Prepare for IELTS by Topic
12. Environmental Problems
The environment is a hot topic in the modern world, and as such it often appears in some way in the IELTS test. It may be in a reading or listening passage or audio, or you could easily be asked about it in Writing Task 2.
LISTENING
Listening Test Part:
4
Questions 1 - 10
How Droughts have affected the United States
Measuring Droughts
By studying tree rings scientists can measure past periods of drought.
Scientists measure the 1 ___________ and density of the tree rings.
Medieaval Megadroughts
A series of megadroughts devastated the American Southwest from around the years 800 to 1400.
They were caused by the Earth absorbing more of the sun’s 2 ___________.
Droughts and Early Colonies
A drought starting in the 16th century may have led to the deaths of the first colonists at Jamestown.
It would have been very difficult to grow food and 3 ___________ animals.
A drought may have caused the failure of Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke Colony.
The 1930s Dust Bowl
The Dust Bowl badly damaged the 4 ___________ and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies.
Land owners didn’t protect the top 5 ___________.
The Great Plains were destroyed by dust 6 ___________.
The U.S. Southwest
Drought affected the Great Plains in the U.S. Southwest in the early 1950s.
There was a large reduction in 7 ___________ yields.
Farmers could not feed their cattle.
In the towns and cities, water 8 ___________ became a part of life.
The last 50 years
36% of the country was affected by drought between 1987 and 1989.
A drought led to serious 9 ___________ fires.
The years 2000 to 2022 were the driest in the West since at least 800 AD.
Several years of high rainfall are needed for water 10 __________ to recover.
READING
The Challenges of Protecting Animal Habitats
The destruction of important animal habitats has become an alarming global issue in recent decades, with far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and ecological stability. While the call for protecting important natural habitats is loud in countries enjoying high standards of living, the poorer nations that usually contain these areas remain focused on pulling their citizens out of poverty. Below, we’ll look at the key reasons for habitat destruction, some of the solutions available and then look at the justification for their exploitation. Finally, the case will be made that richer nations must try to develop the solutions and practices that will help the rest of the world to protect these areas.
Reasons for Habitat Destruction
Urbanisation and Infrastructure Development
One of the primary drivers of habitat destruction is urbanisation. As human populations grow, there is an increasing demand for housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure. This often leads to the conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas, resulting in the displacement or elimination of numerous species.
Agricultural Expansion
Agriculture, a fundamental human activity, plays a significant role in habitat destruction. The conversion of forests, grasslands, and wetlands into agricultural land is a pervasive practice globally. This results in the loss of critical habitats for countless species and disrupts ecological balance.
Logging and Deforestation
The demand for timber, paper, and other wood-based products continues to grow. Ancient forests, rich in biodiversity and ecologically complex, are being cut down at an alarming rate to meet this demand. These practices not only directly remove habitats but also alter the composition and structure of ecosystems, making them unsuitable for many species. Even where trees are replanted, the resulting forest often lacks the complexity and biodiversity of the previous forest cover.
Mining and Resource Extraction
Mining operations, including coal, oil, and mineral extraction, often require large tracts of land. These activities can lead to the destruction of habitats and the pollution of surrounding environments, making them inhospitable for many species. Perhaps counterintuitively, as we move towards the electrification of our economies, something which is necessary to end our reliance on fossil fuels, we face new and growing demands for mined metals and minerals such as copper, lithium and rare earths.
Climate Change
While not a direct form of habitat destruction, climate change exacerbates the problem. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events can alter habitats beyond recognition, rendering them unsuitable for their native inhabitants.
Measures to Reduce Habitat Destruction
Land Use Planning and Zoning
Effective land use planning and zoning regulations can help designate areas for development while preserving critical habitats. This approach ensures that human activities do not encroach upon sensitive ecosystems. This approach serves as a critical safeguard against the spreading of urbanisation, agriculture, and infrastructure projects into areas that are vital for the survival of numerous species.
Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture
Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as agroforestry, organic farming, and precision agriculture, can help minimise the impact of farming on natural habitats. Agroforestry, for instance, is a holistic farming technique that integrates trees into agricultural landscapes, while in the case of organic farming, farmers avoid using synthetic inputs and instead try to work in harmony with the ecosystem, fostering healthier soil, water, and air quality. These practices focus on maximising productivity while minimising environmental harm.
Reforestation and Habitat Restoration
Efforts to restore and rehabilitate degraded habitats can help mitigate the effects of habitat destruction. Reforestation projects, wetland restoration initiatives, and the creation of wildlife corridors are essential steps in this direction. One notable example of a reforestation project is the "Great Green Wall" initiative in Africa. This ambitious project aims to combat desertification and land degradation in the Sahel region, a semi-arid zone that spans across 11 countries from Senegal in the west to Djibouti in the east.
Regulation and Enforcement
Stringent regulations and their effective enforcement are crucial in controlling activities that lead to habitat destruction. This includes monitoring logging operations, controlling mining activities, and ensuring compliance with environmental impact assessments. Very often the problem is not the lack of laws protecting important natural habitats, but rather the enforcement of these laws.
Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Addressing climate change is paramount in ensuring stability of climatic conditions, which is necessary if we want to safeguard important animal habitats around the world. If temperatures rise too precipitately, or rain patterns change too dramatically, many species will be in grave danger as their habitats become inhospitable. Transitioning to carbon-free energy sources such as nuclear power, or reducing fossil fuel use through the widespread use of electric vehicles, could help stabilise temperatures.
The Justifiability of Habitat Destruction
The justifiability of habitat destruction is a contentious issue. On one hand, human development and economic progress are essential for societal well-being, but on the other hand, a high price is being paid by other species. Infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, and resource extraction are all causing huge damage to important natural habitats around the world but are also important in raising living standards.
The right trade-off between economic growth and protecting the environment is not easy to find, especially in countries where low living standards are still widespread. While richer developed nations may be able to afford to use less cost-efficient means of producing energy or abstain from exploiting their natural resources, this is harder to justify in poorer nations where many people still live in or on the edge of poverty.
In the Hands of Developed Nations
Given that it is unrealistic to expect poor nations to fund the use of green technologies or avoid the exploitation of their natural resources, it's left to richer, more developed nations to take the lead in protecting important natural habitats. These countries can make use of their better access to funding and state of the art technology to develop sustainable technologies and practices to the point where poor countries can use them without sacrificing living standards. Furthermore, poor nations must be assisted in finding a better way to exploit their natural resources. For instance, funds could be made available to assist in a transition to eco-tourism in areas of rainforest, or to promote other types of more environmentally friendly economic activity. As a result, these poorer nations could join a worldwide effort to fight climate change.
Questions 1 - 3
Complete the summary below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
The Reasons for Habitat Destruction
Habitat destruction stems from several key factors. Urbanisation, driven by population 1____________, transforms natural landscapes into urban areas, displacing countless species. Agricultural expansion involves converting forests, grasslands, and wetlands into farmland, disrupting ecosystems and eliminating critical habitats. Logging and deforestation, driven by demands for wood-based products, remove biodiverse ancient forests and alter ecosystems. Mining and the 2____________ of resources, essential for industry, lead to habitat destruction and environmental pollution. Additionally, climate change exacerbates the issue, causing drastic habitat alterations through rising temperatures and extreme weather events, making them 3____________ for native species.
Question 4-7
Complete the sentences below.
