Climate Change - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Road to IELTS Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Climate change
HUMAN FACTORS
- Cutting down trees for 31
- Industrial Revolution
- 32
- Increase in population → deforestation
KNOWN EFFECTS
- Over previous 130 yrs: temp. ↗ by 0.6 ° C
- Since Ind. Rev.: CO2 ↗ by 30% & Methane ↗ by 33 (from mining, animals, rice paddies)
- N2O ↗ (from 34 esp. fertiliser; waste management; car exhausts)
- Greenhouse Effect: gases form 35 → heat trapped → Earth warms up
FUTURE EFFECTS
- Rise in sea levels ← ice melting
Sea level Number of people at risk 1998 levels 36 +50 cm 92 million +1 metre 37 - Change in 38 → more arid areas → population movement to cities
- Increase in pests and 39 e.g. malaria
- Change in ecosystems: *shift in 40 – some die, others multiply
*deserts get hotter & bigger
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | fuel | trees were cut down to provide fuel for fires | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in the past, people cut down trees because they needed wood to use as fuel for their fires. Answer Explanation: The answer is the material (like wood or coal) used to make fire or power, which in this case came from cutting down trees. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'fuel' because the speaker mentions that at the beginning, humans cut down trees to have things to burn for fires. The notes ask why trees were cut down, and the lecture explicitly says they were cut for fuel. |
| Q32 | combustion engine | A major contributor was the advent of the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century, combined with the invention of the combustion engine | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the start of the Industrial Revolution and the creation of the combustion engine were both huge reasons for the changes in our climate. Answer Explanation: The answer "combustion engine" refers to a machine that burns fuel to produce power, which was a key invention contributing to climate change. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified as a major human factor affecting the climate. The lecturer explains that the Industrial Revolution, along with the invention of the "combustion engine," led to more fossil fuels being burned and more carbon dioxide entering the air. These two events are presented together as significant causes in the history of human impact on the environment. |
| Q33 | 145% / 145 percent | Carbon dioxide concentrations have climbed by 30% and methane levels have increased by 145% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while carbon dioxide went up by 30%, the amount of methane grew by 145% during the same time period. Answer Explanation: The answer 145% is the amount that methane levels have grown by since the Industrial Revolution began. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the part of the talk where the speaker compares the rise in different gases. The speaker mentions that since the start of the Industrial Revolution, carbon dioxide went up by 30 percent and then clearly states that methane levels have increased by 145 percent. This matches the note asking for the percentage of methane increase. |
| Q34 | agriculture | Nitrous oxide, or N2O, comes from natural sources – wet tropical forests, for instance – but it is also produced by human-related activities such as agriculture, which uses synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, rubbish disposal systems and vehicle emissions | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while N2O comes from nature, it is also made by humans through farming, trash systems, and cars. Answer Explanation: The answer is farming, which is one of the human activities that increases the amount of nitrous oxide gas in the air. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is agriculture because the lecturer identifies it as a human-related activity that produces nitrous oxide (N2O). The notes specifically mention fertilizers, and the speaker explains that agriculture is the activity that uses these synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. |
| Q35 | a barrier / barrier | However, these gases (CO2 and methane) create a barrier in the atmosphere which prevents a proportion of the sun’s rays from being reflected back into space – and, instead, the gases become trapped in the atmosphere | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that carbon dioxide and methane make a wall or 'barrier' in the sky. This wall stops the sun's energy from leaving the Earth, which means the energy stays in the atmosphere and warms the planet. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'barrier,' which refers to a structure or layer that acts as a wall or block to stop things from moving through. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'barrier' because the lecturer uses this word to describe how greenhouse gases (like carbon dioxide and methane) behave in the atmosphere. These gases form a layer that acts like a block, preventing the sun's heat from escaping back into space. This direct connection explains why the heat remains trapped and causes the Earth to warm up, fitting the sequence described in the notes. |
| Q36 | 46 million | In 1998, it was reported that 46 million people lived in areas at risk of flooding and the number of people at risk will increase significantly if sea levels rise |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that during the year 1998, 46 million people were living in spots where the water level could rise and cause floods. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific number of individuals—46,000,000—who lived in places where flooding was a danger in 1998. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the data provided for sea-level risks. The lecturer states that in 1998, 46 million people were at risk of flooding. This figure corresponds directly to the '1998 levels' category in the notes' table. |
| Q37 | 118 million | Further projections would see a rise of one metre put 118 million people in danger of losing their homes and livelihoods – not to mention the loss of prime, fertile farmland | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that if the sea level goes up by one metre, 118 million people could lose their homes and their ways of making a living. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number of people whose homes and jobs will be at risk if sea levels rise by one metre. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 118 million because the lecturer explains that scientists have calculated how many people will be in danger based on different sea-level rises. Specifically, the transcript notes that a one-metre increase would affect 118 million people. |
| Q38 | vegetation zones | Secondly, there would be a modification of vegetation zones with changes in the boundaries between grassland, shrub land, forest and desert. This is already causing famine in arid areas of north-eastern Africa, and has instigated – and will continue to instigate – mass movements of people away from dry regions | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the way plant areas are spread out will change. This is already making some places very dry and is forcing many people to leave those dry areas to move elsewhere. Answer Explanation: The answer "vegetation zones" means the different regions on Earth defined by the types of plants that grow there, like forests, grasslands, or deserts. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "vegetation zones" because the lecturer lists this as a major future effect of climate change. He explains that these areas will be modified, leading to shifts between types of land like grassland and desert. This link explains the creation of "more arid areas" (dry regions) and the "population movement" (mass movements of people) mentioned in the lecture notes. |
| Q39 | certain diseases / diseases / certain disease / disease | Another potentially disastrous effect of climate change is an increase in the range and distribution of pests which could bring about an increase in the prevalence of certain diseases | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when pests move to new areas, the number of cases of specific sicknesses will also grow. Answer Explanation: The answer means that more illnesses or sicknesses will happen among people because of climate change. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the lecture's section about the dangerous effects of climate change. The speaker explains that as temperatures go up, pests (like insects) will move to more areas, which leads to a higher occurrence of 'certain diseases,' such as malaria. |
| Q40 | species composition | Global warming will influence species composition – for both fauna and flora – such that some animal species will disappear and others will multiply; and it’ll be the same for plants and trees | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that global warming changes the mix of plants and animals (fauna and flora) in nature. It says that while some groups will be lost, others will grow much larger. Answer Explanation: The answer 'species composition' refers to the group of different animals and plants that live together in a specific environment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'species composition' because the lecture states that global warming will 'influence' (meaning a 'shift' or change) the variety of living things. It explains that this means certain types of animals and plants will 'disappear' (another way to say they 'die' out), while other types will 'multiply' (meaning their numbers will increase). |
Transcript
Section 4
You will hear a lecture on climate change. First you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
[20 seconds]
Listen carefully and answer questions 31 to 40.
