IELTS Reading Practice: The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography

The intersection of health sciences and geography plays a crucial role in understanding global public health issues, such as disease outbreaks, healthcare access, and environmental health risks. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental factors contribute to 24% of global deaths, with climate change, pollution, and urbanization being key contributors.

In the IELTS Academic Reading section, test-takers are often asked to analyze passages that explore the intersection of health sciences and geography. This understanding is essential for answering different types of questions, including Matching Information, True/False/Not Given, and Summary Completion.

In this blog, we’ll explore how geography affects public health, discuss real-world examples, and provide IELTS reading questions and answers to help you prepare. Let’s get started!

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Overview of IELTS Reading Section:

Component	Details
Number of Passages	3
Total Questions	40
Time Limit	60 minutes
Question Types	- Matching Information  - True/False/Not Given  - Summary Completion  - Sentence Completion  - Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Passage Source	Books, journals, magazines, newspapers
Skills Tested	Comprehension, analysis, interpretation
Example Topic	The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography

Also Read: IELTS Academic Reading Test: Preparation Tips with Academic Reading Score

IELTS Reading Passage - The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography

Reading Passage: The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography

Instructions:

Below is a reading passage titled The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography. After reading the passage, you will answer a series of questions based on its content.

Time Limit:
You have 20 minutes to read the passage and answer the questions.

Number of Questions:
There are 13 questions in total.

Question Types:
The questions may ask you to:

• Identify key details
• Complete summaries
• Answer multiple choice questions
• Match headings to paragraphs

A.
The relationship between health sciences and geography is a crucial area of study for understanding the environmental and social determinants of health. Health geography, a specialized field within geography, focuses on the spatial distribution of health outcomes and services, examining how geography influences the spread of diseases, healthcare accessibility, and health risks.

B.
Geography affects health outcomes through various factors, such as climate, air quality, topography, and access to healthcare facilities. For example, tropical climates create ideal conditions for the spread of diseases like malaria and dengue fever, as mosquitoes thrive in warm, humid environments. In contrast, colder climates can limit the spread of these diseases, although they may give rise to other health concerns, such as respiratory illnesses due to cold air.

C.
In addition to climate, geography plays a key role in determining access to healthcare. Rural and remote areas often lack sufficient healthcare infrastructure, leading to disparities in healthcare quality and outcomes. In some cases, geographical barriers such as mountains, rivers, or long distances from medical centers make it difficult for individuals in these areas to access necessary care.

D.
The impact of urbanization on health is another important consideration. Rapidly growing cities tend to face air pollution, overcrowding, and inadequate sanitation, which can lead to a rise in health issues, including respiratory problems and the spread of infectious diseases. Furthermore, the unequal distribution of resources in urban areas, where wealthy neighborhoods may have superior healthcare services while poorer areas remain underserved, is a significant public health concern.

E.
Geographical factors also influence the spread of infectious diseases across regions. For instance, travel and migration patterns can facilitate the spread of diseases to new areas, especially in globalized economies. This was particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where global movement played a significant role in the transmission of the virus across countries.

F.
Public health policies, particularly those aimed at controlling disease outbreaks, need to consider geographical factors to be effective. For example, addressing air pollution in urban areas requires tailored solutions that account for the local geography, such as improving public transportation and reducing industrial emissions. Similarly, efforts to combat diseases like malaria require interventions that are geographically targeted, focusing on areas with the highest risk.

G.
In conclusion, geography and health sciences are deeply intertwined, with geographical factors influencing disease prevalence, healthcare access, and overall public health. Health geography continues to play a critical role in understanding how our environment shapes health outcomes, providing insights that are essential for creating effective public health strategies.

Also Read: IELTS General Reading Test: Practice Test With Answers

The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography IELTS Questions and Answers

Instructions:

• The following questions are based on the reading passage titled The Intersection of Health Sciences and Geography.
• Read the passage carefully before answering the questions.
• Answer all the questions based on the information provided in the passage.

Questions 1-6: Matching Headings

Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings below. Write the correct number (i–vii) in the boxes provided.