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
4. Effective land use planning can select certain areas for development while protecting very important ____________.
5. Agroforestry is a method of incorporating _____________ into areas of farmland.
6. In order to prevent the destruction of important habitats the proper _____________ of laws and regulations is needed.
7. It is difficult for poor nations to avoid ____________ the natural resources in their territories.
SPEAKING
Speaking Part 1
1. Is pollution a problem in your town/ city?
2. Are there many green spaces in your town/ city?
3. Does your country ever suffer from floods or droughts?
4. What environmental problems do you think are most serious?
5. Is it common to recycle rubbish?
6. How can an individual reduce carbon-dioxide emissions?
7. Do you think we will still use oil and gas in 50 years?
8. Are you worried about climate change?
Speaking Part 2
Describe an environmental problem or event.
You should say:
what it is
where it is happening
and what problems it causes
Speaking Part 3
1. How do you think the increasing population is affecting the environment?
2. What can be done to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment?
3. Do you think environmental education should be a mandatory part of the school curriculum?
4. What is the role of the media in raising awareness about environmental problems?
5. How do you think businesses can be more environmentally responsible?
6. How can international cooperation help address global environmental problems?
WRITING
Writing Task 1 Assignment (General Training)
You are worried about an environmental issue in the area where you live. Write a letter to the local authorities expressing your concerns and suggesting possible solutions.
You should:
clearly describe the environmental problem you observed
explain why this issue is important
suggest specific actions that could be taken to address the problem
Writing Task 2 Assignment
Some countries are making serious efforts to reduce global warming.
Do you believe that all countries should do the same?
VOCABULARY
Vocabulary Exercises:
Exercise 1: Multiple-Choice Exercise
Choose the best vocabulary word to complete each sentence.
1. The ___________ of the polar bear will be a direct consequence of climate change.
a) extinction
b) habitat
c) eco-friendly
2. Using ___________ transportation options, such as bicycles or electric cars, can help reduce emissions.
a) renewable
b) pollutant
c) eco-friendly
3. The construction of highways often leads to ___________, negatively impacting the environment.
a) emissions
b) biodiversity
c) deforestation
4. ___________ practices aim to preserve natural resources and protect the environment.
a) Sustainable
b) Endangered
c) Mitigate
5. The depletion of ___________ can have severe consequences for humanity’s future.
a) energy consumption
b) natural resources
c) ecosystem
Exercise 2: Gap-fill Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or phrase from the list provided below.
1. The Amazon rainforest is facing serious threats from ___________, leading to the loss of diverse plant and animal species.
2. The construction of factories and industries often contributes to high levels of ___________ in urban areas.
3. It is crucial to ___________ the impact of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
4. The destruction of the ___________ of a species leads to its extinction.
5. An ___________ is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment.
6. Using ___________ energy sources like solar and wind power can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
7. Every year more animal species become ___________ as their numbers fall very low.
8. ___________ practices are practices that can be carried out over the long term without damaging the environment.
9. The prolonged ___________ in the region has led to serious agricultural challenges with many crops failing due to the lack of water.
10. The Amazon rainforest is famous for its ___________, with a huge range of animal and plant life thriving there.
habitat
deforestation
biodiversity
renewable
pollutants
endangered
drought
sustainable
mitigate
eco-system
Exercise 3: Matching Exercise
Match the word or phrase with its corresponding definition below.
1. climate change
2. emissions
3. fossil fuels
4. smog
5. conservation
6. energy consumption
7. habitat
8. eco-friendly
a. When the Earth's weather patterns and temperatures start to change due to human activity.
b. The act of protecting and preserving natural resources, habitats, and species.
c. A kind of pollution that happens when dirty air gets trapped near the ground.
d. Environmentally friendly or sustainable, causing minimal harm to the environment.
e. Things like coal, oil, and gas that come from ancient plants and animals. We burn them to make energy.
f. The amount of energy that is used or consumed by people or machines.
g. The natural environment where organisms live.
h. Gases that are released into the air, usually from things like cars, factories, or power plants.
Topic Vocabulary:
biodiversity (noun [u]):
Definition: The number of plants and animals that live in an area, or in the world.
