Effects of changes in world population
Read Effects of changes in world population and check the IELTS Reading answers. Human fertility rates around the world are dropping for a variety of complex reasons. While the population itself continues to increase, the rate of increase is slowing, and sometime in the next 80 years, world populat…
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Human fertility rates around the world are dropping for a variety of complex reasons. While the population itself continues to increase, the rate of increase is slowing, and sometime in the next 80 years, world population will peak somewhere in the vicinity of nine billion before contracting. That raises an important question: is population contraction a bad thing? Some think not. There is a school of thought that argues that smaller populations are good. Population control proponents claim variously that (1) we do not have the food to sustain higher populations; (2) our planet already suffers from overcrowding; (3) the environmental impact of increased populations will bring catastrophe either through pollution or consumption of finite natural resources; or in contrast, they argue decreased populations will lead to higher wages and a better quality of life as available supplies exceed reduced demands. These arguments seem reasonable at first, but do not withstand scrutiny.
Vocabulary from this passage
14 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- arid adjective
Being without moisture; extremely dry; parched, often referring to a climate or land
The arid desert conditions posed significant challenges for the survival of the indigenous flora.
- circumstantial evidence noun
Evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact
The prosecution relied heavily on circumstantial evidence to build their case against the defendant.
- commission verb
To authorize or order the production, creation, or undertaking of a project or task
The government commissioned an independent study to evaluate the environmental impact of the new dam.
- demise noun
The termination of existence or operation; death or downfall
The gradual erosion of traditional values contributed to the demise of the local culture.
- deplete verb
To decrease seriously or exhaust the abundance or supply of something
The extensive use of fossil fuels continues to deplete the earth's natural resources.
- ecological equivalent noun
Species that occupy similar ecological niches in different geographical regions
The sugar glider of Australia is often considered an ecological equivalent to the flying squirrel of North America.
- hazardous adjective
Involving risk or danger, particularly to health or safety, often used in scientific or environmental contexts
The disposal of chemical waste poses hazardous conditions for the local ecosystem.
- profound impact noun
A deep, intense, or significant effect or influence on someone or something
The industrial revolution had a profound impact on global economic structures.
- remnant noun
A remaining, usually small part, quantity, number, or the like; a fragment or scrap
The ancient ruins were the only remnant of a once-thriving civilization.
- spirit of adventure noun
A strong desire or willingness to engage in new, exciting, and sometimes risky experiences
The early pioneers were driven by a spirit of adventure that led them to explore unknown territories.
- subsequent adjective
Occurring or coming later or after something else; following in time or order
The subsequent analysis of the data revealed previously unnoticed patterns.
- traverse verb
To pass or move over, along, or through, especially across a difficult or extensive terrain
The explorers meticulously planned their expedition to traverse the uncharted mountain range.
- vicinity noun
The area or region near or about a place; proximity
The geological survey indicated a high probability of mineral deposits in the vicinity of the extinct volcano.
- withstand scrutiny verb phrase
To remain valid, sound, or defensible even after close examination or critical evaluation
The researcher's hypothesis failed to withstand scrutiny when subjected to peer review.
Answers with explanations
- 14. iii
**Paragraph A** explores the debate around whether a falling population is a negative trend or a positive one, explicitly asking "is population contraction a bad thing?" This perfectly aligns with heading **iii**: "Would population decline benefit the world?"
- 15. i
**Paragraph B** is entirely dedicated to the topic of food supply, addressing historical fears of "mass starvation" and famines versus the modern reality of increased food availability. This accurately corresponds to heading **i**: "Do we have sufficient resources to feed the human population?"
- 16. vi
**Paragraph C** argues that overcrowding is not a symptom of overpopulation, but rather a result of rural-to-urban relocation. It focuses on the consequences of this "massive migration." Heading **vi**, "What is the impact of population movement?", accurately summarizes this focus on the effects of people migrating.
- 17. ii
**Paragraph D** examines environmental fears, specifically focusing on the anxiety that we will "surely deplete" the planet's "finite amounts of natural resources." This matches the question posed in heading **ii**: "Will population increase pose disaster for our supply of raw materials?"
- 18. v
**Paragraph E** shifts the discussion to the economy, analyzing whether a growing population boosts or harms production. The paragraph concludes that population increases lead to "increased per capita production" (productivity). Heading **v**, "Is population decrease good for productivity?", perfectly aligns with this economic analysis.
- 19. vii
**Paragraph F** analyzes "two historical examples" of population drops (after 400 BC and during the Black Death) to predict the future. It uses these past events to show that depopulation leads to "backward economies." This links perfectly with heading **vii**: "What can past events tell us about the effects of population decline?"
- 20. surplus
The text confirms that **Boserup's ideas** are true in reality, showing that while "some areas of the world may lack sufficient supplies" (**some areas don’t have enough**), the world globally has an "overall surplus." The missing noun needed for the completion is **surplus**.
- 21. innovation
Reflecting on economists' fears from "more than 100 years ago" about exhausting natural resources, the passage notes that "innovation stepped in to provide greater efficiency." Since greater efficiency means a **more efficient use of resources**, the noun responsible for this change is **innovation**.
- 22. prosperity
The passage quotes **Adam Smith**, who stated that an "increase of the number of its inhabitants" (**growth in population**) is the most decisive mark of a country's "prosperity." The missing noun to complete the sentence is **prosperity**.
- 23-24: AE
The writer argues that Paul Ehrlich's predictions of starvation were wrong and that "the availability of food has greatly increased", supporting option **A**. Additionally, in Paragraph C, the writer confirms that "people who used to live in the rural areas have relocated to cities", supporting option **E**. The other choices are unsupported or contradicted.
- 25-26: CE
Looking at the future effects of population decline, the writer claims that "Innovation will suffer", which aligns with option **C** (a decrease in new ideas). The writer also claims that "economies will probably contract", matching option **E** (economies becoming smaller).