their environmental practices and commitments.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) serves as a unique financial mechanism, providing grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation. Since its inception in 1992, the GEF has provided over $21.1 billion in grants and mobilized an additional $114 billion in co-financing for more than 5,000 projects in 170 countries.
While these global organizations have made significant strides in environmental protection, challenges remain. Coordinating efforts across nations with diverse economic situations and political priorities is an ongoing struggle. Additionally, ensuring that environmental protection measures are equitable and do not disproportionately affect developing nations is a constant concern.
Despite these challenges, the role of global organizations in environmental protection continues to evolve and expand. As the world grapples with the increasing impacts of climate change, these organizations are adapting their strategies, fostering innovation, and striving for more effective international cooperation. Their efforts are crucial in the global fight to protect our planet for future generations.
Global organizations fighting climate change
Questions
True/False/Not Given
Answer True, False, or Not Given to the following statements:
- The UNFCCC was established in the early 1990s.
- The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature increase to exactly 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
- The IPCC provides annual reports on climate change to policymakers.
- NGOs like Greenpeace and WWF focus solely on raising awareness about environmental issues.
- The Global Environment Facility has funded projects in every country worldwide.
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.
What is the main role of the UNFCCC?
A) To implement global environmental policies
B) To provide a framework for international cooperation on climate change
C) To fund environmental projects worldwide
D) To conduct scientific research on climate changeThe IPCC’s primary function is to:
A) Enforce environmental regulations
B) Provide funding for climate research
C) Offer scientific assessments on climate change
D) Implement the Paris Agreement
Matching Information
Match the following descriptions (A-D) with the correct organization (8-11):
A) Provides grants for environmental projects
B) Produces scientific reports on climate change
C) Established the Paris Agreement
D) Acts as a watchdog for environmental practices
- UNFCCC
- IPCC
- Greenpeace
- Global Environment Facility
Short Answer Questions
Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS:
- What type of temperature increase does the Paris Agreement aim to limit?
- In addition to governments, which entities do NGOs hold accountable for environmental practices?
- What kind of mechanism is the Global Environment Facility described as?
Answer Key and Explanations
- True – The passage states, “Established in 1992, the UNFCCC provides a framework for international cooperation…”
- False – The passage mentions “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels,” not exactly 2°C.
- Not Given – The passage doesn’t specify the frequency of IPCC reports.
- False – The passage states they also “lobby governments, and implement grassroots projects.”
- False – The passage mentions “170 countries,” not every country worldwide.
- B – The passage clearly states that the UNFCCC “provides a framework for international cooperation to combat climate change.”
- C – The text states that the IPCC was “created to provide policymakers with regular scientific assessments on climate change.”
- C – The passage mentions that the UNFCCC’s “most significant achievement to date is the Paris Agreement.”
- B – The IPCC is described as providing “regular scientific assessments on climate change.”
- D – NGOs like Greenpeace are described as acting “as watchdogs, holding governments and corporations accountable.”
- A – The GEF is described as “providing grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation.”
- Global average
- Corporations
- Financial
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overlooking specific details: Pay close attention to precise wording, such as “well below 2°C” rather than “exactly 2°C.”
- Assuming information: Don’t infer facts not explicitly stated in the passage, like the frequency of IPCC reports.
- Misinterpreting roles: Ensure you understand the specific functions of each organization mentioned.
- Generalizing: Avoid overgeneralizing statements about organizations’ activities or reach.
Key Vocabulary
- Pivotal (adjective) – /ˈpɪvətl/ – of crucial importance
- Framework (noun) – /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/ – a basic structure underlying a system or concept
- Instrumental (adjective) – /ˌɪnstrəˈmentl/ – serving as a means of pursuing an aim
- Watchdogs (noun) – /ˈwɒtʃdɒɡz/ – people or organizations that monitor the practices of companies or institutions
- Grassroots (adjective) – /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/ – of or involving ordinary people, especially in contrast to leadership
- Inception (noun) – /ɪnˈsepʃn/ – the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity
Grammar Focus
Pay attention to the use of present perfect tense in describing ongoing actions and achievements:
- “The GEF has provided over $21.1 billion in grants and mobilized an additional $114 billion in co-financing.”
This tense is often used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to have relevance or impact in the present.
Tips for IELTS Reading Success
- Practice active reading: Engage with the text by predicting content, questioning information, and summarizing key points.
- Improve your vocabulary: Regularly study academic and topic-specific words to enhance your comprehension.
- Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the Reading test.
- Skim and scan effectively: Quickly identify main ideas and locate specific information.
- Read instructions carefully: Ensure you understand exactly what each question is asking.
- Don’t panic if you encounter unfamiliar topics: Focus on the information provided in the passage.
Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes with consistent practice and familiarity with various question types. Keep practicing with diverse topics, as environmental issues are just one of many subjects you might encounter. For more practice on related topics, check out our articles on the role of innovation in sustainable development and how AI is being used in environmental conservation. These resources will help you broaden your knowledge and improve your reading skills for the IELTS exam.