IELTS Reading Practice: Urbanization’s Effect on Public Health

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial component of the test, assessing your ability to comprehend complex texts and extract relevant information. Today, we’ll focus on a topic that has become increasingly prevalent in IELTS exams: “Urbanization’s effect on public health.” This subject has appeared in various forms over the past few years, reflecting its growing importance in our rapidly urbanizing world. Given its relevance and frequency, there’s a high likelihood that you may encounter a similar theme in future IELTS tests.

Urban Health Challenges

IELTS Reading Practice Test

Reading Passage

The Health Implications of Rapid Urbanization

A. The world is urbanizing at an unprecedented rate. According to the United Nations, more than half of the global population now lives in urban areas, and this proportion is expected to increase to 68% by 2050. This massive shift from rural to urban living brings with it a host of challenges, particularly in the realm of public health. As cities grow, often at a pace that outstrips planning and infrastructure development, the health of urban dwellers can be significantly impacted in both positive and negative ways.

B. One of the most immediate and visible effects of urbanization on public health is the change in disease patterns. Urban environments can facilitate the spread of communicable diseases due to high population density and frequent person-to-person contact. Respiratory infections, for instance, can spread rapidly in crowded living conditions and on public transportation systems. Moreover, the concentration of people in urban areas can lead to the emergence of new diseases or the re-emergence of those previously controlled. The recent COVID-19 pandemic starkly illustrated how quickly a disease can spread in densely populated urban centers.

C. However, urbanization isn’t solely a harbinger of health problems. Cities often provide better access to healthcare services compared to rural areas. Hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical facilities are typically more abundant and accessible in urban settings. This improved access can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of diseases, potentially improving overall health outcomes. Additionally, urban areas often have better health education and awareness programs, which can contribute to improved health literacy among the population.

D. The urban lifestyle itself can have significant impacts on public health. On one hand, city dwellers often have access to a wider variety of foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, which can contribute to better nutrition. On the other hand, urban life is often associated with more sedentary behaviors, increased consumption of processed foods, and higher stress levels. These factors contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders in urban populations.

E. Environmental factors play a crucial role in urban public health. Air pollution, a common problem in many cities, is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even certain cancers. Noise pollution, another urban phenomenon, can lead to hearing loss, sleep disturbances, and increased stress levels. Additionally, the urban heat island effect, where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas, can exacerbate heat-related illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

F. The built environment of cities also impacts public health in various ways. The design of urban spaces can either promote or hinder physical activity. Cities with well-planned green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and cycling infrastructure can encourage residents to engage in regular physical activity, which is crucial for maintaining good health. Conversely, poorly designed urban areas with limited public spaces and heavy reliance on motorized transport can contribute to sedentary lifestyles and associated health problems.

G. Mental health is another critical aspect of public health that is significantly affected by urbanization. While cities offer numerous opportunities for social interaction and cultural engagement, they can also be sources of stress, social isolation, and mental health challenges. The fast-paced urban lifestyle, coupled with factors such as high living costs, competition for resources, and social inequalities, can contribute to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders among urban populations.

H. As urbanization continues to shape our world, addressing its effects on public health becomes increasingly important. Urban planning that prioritizes health considerations, investments in public health infrastructure, and policies that promote healthy urban living are crucial. Moreover, as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, the health of urban populations has global implications, making it imperative for cities worldwide to work towards creating healthier, more resilient urban environments.

Questions

Questions 1-5

The reading passage has 8 paragraphs, A-H.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-H, in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet.

1. The impact of city design on residents’ physical activity levels
2. The dual nature of healthcare accessibility in urban areas
3. The global trend towards increasing urban populations
4. The effect of urban environments on mental well-being
5. The influence of city life on dietary habits and lifestyle diseases

Questions 6-10

Complete the sentences below.

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

Write your answers in boxes 6-10 on your answer sheet.

6. Urban areas can facilitate the spread of ___ diseases due to high population density.
7. Cities often provide better access to ___ compared to rural areas.
8. The urban ___ effect can worsen heat-related illnesses in cities.
9. Well-planned green spaces and pedestrian-friendly streets can encourage regular ___.
10. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for creating more ___ urban environments.

