Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 490
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 490 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 490
READING PASSAGE – 1
Glaciers
Glaciers account for approximately ten per cent of the entire Earth’s surface, yet they are diminishing at an unprecedented rate. These massive areas of ice form partially or mostly on land, when snow piles up each year and, due to the continual accumulation, becomes compressed. As fresh snow falls, the layers of compressed snow grow until eventually, when they have reached approximately 50 metres in depth, all the layers fuse into one huge mass of solid ice. The sheer weight of the mass forces it to move, and evidence of this movement means that the mass of ice can be designated as a glacier. Glaciers or glacial activity can be found on every continent except Australia.
There are, however, two major categories of glacier, with distinctions between them. Continental glaciers are mostly found at the polar regions of the Earth – large swathes of Greenland and Antarctica are continental glaciers. In fact, almost 98 per cent of Antarctica is covered in ice and in Greenland, the ice covers around 80 per cent of the land.
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As these glaciers are often much larger in scale than others, they are frequently termed ice sheets, especially if their area is more than 50,000km2. Ice sheets are characterised by a domed appearance and do not move in a downward direction. Due to their shape, continental glaciers move, rather like a liquid, in all horizontal directions, emanating from the centre of the glacier. They cover everything which may lay in their path, from mountains to valleys and can be extremely destructive.
Alpine glaciers, on the other hand, are typically smaller than continental glaciers and mainly form in mountainous regions. Ideal conditions for these glaciers to form include a high altitude as well as cold enough temperatures for the ice to compact. Alpine glaciers often carve jagged shapes into the sides of mountains as they descend, and unlike continental glaciers, move in a downward direction.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
This is due to the sheer weight of the ice and gravity pushing them down. On occasions, the movement of this type of glacier can create valleys or even increase the depth of existing valleys. As the glaciers move, they push dirt and soil out of their way, so it is not uncommon to find rock debris in the ice, as well as ice crystals, air, and water. Some of the rocks that can be moved by glaciers may be as large as a house.
Glaciers account for approximately 200,000km2 of Canada’s territory, making it one of the most glacially rich countries in the world. One of the most accessible glaciers is the Athabasca Glacier, which can be found in the Canadian Rockies and is a part of the Columbia Ice Field. Although this is a substantial ice field at 230km2, it is not the largest in the country. The glaciers here, like many others, form U-shaped valleys as they traverse down the mountain sides, and although this may take the glacier around 100,000 years, it is still much quicker than a river creating a V-shaped valley which takes millions of years.
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The Athabasca Glacier has taken the same route as other glaciers and formed a wide U-shaped valley between two mountains on either side of it. Scientists have shown that this glacier is retreating and has been doing so since about 1840. Around that time, the Athabasca Glacier measured approximately 8km in length, although more recent measurements of the glacier’s current length put the figure at about 6km. It is now estimated that the glacier is losing between 10 and 25 metres each year. Unfortunately, it is not only the Athabasca Glacier that scientists are worried about.
Scientists have predicted that by 2100, the Canadian provinces of Alberta and British Columbia will have lost around 70 per cent of their glaciers, and this is a trend that is not only affecting Canada. Glaciers all over the world, including those in the US and the ice sheet in Greenland, are receding at a faster rate than thought 50 years ago. This is mainly due to increasing temperatures as a result of climate change. Because of these higher temperatures, glaciers are unable to replenish their ice stocks, as much more ice melts than is formed.
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This could have calamitous effects. If the loss in Greenland is sustained, this would mean that by 2100, sea levels will have risen by 67 centimetres. This will lead to 400 million people being at risk of flooding each year. In addition to the sea level rise, the ocean currents will change, leading to more intense coastal storms. These will adversely affect coastal businesses such as fisheries, which could have a devastating effect on the global economy. However, these are not the only problems we face if glaciers continue to melt at their current rate.
Glaciers are made of freshwater and when the glacier melts and the freshwater enters the oceans, it can cause huge changes to the ocean ecosystems. For example, some species of coral rely on salt water to survive, and if freshwater replaces the salt water, then it is likely that these corals will be unable to cope with the change and will die out. This would also mean that the freshwater available on land also decreases, resulting in a possible lack of water for some plants and animals.
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In order to help combat glacial melting, it is important to look at the ways in which energy sources are produced. An exploration into how alternative energies can be used could open the door to new possibilities. Indeed, fossil fuel usage could be abandoned in favour of more ecologically friendly alternatives, but this might come up against opposition, especially since the trade in fossil fuels is a lucrative business.
Questions 1-8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? In boxes 1-8 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
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1. The current rate of glacial reduction is similar to previous rates.
2. Glaciers consist of layers of pressed ice.
3. The scientific classification of glaciers has changed over time.
4. Continental glaciers can only be found in one location.
5. Continental glaciers tend to have a sloping appearance.
6. For alpine glaciers to form, a temperature lower than freezing must occur.
7. Alpine glaciers move differently than ice sheets.
8. The Columbia Ice Field is the biggest example of its kind in Canada.
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Questions 9-12
Complete the summary using the list of words, A-1, below.
Write the correct letter, A-1, in boxes 9-12 on your answer sheet.
Glacial melting
The Athabasca Glacier in Alberta, Canada, has been retreating at a 9……………. of between 10 to 25 metres each year, and this is reflected in other glaciers found around the world. It is predicted that around 70 per cent of the 10……………. of ice in this part of the country will have disappeared by 2100. Due to climate change, sea levels will begin to increase causing catastrophic damage to 11……………. and coastal areas. Local companies may also be affected by glacial melting. Freshwater entering oceans may cause certain species to become extinct as well as causing 12……………. animals to face water shortages.
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A. speed
B. size
C. riverbanks
D. land
E. height
F. mass
G. cube
H. shorelines
I. water
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Question 13
Choose the correct letter, A, B, C or D.
13. In the final paragraph, the writer suggests that
A. governments do not accept that climate change is a serious matter.
B. more environmentally friendly energy sources will replace fossil fuels.
C. methods of energy production should be examined more closely.
D. reducing fossil fuel usage is better than banning it completely.
IELTS Academic Reading Test
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. FALSE
2. TRUE
3. NOT GIVEN
4. FALSE
5. TRUE
6. NOT GIVEN
7. TRUE
8. FALSE
9. A
10. F
11. H
12. D
13. C
IELTS Academic Reading Test