Desertification - TOEFL Reading Practice Test

In the TOEFL Reading section, you'll encounter a variety of passages designed to test your understanding of complex issues. Topics like 'Desertification' appear to challenge you to analyze and comprehend environmental themes.

Practicing these passages helps you develop the skills needed to understand nuanced topics efficiently. The more familiar you become with diverse subjects, the better you’ll navigate the reading test and identify key details quickly.

Reading Instructions: 

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question.
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1

Desertification is a big environmental issue that happens when land in dry areas gets damaged. This can happen due to climate changes and human actions, leading to a drop in how well the land can support life. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) describes it as the ongoing damage of dry environments, mostly caused by human activities like cutting down trees, overgrazing, and bad farming practices. Historical data shows that around 1.5 billion people live in areas affected by desertification, with the worst effects seen in places like the Sahel in Africa and parts of Central Asia. Because of this, millions are facing food shortages, loss of jobs, and moving, making desertification a serious global problem that needs urgent attention.

Factual Information Question

1. According to paragraph 1, what are some human activities that contribute to desertification?
   
   1. Cutting down trees
   2. Overgrazing
   3. Bad farming practices
   4. All of the above

Negative Factual Information Question

1. The author mentions all of the following as consequences of desertification EXCEPT:
   
   1. Food shortages
   2. Increased job opportunities
   3. Population displacement
   4.  Loss of jobs

Paragraph 2

One of the main causes of desertification is climate change, which makes existing problems in dry areas worse. Higher global temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can lead to longer droughts, drying out the soil and hurting plant growth. For instance, the Sahel has seen major climate changes over the last few decades, with average temperatures rising by about 1.5 degrees Celsius since the 1970s. Studies show that these climate changes can create a cycle where land damage releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, further fueling climate change. This link between climate change and desertification presents a huge challenge for long-lasting development, threatening not just environments but also the livelihoods of millions.

Inference Question

1. What can be inferred from paragraph 2 about the relationship between climate change and desertification?
   
   1. Climate change has no effect on desertification.
   2. Climate change exacerbates the effects of desertification.
   3. Desertification leads to climate change.
   4. Climate change only affects plant growth.

Paragraph 3

Human actions also speed up desertification. Bad farming practices, like growing only one crop and using too many chemical fertilizers, can drain soil nutrients and cause erosion. Overgrazing by livestock makes things worse because it removes the plants that protect the soil from wind and water erosion. In areas like the Middle East, where raising animals is common, the demand for land has grown due to population increases and urban growth. For instance, in Iran, overgrazing has led to about 80% of rangelands being damaged. This makes the land more barren, reducing agricultural output and threatening the livelihoods of local communities.

Rhetorical Purpose Question

1. Why does the author provide the example of Iran in paragraph 3?
   
   1. To illustrate the effects of urban growth on desertification
   2. To highlight the impact of overgrazing on rangelands
   3. To show the benefits of bad farming practices
   4. To discuss the population growth in the Middle East

Paragraph 4

The effects of desertification go beyond just harming the environment; they also have serious social and economic impacts. As fertile land becomes useless, people have to move to find better opportunities, which leads to overcrowded cities and more competition for resources. This is especially noticeable in places like the Horn of Africa, where long droughts and land damage have caused many people to be displaced. Also, losing good farmland can worsen food insecurity, leading to poor nutrition and health problems among at-risk groups. The link between desertification and social issues highlights the need for combined solutions to tackle this complex problem, as ignoring it could lead to more conflicts over scarce resources.

Vocabulary Question

1. In paragraph 4, what does the term "food insecurity" mean?
   
   1. lack of access to sufficient food
   2. An abundance of food resources
   3. The ability to grow crops
   4.  A surplus of agricultural products

Paragraph 5

Several strategies have been suggested to fight desertification, focusing on long-lasting land management. For instance, mixed farming, which combines agriculture and forestry, can improve soil health and reduce erosion while giving farmers more income options. Also, using water-saving methods like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation can make water more available in dry areas. International projects, like the Great Green Wall in Africa, aim to restore damaged land by creating green corridors across the Sahel. This project, which started in 2007, seeks to fight desertification while boosting the variety of life and improving local livelihoods. These efforts not only help restore the environment but also strengthen communities affected by desertification.

Sentence Simplification Question

1. Which of the following sentences best expresses the essential information in the following text from paragraph 5?
   

   "Several strategies have been suggested to fight desertification, focusing on long-lasting land management."

   1. Strategies to combat desertification aim for sustainable land use.
   2. Fighting desertification requires immediate action.
   3. Long-lasting land management is unnecessary for desertification.
   4. Strategies for desertification are only focused on agriculture.