This lecture in Environmental Studies is on the topic of human influence on climate change. First, I’ll outline some of the factors affecting climate, then go on to discuss what has already occurred, and finish up by speculating on the effects.
Previously, we’ve covered how factors such as ocean currents and prevailing winds affect climate change naturally. However, the influence of human activity on climate is what I’ll talk about today. At first, the effect on the climate was relatively small; trees were cut down to provide fuel for fires, and, as we know, trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen so the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would have increased – but not noticeably.
So, in what ways has human activity really impacted on the climate? A major contributor was the advent of the Industrial Revolution at the end of the 18th century, combined with the invention of the combustion engine. In addition, Earth’s burgeoning population has had a marked effect on climate. The first two factors saw increased amounts of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil. The final one, human expansion, has resulted in deforestation on such a scale that the extra carbon dioxide in the air cannot be soaked up and converted into oxygen by the remaining trees.
Okay – so what has already happened? Well, global temperatures have risen by 0.6 degrees Celsius in the last 130 years. Levels of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide gases have escalated. Carbon dioxide concentrations have climbed by 30% and methane levels have increased by 145% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Gas produced by fossil fuel extraction, livestock and paddy fields is primarily responsible for the growth of methane levels. Nitrous oxide, or N2O, comes from natural sources – wet tropical forests, for instance – but it is also produced by human-related activities such as agriculture, which uses synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, rubbish disposal systems and vehicle emissions.
How do gases like carbon dioxide and methane affect the climate? Well, this is what we call the Greenhouse Effect. Under normal conditions, the sun’s rays hit the earth and some are reflected back into space. However, these gases (CO2 and methane) create a barrier in the atmosphere which prevents a proportion of the sun’s rays from being reflected back into space – and, instead, the gases become trapped in the atmosphere. It’s simple really – because the sun’s rays can’t escape, the Earth heats up.
What are the possible effects? Firstly, a rise in sea levels: we already know that the Arctic ice cap has melted and shrunk considerably and great chunks of ice have been lost from Antarctica. In 1998, it was reported that 46 million people lived in areas at risk of flooding … and the number of people at risk will increase significantly if sea levels rise. It is estimated that a rise of only 50 centimetres would put that number at 92 million. Further projections would see a rise of one metre put 118 million people in danger of losing their homes and livelihoods – not to mention the loss of prime, fertile farmland. Experts predict a rise of at least 50 centimetres over the next 50 years or so.
Secondly, there would be a modification of vegetation zones with changes in the boundaries between grassland, shrub land, forest and desert. This is already causing famine in arid areas of north-eastern Africa, and has instigated – and will continue to instigate – mass movements of people away from dry regions. What we are seeing now is only the first stage, with temporary camps for climate refugees already at overcapacity; in the future, there will be significant migration resulting in extreme overcrowding of towns and cities.
Another potentially disastrous effect of climate change is an increase in the range and distribution of pests which could bring about an increase in the prevalence of certain diseases. If we think of the malaria-carrying mosquito, for example, which thrives in warmer regions – at the moment, about 45% of the world’s population is exposed to malaria – but with an increase in temperature, there will be many millions more cases of malaria a year.
The last effect I’m going to mention today is the change in ecosystems. Global warming will influence species composition – for both fauna and flora – such that some animal species will disappear and others will multiply; and it’ll be the same for plants and trees. It is predicted that around two-thirds of the world’s forests will undergo major changes of some kind. Scientists also expect deserts will become hotter and, of course, desertification will continue at an increasingly worrying rate and will become harder, if not impossible, to reverse.
What can we do to stop the process? Well, that’s the subject of next week’s lecture – so I hope to see you all there.
Narrator:
That is the end of section 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
[30 seconds]
That is the end of the listening test. You now have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the listening answer sheet.