IELTS Reading Practice: The Role of International Organizations in Promoting Sustainability

The role of international organizations in promoting sustainability has become increasingly crucial in our globalized world. This IELTS Reading practice test focuses on this important topic, providing you with an opportunity to enhance your reading skills while exploring the impact of global institutions on environmental protection, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.

International organizations promoting sustainability

IELTS Reading Test

Passage 1 – Easy Text

The United Nations and Sustainable Development

The United Nations (UN) has been at the forefront of promoting sustainability on a global scale. In 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals address a wide range of issues, from poverty and hunger to climate change and environmental degradation.

One of the UN’s key initiatives is the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), established in 1972. UNEP works to coordinate environmental activities and assist developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It has been instrumental in facilitating international environmental conventions and promoting sustainable development worldwide.

The UN also organizes regular climate conferences, such as the Conference of the Parties (COP), where nations come together to negotiate and implement climate action plans. These conferences have resulted in significant agreements, including the Paris Agreement of 2015, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Furthermore, the UN has established specialized agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), which contribute to sustainable development in their respective fields. The FAO works to combat hunger and improve nutrition globally, while the WHO focuses on promoting health and well-being for all.

Questions 1-5

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. The United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
2. UNEP was established in the 1980s.
3. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
4. The FAO is responsible for improving global health standards.
5. The UN organizes annual climate conferences called COP.

Questions 6-10

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

6. The United Nations Environment Programme helps developing countries implement __ policies.
7. UNEP plays a crucial role in __ international environmental conventions.
8. The UN organizes climate conferences where nations negotiate and __ climate action plans.
9. The FAO works to __ hunger and improve nutrition globally.
10. The WHO focuses on promoting __ for all people.

Passage 2 – Medium Text

The World Bank’s Role in Sustainable Development

The World Bank, a prominent international financial institution, plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainability and economic development worldwide. Established in 1944, the World Bank has evolved from its initial focus on post-war reconstruction to become a major force in addressing global challenges, including poverty reduction, environmental protection, and sustainable economic growth.

One of the World Bank’s key strategies in promoting sustainability is through its lending practices. The institution provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to developing countries, with an increasing emphasis on projects that support sustainable development. In recent years, the World Bank has significantly increased its financing for climate-related initiatives, committing to allocate 35% of its financing to climate action by 2025.

The World Bank also plays a crucial role in knowledge sharing and capacity building. Through its research and analytical work, the institution provides valuable insights into development challenges and best practices. The World Bank’s annual World Development Report, for instance, delves into critical global issues and offers evidence-based policy recommendations. Additionally, the Bank offers training programs and workshops to government officials and practitioners in developing countries, helping to build local capacity for sustainable development.

Another important aspect of the World Bank’s work is its partnership with other international organizations and stakeholders. The Bank collaborates closely with UN agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to leverage resources and expertise. For example, the World Bank works with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support projects that address global environmental issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.

However, the World Bank’s approach to promoting sustainability has not been without criticism. Some argue that the institution’s focus on economic growth can sometimes conflict with environmental and social sustainability goals. Critics also point out that the Bank’s lending practices may inadvertently contribute to environmental degradation in some cases. In response to these concerns, the World Bank has strengthened its environmental and social safeguards and continues to refine its approach to ensure that its interventions support truly sustainable development.

Questions 11-15

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

11. The World Bank was initially established to:
    A) promote sustainability
    B) provide post-war reconstruction
    C) address global challenges
    D) reduce poverty

12. By 2025, the World Bank aims to allocate what percentage of its financing to climate action?
    A) 25%
    B) 30%
    C) 35%
    D) 40%

13. The World Bank’s annual World Development Report:
    A) focuses solely on economic issues
    B) provides financial forecasts
    C) offers evidence-based policy recommendations
    D) criticizes developing countries’ policies

14. The World Bank collaborates with the Global Environment Facility to address:
    A) poverty reduction
    B) economic growth
    C) global environmental issues
    D) post-war reconstruction

15. Some critics argue that the World Bank’s approach:
    A) is too focused on environmental protection
    B) neglects economic growth
    C) may sometimes conflict with sustainability goals
    D) is not collaborative enough

Questions 16-20

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

The World Bank promotes sustainability through various means, including its 16)__ practices, which provide financial support to developing countries. The institution also focuses on 17)__ and capacity building, offering valuable insights through research and analytical work. The World Bank’s 18)__ with other organizations and stakeholders helps to leverage resources and expertise. However, the Bank has faced criticism that its focus on economic growth may 19)__ with sustainability goals. In response, the World Bank has strengthened its 20)__ to ensure its interventions support sustainable development.

Passage 3 – Hard Text

Non-Governmental Organizations: Catalysts for Sustainable Change

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have emerged as indispensable actors in the global push for sustainability, often filling crucial gaps left by governmental and intergovernmental efforts. These organizations, ranging from small grassroots movements to large international entities, play a multifaceted role in promoting sustainable practices, advocating for policy changes, and implementing on-the-ground projects that directly impact communities and ecosystems.

One of the primary strengths of NGOs in promoting sustainability lies in their ability to mobilize public support and raise awareness about critical environmental and social issues. Organizations such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have been instrumental in bringing global attention to problems like deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Through creative campaigns, research publications, and media engagement, these NGOs have successfully galvanized public opinion and pressured governments and corporations to adopt more sustainable practices.

