The Impacts of Nuclear Energy on Environmental Safety – An IELTS Reading Practice

The IELTS Reading section is a crucial part of the exam that tests your ability to understand complex texts and answer questions based on them. One prevalent topic that has appeared in past exams and is growing in relevance is the impacts of nuclear energy on environmental safety. This subject is not only crucial for its environmental implications but also rich in vocabulary and complex grammatical structures, making it perfect for IELTS practice.

Reading Passage: Nuclear Energy and Environmental Safety

Difficulty Level: Medium Text

Nuclear energy has long been heralded as a solution to the global energy crisis, promising a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. However, the environmental impact of nuclear energy remains a topic of intense debate. While proponents argue that nuclear power is a clean, efficient source of energy, critics point to the potential for catastrophic accidents and the long-term issue of radioactive waste.

One of the primary advantages of nuclear energy is its low carbon footprint. Unlike coal or natural gas plants, nuclear reactors do not produce carbon dioxide during their operation, significantly reducing their contribution to climate change. France, for instance, derives approximately 75% of its electricity from nuclear power, resulting in one of the lowest per capita carbon emissions among developed nations.

Despite these advantages, nuclear energy poses significant environmental risks. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine and the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan highlighted the potential for catastrophic events. These incidents not only caused immediate fatalities but also led to long-term environmental contamination. Radioactive materials released during such accidents can persist in the environment for decades, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.

Another critical issue is the disposal of radioactive waste. Nuclear reactors produce spent fuel that remains hazardous for thousands of years. The management of this waste is an ongoing challenge, with most countries opting for deep geological repositories as a long-term solution. However, no repository is entirely foolproof, and the potential for leaks remains a concern.

In addition to waste disposal, the routine operation of nuclear power plants also involves the release of low-level radioactive materials. These emissions, although regulated, can accumulate in the environment over time. Critics argue that the long-term environmental effects of these low-level emissions are not fully understood and could pose unforeseen risks.

While nuclear power offers a relatively low-carbon energy source, it comes with significant environmental and safety challenges. Balancing the benefits of reduced greenhouse gas emissions with the risks of catastrophic accidents and long-term waste disposal remains a contentious issue. As the world grapples with the twin challenges of energy security and climate change, the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future will continue to be a subject of critical examination.

Nuclear Energy's Impact on Environmental Safety

Questions

Multiple Choice

1. What is one of the main advantages of nuclear energy?
   a. High operational costs
   b. Low carbon footprint
   c. Production of toxic gases
   d. High greenhouse gas emissions

2. Which countries experienced significant nuclear accidents mentioned in the passage?
   a. France and Germany
   b. Chernobyl and Fukushima
   c. Ukraine and Japan
   d. Italy and Spain

Identifying Information (True/False/Not Given)

3. The passage states that nuclear reactors produce a high amount of carbon dioxide during operation. (False)
4. France derives approximately 75% of its electricity from nuclear power. (True)
5. The long-term environmental effects of low-level radioactive emissions are well understood. (Not Given)

Sentence Completion

6. The 1986 Chernobyl disaster and the 2011 Fukushima accident highlighted the potential for ____.
7. Radioactive materials released during nuclear accidents can persist in the environment for ____.

Summary Completion

Complete the summary using the list of words below.

• catastrophes
• low
• radioactive
• emissions
• thousands
• security

Nuclear energy is praised for its (8) carbon footprint and potential to reduce greenhouse gas (9). However, it poses significant environmental threats, including catastrophic accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, and the long-term challenge of managing (10) waste that remains hazardous for (11) of years.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. b. Low carbon footprint – The passage highlights that nuclear reactors do not produce carbon dioxide during operation.
2. c. Ukraine and Japan – These are the countries where the Chernobyl and Fukushima accidents took place.
3. False – The passage clearly states that nuclear reactors do not produce carbon dioxide during their operation.
4. True – The passage mentions that France derives approximately 75% of its electricity from nuclear power.
5. Not Given – The passage suggests that critics argue the long-term effects are not fully understood, but does not provide definitive information.
6. catastrophic events – The passage mentions these accidents highlighted the potential for catastrophic events.
7. decades – The passage states that radioactive materials can persist in the environment for decades.
8. low
9. emissions
10. radioactive
11. thousands

Common Mistakes

• Misunderstanding the Question: Carefully read the question to determine exactly what it is asking.
• Ignoring Key Words: Words like “low,” “high,” “many,” and “few” can change the meaning of a sentence.
• Overlooking Details: Pay attention to specific details and dates mentioned in the reading passage.

Vocabulary

• Carbon Footprint (n.) [ˈkɑː.bən ˈfʊt.prɪnt]: The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Radioactive (adj.) [ˌreɪ.di.oʊˈæk.tɪv]: Emitting or relating to the emission of ionizing radiation or particles.
• Geological Repositories (n.) [dʒiː.əʊˈlɒdʒɪ.kəl rɪˈpɒzɪtəriz]: Deep geological formations used to store radioactive waste.

Grammar Focus

Passive Voice

• Structure: Subject + verb “to be” + past participle + (by agent).
• Example from the text: “Nuclear reactors produce spent fuel that remains hazardous for thousands of years.”
  • Explanation: The passive voice is often used in scientific writing to focus on the action rather than the doer.

Advice for High IELTS Reading Scores

• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice helps improve your reading speed and comprehension.
• Expand Your Vocabulary: Learn new words and their meanings to understand passages better.
• Focus on Time Management: Allocate your time wisely to ensure you can complete all questions.
• Understand the Question Types: Familiarize yourself with different types of questions to better understand what is being asked.

By integrating these strategies and focusing on improving both your comprehension and time management skills, you can aim for a high score in the IELTS Reading section.