Example: Deforestation in the Amazon rainforest threatens the biodiversity of the region.
climate change (noun phrase):
Definition: When the Earth's weather patterns and temperatures start to change due to human activity.
Example: Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are evidence of climate change.
conservation (noun [u]):
Definition: The act of protecting and preserving natural resources, habitats, and species.
Example: The organisation works tirelessly to promote the conservation of endangered species and their habitats.
deforestation (noun [u]):
Definition: The clearing or removal of forests or trees on a large scale.
Example: Deforestation is a major cause of climate change.
drought (noun [u]):
Definition: When there's not enough rain for a long time, and it makes things very dry.
Example: The lack of rain caused a severe drought, leading to water shortages.
eco-friendly (adjective):
Definition: Environmentally friendly or sustainable, causing minimal harm to the environment.
Example: Using eco-friendly products helps reduce environmental impact.
ecosystem (noun [c]):
Definition: A community of living things (like plants, animals, and insects) that interact and depend on each other to live .
Example: The coral reef is a diverse and fragile ecosystem that supports a wide range of marine life.
emissions (noun [pl]):
Definition: Gases that are released into the air, usually from things like cars, factories, or power plants.
Example: The factory reduced its carbon emissions by implementing cleaner technology.
endangered (adjective):
Definition: When a species is close to disappearing from the planet.
Example: The number of endangered species is continually increasing as large areas of forest are cut down.
energy consumption (noun phrase):
Definition: The amount of energy that is used or consumed by people or machines.
Example: Energy-saving measures can significantly reduce household energy consumption.
exhaust fumes (noun phrase):
Definition: Emissions produced from burning fuel.
Example: The exhaust fumes from cars contribute to air pollution and can harm the environment.
extinction (noun [u]):
Definition: The complete disappearance of a species.
Example: The rapid decline in the population of elephants is pushing them towards extinction.
fossil fuel (noun phrase):
Definition: Things like coal, oil, and gas that come from ancient plants and animals. We burn them to make energy.
Example: Coal, oil, and natural gas are examples of fossil fuels used for energy production.
habitat (noun [c]):
Definition: The natural environment where organisms live.
Example: The rainforest is the natural habitat for various species of monkeys and birds.
mitigate (verb):
Definition: To reduce the severity, intensity, or impact of a risk or problem.
Example: Planting trees helps mitigate the impact of carbon emissions on the environment.
natural resources (noun phrase):
Definition: Naturally occurring materials, such as minerals, or forests, that have economic or ecological value.
Example: Water and minerals are examples of valuable natural resources.
pollutant (noun [c]):
Definition: A harmful substance or contaminant in the environment.
Example: Carbon monoxide is a pollutant that can have detrimental effects on human health.
renewable (adjective):
Definition: Something that can be used but won't run out, like the sunshine, wind, or water.
Example: Solar power is a renewable energy source that harnesses energy from the sun.
smog (noun [u]):
Definition: A kind of pollution that happens when dirty air gets trapped near the ground.
Example: The city's air quality was poor due to smog, resulting from factory and vehicle emissions.
sustainable (adjective):
Definition: Able to be continued over the long term without causing environmental damage.
Example: The company implemented sustainable practices to minimise waste and conserve resources.
Listening Answer Key:
1. width, 2. energy, 3. raise, 4. ecology, 5. soil, 6. storms, 7. crop, 8. conservation, 9. forest, 10. reserves
Reading Answer Key:
1. growth 2. Extraction 3. inhospitable 4. habitats 5. trees 6. enforcement 7.exploiting
Vocabulary Answer Key:
Exercise 1: 1a, 2c, 3c, 4a, 5b
Exercise 2: 1. deforestation, 2. pollutants, 3. mitigate, 4. habitat, 5. eco-system, 6. renewable, 7. endangered, 8. Sustainable, 9. drought, 10. Biodiversity
Exercise 3: 1a, 2h, 3e, 4c, 5b, 6f, 7g, 8d