IELTS Reading Exercise 3

Forests represent a significant aspect of our natural heritage. The decline of Europe's forests over the past fifteen years has heightened awareness of the serious imbalances threatening them. European nations are increasingly alarmed by significant threats to their forests, challenges that transcend geographic and climatic borders: air pollution, soil degradation, the rising incidence of forest fires, and sometimes inadequate forest management. The need for coordinated policies among countries has become more apparent. In December 1990, Strasbourg hosted the inaugural Ministerial Conference on Europe's forest protection, bringing together 31 countries from Western and Eastern Europe. Discussions included coordinated studies on forest destruction, strategies to combat forest fires, and expanding European research programs on forest ecosystems. Prior to the conference, experts convened twice to determine which forest issues affecting Europe warranted collective action, excluding those confined to specific regions like the Mediterranean or Nordic countries, though not ruling out future considerations.

As a whole, European countries view forests as serving a triple role: biological, economic, and recreational. Firstly, forests act as the planet's 'green lungs,' producing oxygen through photosynthesis, thus functioning as an immense, non-polluting power source essential for human existence. Additionally, forests provide raw materials for human activities through sustainable wood production. Lastly, they offer urban residents a unique opportunity for leisure and recreational activities such as hunting, horseback riding, and hiking. While the economic significance of forests has been recognized since ancient times—wood being the initial source of fuel—the biological and recreational aspects have gained prominence only in recent centuries. Consequently, there is widespread concern across Europe regarding environmental damage threatening these three fundamental roles of forests.

The concept of the 'natural' forest persists, yet there are effectively no remaining 'primary' forests in Europe. All European forests are man-made, having been adapted and exploited by humans for thousands of years. This underscores the necessity of a forest policy that transcends national borders and generations, accommodating the inevitable changes in forests, needs, and policies. The Strasbourg conference was among the first of its scale to reach this conclusion. A general declaration emphasized the importance of continuity over time and readiness for unforeseen events in any ecologically coherent forest policy, ensuring forests' full potential is sustained.

This general declaration was accompanied by six detailed resolutions to aid national policymaking. The first proposes expanding and systematically setting up monitoring sites to track forest decline. Forest decline, affecting the majority of species and covering the entire continent, results in the loss of a significant portion of tree needles or leaves. The condition likely results from various factors, with atmospheric pollutants, particularly nitrogen and sulphur dioxide compounds, being primary culprits. Climatic factors like drought and harsh winters, as well as soil imbalances such as acidification damaging roots, exacerbate these effects. The second resolution focuses on preserving the genetic diversity of European forests, aiming to reverse the decline in tree species or, at a minimum, conserve their genetic material. While forest fires impact different parts of Europe to varying degrees, the experts proposed establishing a European database on this issue as the third resolution at the Strasbourg conference. This database would make all information used in developing national prevention policies widely available. The fourth resolution discussed by ministers addressed mountain forests, which have experienced rapid and substantial changes due to sparse permanent populations and the development of leisure activities, notably skiing. Proposed measures include prioritizing research programs on mountain forests. The fifth resolution reinforced the Euro Silva European research network's role in studying tree physiology, supporting joint European research on tree diseases and their physiological and biochemical aspects. Each concerned country could increase funding for doctoral theses and research projects in this field. Finally, the conference set the stage for a European research network on forest ecosystems, aiming to harmonize activities across countries and identify key research areas for forest protection. The primary concern of the Strasbourg conference was future preparedness, a goal unanimously shared by representatives from 31 European countries. Their final statement commits to ongoing discussions among government representatives responsible for forests.

Questions 27-33Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 157?In boxes 27-33 on your answer sheet, write:

TRUE   if the statement agrees with the information-FALSE    if the statement contradicts the informationNOT GIVEN   if there is no information on this

27. Forest problems of Mediterranean countries are to be discussed at the next meeting of experts.28. Problems in Nordic countries were excluded because they are outside the European – Economic Community.29. Forests are a renewable source of raw material.30. The biological functions of forests were recognised only in the twentieth century.31. Natural forests still exist in parts of Europe.32. Forest policy should be limited by national boundaries.33. The Strasbourg conference decided that a forest policy must allow for the possibility of change.

Questions 34-39Look at the following statements issued by the conference.Which six of the following statements. A-J, refer to the resolutions that were issued?

Match the statements with the appropriate resolutions (Questions 34-39).Write the correct letter. A-J. in boxes 34-39 on your answer sheet.

A. All kinds of species of trees should be preserved.B.  Fragile mountain forests should be given priority in research programs.C.  The surviving natural forests of Europe do not need priority treatment.D.  Research is to be better co-ordinate throughout Europe:E.  Information on forest fires should be collected and shared.F.  Loss Of leaves from trees should be more extensively and carefully monitoredG.  Resources should be allocated to research into tree diseases.H.  Skiing should be encouraged in thinly populated areas.I.  Soil imbalances such as acidification should be treated with compounds of nitrogen and sulphur.J.  Information is to be systematically gathered on any decline in the condition of forests.

34.  Resolution 135.  Resolution 236.  Resolution 337.  Resolution 438.  Resolution 539.  Resolution 6

Question 40Choose the correct letter, A. B, C or D.Write the correct letter in box 40 on your answer sheet

40.  What is the best title for Reading Passage 157?A  The biological, economic and recreational role of forestsB  Plans to protect the forests of EuropeC The priority of European research into ecosystemsD Proposals for a world-wide policy on forest management

Answer:27. NOT GIVEN28. FALSE29. TRUE30. FALSE31. FALSE32. FALSE33. TRUE34. J35. A36. E37. B38. G39. D40. B