Paragraph 6

In conclusion, desertification is a major challenge that connects environmental, social, and economic issues. The complex relationship between climate change and human activities requires a clear understanding of what causes land damage. As the global population keeps growing and climate change impacts worsen, tackling desertification becomes even more critical. Working together at local, national, and international levels is vital to implement long-lasting land management and restore damaged ecosystems. There are still questions about how effective current strategies will be in the long run and if new solutions can be found. Ultimately, fighting desertification is not just an environmental issue; its crucial for ensuring food security, economic stability, and social fairness for future generations.

Purpose of the Passage Question

1. What is the main purpose of paragraph 6?
   
   1. To summarise the causes of desertification
   2. To highlight the importance of addressing desertification
   3. To discuss the history of desertification
   4.  To explain the effects of climate change

Insert Missing Sentence Question

1. In paragraph 5, there is a missing sentence. The paragraph is repeated below and shows four letters (A, B, C, and D) that indicate where the following sentence could be added.
   

   "These strategies aim to create a more sustainable future for affected communities."
   

   Where would the sentence best fit?

   Several strategies have been suggested to fight desertification, focusing on long-lasting land management. (A) For instance, mixed farming, which combines agriculture and forestry, can improve soil health and reduce erosion while giving farmers more income options. (B) Also, using water-saving methods like rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation can make water more available in dry areas. (C) International projects, like the Great Green Wall in Africa, aim to restore damaged land by creating green corridors across the Sahel. (D) This project, which started in 2007, seeks to fight desertification while boosting the variety of life and improving local livelihoods.

Prose Summary Question

1. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

   Desertification is a significant global issue that affects both the environment and human societies.

   Answer Choices

   1. Climate change and human actions are major contributors to desertification.
   2. Desertification only affects rural communities and not urban areas.
   3. Strategies such as mixed farming and water-saving methods can help combat desertification.
   4. The effects of desertification include food insecurity and population displacement.

Prose Summary Question

1. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

   Desertification is a complex problem that requires immediate action and collaboration to address.

   Answer Choices

   1. The relationship between climate change and desertification poses challenges for sustainable development.
   2. Most countries have already successfully implemented solutions to combat desertification.
   3. Millions of people are affected by desertification, leading to social and economic instability.
   4. Efforts to combat desertification must consider environmental, social, and economic factors.

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Desertification

1. Answer: D

Explanation: Paragraph 1 explicitly lists several human activities that contribute to desertification, including cutting down trees, overgrazing, and bad farming practices. Since all these activities are mentioned, option D, which encompasses all of them, is the correct choice.

2. Answer: B

Explanation: The passage discusses various negative consequences of desertification, such as food shortages, loss of jobs, and population displacement. However, it does not mention increased job opportunities, making option B the correct answer as it is the only positive outcome not associated with desertification.

3. Answer: B

Explanation: Paragraph 2 explains that climate change worsens existing problems in dry areas, leading to longer droughts and soil degradation. This indicates that climate change does not merely coexist with desertification but actively worsens its effects, supporting option B.

4. Answer: B

Explanation: The example of Iran is used to illustrate the severe consequences of overgrazing, specifically noting that about 80% of rangelands have been damaged. This directly supports option B, as it focuses on the detrimental effects of overgrazing.

5. Answer: A

Explanation: The term "food insecurity" refers to the situation where individuals do not have reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. This aligns with option A, making it the correct definition in the context of the passage.

6. Answer: A

Explanation: The original sentence discusses strategies for fighting desertification with a focus on long-lasting land management. Option A succinctly captures this idea by emphasising the goal of sustainable land use, making it the best choice.

7. Answer: B

Explanation: Paragraph 6 summarises the challenges posed by desertification and stresses the need for urgent action to address it. This aligns with option B, which focuses on the importance of tackling the issue.

8. Answer: A

Explanation: The missing sentence, "These strategies aim to create a more sustainable future for affected communities," fits best at the beginning of paragraph 5 (option A). It sets the context for the strategies that follow, which are aimed at sustainability.

9. Answer Choices: A, C and D

Explanation: Options A, C, and D encapsulate the key themes of the passage: the causes of desertification, potential strategies to combat it, and its significant effects on society. Option B is incorrect as it inaccurately states that desertification only affects rural communities, which is not supported by the passage.

10. Answer Choices: A, C and D. 

Explanation: A is correct because the passage discusses the link between climate change and desertification, highlighting the challenges this relationship poses for sustainable development.

C is correct as it emphasizes the significant impact of desertification on millions of people, which leads to social and economic instability.

D is also correct because the passage indicates that combating desertification requires an integrated approach that addresses environmental, social, and economic factors.

B is incorrect since the passage does not state that most countries have successfully implemented solutions; instead, it discusses ongoing challenges and the need for collaboration to develop effective strategies.

Studying passages on topics like 'Desertification' equips you with valuable TOEFL Reading skills. Engaging with diverse subjects regularly will boost your analytical skills, making you better prepared for the exam’s rigorous reading demands.

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