IELTS Reading Sample PDF With Answers – Free Download & Practice

Paragraph A: The global energy sector is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation, shifting from reliance on **fossil fuels** (coal, oil, and natural gas) towards **renewable energy sources** (solar, wind, and geothermal). This transition is primarily necessitated by the irrefutable evidence linking fossil fuel combustion to **climate change and air pollution**, which carries enormous environmental and public health costs. While fossil fuels offer high energy density and are historically cheap to extract, their use releases greenhouse gases, creating a **societal burden** that is **external to their market price**. This realization forms the economic and ethical imperative behind the global shift.

Paragraph B: A key comparison between the two energy paradigms lies in their operational characteristics. Fossil fuel power plants are generally characterized by **dispatchability**, meaning they can be switched on and off relatively quickly and reliably to meet fluctuations in demand. Renewables, however, often suffer from **intermittency**; solar power only generates during the day, and wind power relies on atmospheric conditions. This necessitates the development of sophisticated **grid management systems** and, crucially, large-scale, cost-effective energy **storage solutions**, such as advanced batteries or pumped hydro. Consequently, the high **capital costs** of building renewable infrastructure are counterbalanced by their **near-zero operational fuel costs** and minimal environmental footprint.

Paragraph C: The **geopolitical landscape** is also being redrawn by this energy transition. For decades, global politics has been dominated by nations possessing large **hydrocarbon reserves**. The move to renewables fundamentally changes this dynamic, as energy generation capability shifts from resource-rich nations to those with **technological superiority** and sufficient **surface area** for solar and wind farms. This democratization of energy sources can enhance **energy security** for nations previously reliant on **volatile foreign oil markets**. Furthermore, the **localized** nature of many renewable projects, such as rooftop solar, shortens energy supply chains, reducing system vulnerability.

Paragraph D: Despite the obvious benefits, the transition is not without challenges. Critics correctly point out the reliance of solar and battery technologies on certain **rare earth metals** and minerals, the extraction of which raises new environmental and geopolitical concerns regarding supply chains. Moreover, the massive **land area required** for large solar and wind installations sometimes conflicts with **biodiversity conservation** goals. However, proponents argue that these are **engineering and policy challenges** that can be mitigated through innovation and responsible governance, whereas the fundamental damage caused by unchecked fossil fuel use is, in many cases, **irreversible**.