Practice English Reading Exercises for B2 – Climate Change Adaptation & Disasters 6

Exercises:   123456

Reading 1

You are going to read an article about four young adults sharing their guilt over wanting to have children in a world with unstable climate projections.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   mentions contemplating a different route to parenthood?

2   feels weighed down by the desires of their extended family?

3   found solace in discovering others who share their concerns?

4   admits to envying friends who seem untroubled by the situation?

5   dismisses the idea that future offspring should be responsible for repairing the planet?

6   considers fulfilling their desire for a biological child to be egotistical?

7   has chosen to delay their decision while they focus on making a difference?

8   is primarily concerned about the environmental strain a new human would place on the Earth?

9   struggles with a powerful natural urge that contradicts their rational fears?

10   is relieved that their partner shares their exact perspective on the matter?

To Parent or Not to Parent: The Climate Dilemma

A Mark

Ever since I was little, I took it for granted that I’d be a father one day. Now, at twenty-eight, my biological instinct to start a family is overwhelmingly strong, yet it constantly clashes with my rational anxiety about the future. Whenever I see parents playing with their toddlers in the local park, my heart aches. However, when I read the latest climate projections regarding severe droughts and resource scarcity, I can’t help but feel that having a biological child would be a highly egotistical act. How could I justify fulfilling my own desires when the world is becoming so unstable? It’s a bitter pill to swallow. Lately, I’ve been looking into adoption. Giving a home to a child who is already here feels like a more ethical compromise, though I haven’t entirely come to terms with letting go of my original dream. It’s a deeply frustrating internal battle.

B Sarah

My husband and I are under constant pressure from my parents, who are desperate for grandchildren. They keep reminding us that time is ticking, which makes me feel incredibly burdened. I desperately want to experience motherhood, but I’m terrified of what the coming decades will look like. Some people argue that we shouldn’t give up hope and that our children might be the very scientists or activists who figure out how to reverse global warming. Personally, I find that argument completely unfair. Why should we burden an innocent child with the monumental task of fixing a broken planet that our generation ruined? It’s simply not right to bring a life into this world just to draft them into an environmental war. Every time I try to explain this to my parents, they accuse me of being overly pessimistic, which just leaves me feeling more misunderstood.

C David

For me, the guilt stems directly from the undeniable data. I’ve always tried to live sustainably—I cycle everywhere, eat a plant-based diet, and recycle religiously. But the harsh reality is that bringing another human being into the world would instantly multiply my carbon footprint. The sheer amount of emissions generated by one person over a lifetime is staggering. For a long time, I felt like I was the only one obsessing over these numbers, which was incredibly isolating. Fortunately, a few months ago, I stumbled upon an online forum for eco-anxious prospective parents. Reading their posts and realising I wasn’t crazy brought me immense comfort. What’s even better is that my fiancée is entirely on the same wavelength. We frequently discuss our fears without any judgment. We haven’t made a final choice yet, but knowing we are tackling this dilemma as a united front makes the anxiety much easier to handle.

D Elena

It seems like every time I log onto social media, another one of my peers is joyfully announcing a pregnancy. I honestly wish I could share their unclouded happiness, and I must confess to feeling a twinge of jealousy that they can dive into parenthood without agonizing over rising sea levels or failing ecosystems. I just can’t turn a blind eye to the grim forecasts. The guilt of potentially subjecting a child to a world of climate chaos is paralyzing. Because of this, my partner and I have agreed to put our plans on ice for the time being. We’ve decided to throw ourselves into local environmental campaigns instead. By fighting for stronger climate policies now, we hope to help build a safer future first. If we can see genuine political change in the next five years, we might reconsider. Until then, activism has to be our priority.

Reading 2

You are going to read an article about four people discussing the financial devastation caused to local farmers whose entire yearly crops were destroyed by bizarre, out-of-season hailstorms.

For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

1   mentions the necessity for shoppers to accept higher prices to assist growers?

2   feels pessimistic about the speed of official financial assistance?

3   suggests that farmers should consider cultivating different types of produce?

4   highlights the negative impact on businesses that rely on the farmers’ harvests?

5   points out that protective measures are currently too expensive for the growers?

6   expresses concern over the mental well-being of those working in agriculture?

7   admits that their own livelihood has been severely compromised by the weather event?

8   states that the extreme weather is indicative of broader environmental changes?

9   explains how they were forced to source products from further away?

10   regrets the lack of a financial safety net to cover the damages?

After the Storm: The Cost of Ruined Harvests

A Arthur, a local farmer

The sky turned an unnatural shade of green just before the heavens opened. Within ten minutes, golf-ball-sized hail had battered our apple orchards, leaving the trees completely stripped. Having dedicated a whole year to nurturing these crops, seeing our sole source of revenue wiped out in minutes was utterly devastating. I’m honestly kicking myself for not taking out comprehensive weather insurance; I had always assumed the premiums were a waste of money, but now we have no safety net whatsoever. There is talk of emergency government grants, but frankly, I’m not holding my breath. Bureaucracy means those funds usually take ages to process, and we have bills to pay right now. It is going to take a miracle to bounce back from this, and I know several neighbours who are already considering selling up entirely.

B Beatrice, a local greengrocer

People tend to assume that only the farmers suffer when a freak storm hits, but the knock-on effect is disastrous for the whole community. Shops like mine are struggling to stay afloat because the local supply chain has completely collapsed. Usually, at this time of year, my shelves are groaning with fresh, regional produce. Following the hailstorm, however, I’ve had no choice but to bring in fruit and vegetables from overseas just to keep the business running. Obviously, importing goods incurs steep transport costs, which drastically eats into my profit margins. Some customers have complained about the sudden price hikes, but they don’t realise my hands are tied. Although my own shop is fully insured against structural storm damage, there is no policy that covers a total loss of local suppliers. It’s a terrifying situation for the local economy.

C Carlos, an agricultural consultant

What we witnessed last week is no longer an isolated incident; it is a clear symptom of shifting global climate patterns. As an advisor to rural enterprises, I have been warning for years that bizarre, out-of-season weather is the new normal. To survive, agriculture must adapt. Some growers are looking into installing anti-hail netting, which is highly effective. However, it requires massive capital investment, and given the current financial ruin many find themselves in, such infrastructure is completely out of the question right now. Instead, I am strongly urging my clients to transition to alternative, hardier varieties of crops. While these might yield slightly lower market returns than their traditional counterparts, they are much more likely to withstand sudden temperature drops and severe precipitation. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but holding on to outdated farming habits is a recipe for bankruptcy.

D Diana, the local mayor

My primary focus right now is dealing with the fallout of this unprecedented disaster. The council has immediately set up an emergency relief fund to provide basic living expenses for the affected farm workers, as their incomes have vanished overnight. Beyond the immediate economic crisis, I am deeply troubled by the psychological strain on these families; the stress of losing a year’s hard work is taking a heavy toll on their mental health. We are organising counselling services to help them come to terms with the catastrophe. Ultimately, however, the survival of our agricultural heritage depends on the wider public. Consumers must be willing to pay a premium for locally sourced food once the farms recover. If buyers continue to demand rock-bottom prices at supermarkets, our farmers will never be able to rebuild their livelihoods or invest in the necessary protective equipment for the future.

Exercises:   123456