Questions 11-14

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

In boxes 11-14 on your answer sheet, 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

11. All aspects of urbanization negatively impact public health.
12. Urban areas always have better health education programs than rural areas.
13. Air pollution in cities is linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer.
14. The pace of urbanization often exceeds the development of adequate infrastructure.

Answers and Explanations

1. F
   Explanation: Paragraph F discusses how the built environment of cities, including the design of urban spaces, can impact physical activity levels among residents.

2. C
   Explanation: Paragraph C mentions both the positive aspect of better access to healthcare services in cities and the improved health education and awareness programs.

3. A
   Explanation: Paragraph A provides statistics on the increasing global urban population, stating that it’s expected to reach 68% by 2050.

4. G
   Explanation: Paragraph G focuses on the impact of urbanization on mental health, discussing both positive and negative aspects.

5. D
   Explanation: Paragraph D discusses how urban lifestyles affect dietary habits and contribute to the rise of non-communicable diseases like obesity and diabetes.

6. communicable
   Explanation: Paragraph B states, “Urban environments can facilitate the spread of communicable diseases due to high population density and frequent person-to-person contact.”

7. healthcare services
   Explanation: Paragraph C mentions, “Cities often provide better access to healthcare services compared to rural areas.”

8. heat island
   Explanation: Paragraph E refers to “the urban heat island effect, where cities experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas.”

9. physical activity
   Explanation: Paragraph F states that well-planned urban spaces “can encourage residents to engage in regular physical activity.”

10. resilient
    Explanation: The last sentence of Paragraph H mentions the need for “creating healthier, more resilient urban environments.”

11. FALSE
    Explanation: The passage presents both positive and negative impacts of urbanization on public health. For example, Paragraph C discusses improved access to healthcare in urban areas.

12. NOT GIVEN
    Explanation: While the passage mentions that urban areas often have better health education programs, it doesn’t state that this is always the case compared to rural areas.

13. TRUE
    Explanation: Paragraph E states, “Air pollution, a common problem in many cities, is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and even certain cancers.”

14. TRUE
    Explanation: Paragraph A mentions that cities often grow “at a pace that outstrips planning and infrastructure development.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlooking key words: Pay attention to qualifiers like “often,” “can,” or “may” which indicate that a statement is not absolute.

2. Making assumptions: Stick to the information provided in the text. Don’t bring in outside knowledge or make inferences beyond what’s stated.

3. Misinterpreting ‘NOT GIVEN’: Remember, this option means the information is neither confirmed nor denied in the passage.

4. Rushing through the text: Take time to understand the overall structure and main ideas of each paragraph.

5. Ignoring context: Consider the surrounding sentences when answering questions, as context can often provide crucial information.

Vocabulary Focus

• Unprecedented: never done or known before
• Harbinger: a person or thing that announces or signals the approach of another
• Sedentary: tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive
• Exacerbate: make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse
• Resilient: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions

Grammar Spotlight

Pay attention to the use of comparative structures in the passage, such as:

“Cities often provide better access to healthcare services compared to rural areas.”

This structure (comparative adjective + noun + “compared to”) is commonly used to draw contrasts between two things or situations.

Advice for High Scores in IELTS Reading

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

2. Improve your vocabulary: Regularly learn new words and phrases, especially those commonly used in academic and scientific contexts.

3. Time management: Allocate your time wisely across all sections of the reading test. Don’t spend too long on any single question.

4. Skim and scan effectively: Use these techniques to quickly locate specific information in the text.

5. Read the instructions carefully: Make sure you understand exactly what each question is asking before attempting to answer.

6. Practice regularly: Familiarize yourself with various question types and text structures by doing practice tests under timed conditions.

Remember, success in IELTS Reading comes from a combination of strong language skills, effective test-taking strategies, and consistent practice. Keep working on these areas, and you’ll see improvement in your performance.

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

• Urbanization’s Impact on Water Access
• The Effects of Urbanization on Green Spaces
• What Are the Social Impacts of Increasing Urbanization?

These resources can provide additional context and vocabulary related to urbanization and its various effects, which could be valuable for your IELTS preparation.