List of Headings:

i. The Role of Geography in Disease Spread

ii. Health Geography and Regional Health Challenges

iii. Impact of Climate on Health Conditions

iv. Environmental Factors and Global Health Risks

v. How Urbanization Affects Healthcare Delivery

vi. Access to Healthcare in Remote Regions

vii. The Link Between Geography and Public Health Policies

Paragraph A:

Answer: ii. Health Geography and Regional Health Challenges

Explanation: Paragraph A discusses how geography plays a crucial role in understanding regional health challenges and how health geography can help address these issues.

Paragraph B:

Answer: iii. Impact of Climate on Health Conditions

Explanation: Paragraph B explains how climate and weather patterns significantly influence the prevalence of diseases, especially in tropical regions.

Paragraph C:

Answer: iv. Environmental Factors and Global Health Risks

Explanation: Paragraph C focuses on the environmental factors, such as pollution and climate change, and their role in global health risks.

Paragraph D:

Answer: vi. Access to Healthcare in Remote Regions

Explanation: Paragraph D discusses the difficulties faced by people in remote areas in accessing healthcare services due to geographical and logistical barriers.

Questions 7-10: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B, C, or D.

7. What is the main factor that influences the spread of diseases in tropical regions?

A) Pollution

B) Climate

C) Urbanization

D) Healthcare Access

Answer: B) Climate

Explanation: The passage mentions that the warm and humid climates of tropical regions create ideal conditions for disease-spreading organisms, such as mosquitoes.

8. How does geography affect healthcare delivery in remote areas?

A) It limits the spread of diseases

B) It increases accessibility to healthcare

C) It makes healthcare less accessible due to geographical barriers

D) It reduces the quality of healthcare

Answer: C) It makes healthcare less accessible due to geographical barriers

Explanation: The passage clearly outlines that geographical barriers in remote areas hinder access to healthcare services, making it difficult for people to receive necessary medical attention.

9. What health challenge is particularly significant in densely populated urban areas?

A) Air pollution

B) Tropical diseases

C) Malaria

D) Lack of healthcare professionals

Answer: A) Air pollution

Explanation: The passage emphasizes the health risks posed by air pollution in densely populated urban areas, making it a significant challenge in cities.

10. What is a direct result of global movement and trade?

A) Increased awareness of health risks

B) Reduced health challenges

C) The spread of antibiotic-resistant infections

D) Improved healthcare infrastructure

Answer: C) The spread of antibiotic-resistant infections

Explanation: The passage highlights that increased global movement, trade, and close human contact contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistant infections, making it a major health concern.

Questions 11-13: True/False/Not Given

11. Urbanization has no effect on public health issues in large cities.

• True
• False
• Not Given

Answer: False

Explanation: The passage explains that urbanization, with rapid industrialization and overcrowding, contributes significantly to health challenges such as pollution, which directly affects public health.

12. Malaria is more likely to occur in regions with warm and humid climates.

• True
• False
• Not Given

Answer: True

Explanation: The passage states that malaria is prevalent in tropical regions, where the warm and humid climates create ideal conditions for mosquito breeding.

13. Geography has a significant role in addressing regional health disparities through public health policies.

• True
• False
• Not Given

Answer: True

Explanation: The passage mentions how geography plays a pivotal role in shaping public health policies that target region-specific health issues and disparities.

Summary of Answers:

1-6: Matching Headings

• A: ii. Health Geography and Regional Health Challenges
• B: iii. Impact of Climate on Health Conditions
• C: iv. Environmental Factors and Global Health Risks
• D: vi. Access to Healthcare in Remote Regions

7-10: Multiple Choice

• 7: B) Climate
• 8: C) It makes healthcare less accessible due to geographical barriers
• 9: A) Air pollution
• 10: C) The spread of antibiotic-resistant infections

11-13: True/False/Not Given

• 11: False
• 12: True
• 13: True

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Conclusion

The intersection of health sciences and geography plays a crucial role in understanding disease patterns, healthcare accessibility, and environmental health risks. This IELTS Reading passage highlights how geographical factors influence public health, from the spread of infectious diseases in tropical regions to healthcare disparities in remote areas.

For IELTS candidates, mastering such topics will enhance reading comprehension skills and provide valuable insights for the Speaking and Writing sections. Regular practice with question types like Matching Information and Sentence Completion will improve accuracy and boost overall IELTS scores.

To strengthen your IELTS preparation, explore upGrad’s Free IELTS Preparation Course for expert guidance, practice materials, and test-taking strategies.

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