The IELTS Reading section tests your ability to understand detailed and complex passages set in academic contexts. A hot topic that has appeared frequently in IELTS exams is the impact of climate change on human migration. This article will provide you with a comprehensive reading passage, questions, and detailed answers to help you practice and prepare for your IELTS Reading exam effectively.
Historically, topics revolving around climate change and migration have made several appearances in IELTS Reading exams. Given the timeliness and increasing global awareness of climate change, it’s likely such topics will continue to be relevant in future exams.
Practice Reading Passage: Climate Change and Human Migration
The Effects of Climate Change on Human Migration
Climate change has manifested through rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and more frequent extreme weather events. These changes have profound effects not only on the environment but also on human societies. One significant consequence that has garnered considerable attention is the impact of climate change on human migration patterns.
Changing Agricultural Landscapes
One of the most direct ways that climate change impacts migration is through its effects on agriculture. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns can significantly affect crop yields. In regions where agriculture is the primary livelihood, this can lead to food insecurity and economic instability, prompting people to migrate to more fertile areas.
Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion
Another critical factor is the rise in sea levels caused by melting polar ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater. Coastal regions, home to a significant portion of the global population, are particularly vulnerable. Sea-level rise leads to coastal erosion, loss of habitat, and increased frequency of flooding, compelling inhabitants to relocate to safer inland areas.
Coastal Erosion
Extreme Weather Events
The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as hurricanes, typhoons, and droughts also contribute to migration. These events can cause widespread destruction, making affected areas uninhabitable, either temporarily or permanently. The displacement caused by such events often results in short-term as well as long-term migration.
Health Impacts
Climate change can exacerbate health issues, leading to migration for better healthcare access. For instance, warmer temperatures can increase the spread of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. In regions where healthcare systems are already strained, this could drive people to seek better medical facilities elsewhere.
IELTS Reading Practice Questions
Multiple Choice
- What is the primary cause of changes in agricultural yields mentioned in the passage?
- A) Increased healthcare issues
- B) Rising global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns
- C) The spread of vector-borne diseases
- D) Coastal erosion
Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)
- Sea-level rise affects only a small percentage of the global population.
- Extreme weather events can cause both temporary and permanent migration.
Matching Information
-
Match the following impacts of climate change to the corresponding effects on migration:
- A) Rising sea levels
- B) Changes in precipitation
- C) Increased temperature
- D) Extreme weather events
i. Coastal erosion and flooding
ii. Altered crop yields
iii. More frequent hurricanes and typhoons
iv. Spread of vector-borne diseases
Sentence Completion
- Climate change can lead to the spread of diseases, resulting in __.
Answer Key and Explanations
-
(B) Rising global temperatures and changing precipitation patterns
- This answer is directly mentioned in the “Changing Agricultural Landscapes” section.
-
False.
- The passage states that coastal regions, home to a significant portion of the global population, are highly affected.
-
True.
- The passage mentions that extreme weather events can cause both short-term and long-term migration.
-
Match the following impacts of climate change to the corresponding effects on migration:
- A (i), B (ii), C (iv), D (iii)
-
better healthcare access
- This fill-in-the-blank is addressed in the “Health Impacts” section where migration is driven by the need for better medical facilities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Misinterpreting the text: Always refer back to the passage to verify your answers.
- Not understanding the question format: Familiarize yourself with different question types.
- Poor time management: Practice under timed conditions to improve your pace.
Vocabulary to Remember
- Manifested: (verb) /ˈmænɪˌfɛst/ – To show something clearly.
- Precipitation: (noun) /prɪˌsɪpɪˈteɪʃ(ə)n/ – Any form of water, such as rain or snow, that falls from the atmosphere and reaches the ground.
- Erosion: (noun) /ɪˈroʊʒən/ – The gradual destruction or diminishment of something by natural forces.
- Vector-borne diseases: (noun) /ˈvɛktər bɔrn dɪˌziz/ – Diseases transmitted by insect vectors like mosquitoes and ticks.
Grammatical Structures
-
Cause and Effect Clauses: “Rising temperatures can significantly affect crop yields, leading to food insecurity.”
- Here, “leading to” illustrates the result of the cause presented earlier.
-
Comparative Structures: “Warmer temperatures can increase the spread of vector-borne diseases.”
- The use of “can increase” implies comparison.
Tips for Improving Reading Scores
- Practice regularly with passages on various topics to become versatile.
- Enhance your vocabulary to better understand complex texts.
- Develop skimming and scanning techniques to quickly locate key information.
- Take note of the question patterns and types that commonly appear in the IELTS Reading section.
By staying informed about current issues such as climate change and refining your reading skills, you can effectively prepare for the IELTS Reading section and improve your chances of achieving a high score.