NGOs also play a crucial role in policy advocacy and shaping international agreements on sustainability. Many environmental NGOs participate in international conferences and negotiations, providing expert input and representing civil society interests. For instance, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been influential in developing global conservation standards and contributing to international treaties like the Convention on Biological Diversity. Similarly, organizations focused on social sustainability, such as Oxfam and ActionAid, have been vocal advocates for equitable development policies and fair trade practices.

In addition to advocacy, many NGOs are directly involved in implementing sustainability projects at the local level. These initiatives often serve as pilot programs or models that can be scaled up or replicated elsewhere. For example, The Nature Conservancy works on conservation projects worldwide, from protecting coral reefs to restoring forests. In the realm of social sustainability, NGOs like Water.org have pioneered innovative approaches to providing clean water and sanitation in developing countries.

However, the role of NGOs in promoting sustainability is not without challenges and criticisms. Some argue that the proliferation of NGOs has led to a fragmented approach to addressing global issues, with potential duplication of efforts and inefficient use of resources. There are also concerns about the accountability and transparency of some NGOs, particularly regarding their funding sources and decision-making processes.

Moreover, the relationship between NGOs and other stakeholders in the sustainability arena can be complex. While NGOs often collaborate with governments and international organizations, they may also find themselves in adversarial positions when advocating for more ambitious sustainability targets or criticizing insufficient action. The interaction between NGOs and the private sector is equally nuanced, ranging from partnerships on corporate social responsibility initiatives to campaigns targeting unsustainable business practices.

Despite these challenges, the role of NGOs in promoting sustainability remains crucial. Their ability to innovate, respond quickly to emerging issues, and maintain a long-term focus on sustainability goals complements the efforts of governments and international organizations. As the global community continues to grapple with pressing sustainability challenges, the diverse perspectives and approaches offered by NGOs will undoubtedly remain an essential component of the collective effort to create a more sustainable world.

Questions 21-26

Complete the sentences below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

21. NGOs often fill important __ left by governmental and intergovernmental efforts in promoting sustainability.

22. One of the main strengths of NGOs is their ability to __ public support for environmental and social issues.

23. Organizations like Greenpeace and WWF have been successful in __ public opinion on sustainability issues.

24. The IUCN has been influential in developing global __ standards.

25. Many NGO initiatives serve as __ that can be scaled up or replicated in other areas.

26. The relationship between NGOs and other stakeholders can sometimes be __ when advocating for more ambitious sustainability targets.

Questions 27-33

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?

Write:

TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

27. NGOs are always more effective than governments in promoting sustainability.

28. Greenpeace and WWF have successfully raised awareness about environmental issues through various methods.

29. The IUCN has contributed to international treaties on biodiversity conservation.

30. All NGOs focus solely on environmental sustainability issues.

31. Some critics argue that the large number of NGOs leads to inefficient use of resources.

32. NGOs never collaborate with the private sector on sustainability initiatives.

33. The passage suggests that NGOs will continue to play an important role in promoting sustainability in the future.

Questions 34-40

Complete the summary below.

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Non-Governmental Organizations play a vital role in promoting sustainability globally. They excel in 34)__ public support and raising awareness about environmental and social issues. NGOs also contribute to 35)__ by participating in international conferences and providing expert input. Many organizations implement 36)__ at the local level, which can serve as models for larger-scale initiatives.

However, NGOs face several challenges. The 37)__ of NGOs has led to concerns about duplication of efforts and resource efficiency. Questions have also been raised about the 38)__ and transparency of some organizations. The relationship between NGOs and other stakeholders can be 39)__, ranging from collaboration to criticism.

Despite these challenges, NGOs remain crucial in the push for sustainability due to their ability to 40)__, respond quickly to new issues, and maintain a long-term focus on sustainability goals.

Answer Keys

Passage 1

1. TRUE
2. FALSE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. FALSE
5. NOT GIVEN
6. environmentally sound
7. facilitating
8. implement
9. combat
10. health and well-being

Passage 2

11. B
12. C
13. C
14. C
15. C
16. lending
17. knowledge sharing
18. partnership
19. conflict
20. safeguards

Passage 3

21. gaps
22. mobilize
23. galvanized
24. conservation
25. pilot programs
26. adversarial
27. NOT GIVEN
28. TRUE
29. TRUE
30. FALSE
31. TRUE
32. FALSE
33. TRUE
34. mobilizing
35. policy advocacy
36. sustainability projects
37. proliferation
38. accountability
39. complex
40. innovate

Conclusion

This IELTS Reading practice test has provided valuable insights into the role of international organizations in promoting sustainability. By exploring the functions of the United Nations, the World Bank, and various NGOs, we’ve seen how these entities contribute to global sustainable development through policy-making, financing, advocacy, and on-the-ground initiatives.

For those preparing for the IELTS exam, this practice test offers an excellent opportunity to enhance your reading skills while gaining knowledge about a crucial global topic. Remember to practice regularly and familiarize yourself with different question types to improve your performance in the IELTS Reading section.

To further enhance your understanding of global sustainability issues, you might want to explore related topics such as how international aid impacts developing nations or the role of global institutions in promoting sustainability. These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary that will be valuable for your IELTS preparation.