Practice Tests
IELTS Reading (AC) Task 1 #150

A. Light pollution, also known as photopollution, is the excessive, misdirected, or obtrusive artificial light in the nighttime environment. It is a side effect of industrial civilisation and is most pronounced in densely populated urban areas, but its effects are felt globally. This form of pollution encompasses several components, including skyglow (the brightening of the night sky over inhabited areas), glare (excessive brightness that causes visual discomfort), and light trespass (light falling where it is not intended or needed).

B. The consequences of light pollution are more significant and widespread than often realised, affecting human health, wildlife, and our connection to the universe. For humans, exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt our natural circadian rhythms, the 24-hour cycle that regulates sleep, hormone production, and other bodily functions. This disruption has been linked to sleep disorders, depression, and an increased risk for certain chronic diseases.

C. Wildlife is particularly vulnerable to light pollution. Nocturnal animals can become disoriented, and the delicate balance between predator and prey can be upset. Migratory birds that navigate by moonlight and starlight can be drawn off course by bright city lights, often with fatal consequences. Sea turtle hatchlings, which use the light of the moon on the water to find their way to the ocean, can be fatally lured inland by artificial lights.

D. Furthermore, light pollution has robbed much of humanity of a view of the night sky. The Milky Way, a sight that has inspired artists, scientists, and philosophers for millennia, is now invisible to more than one-third of the world''s population. This represents a significant cultural and scientific loss, hampering astronomical research and severing a fundamental connection to the cosmos. Solutions to light pollution are readily available and often simple, including shielding light fixtures to direct light downwards, using motion sensors and timers, and choosing warmer-coloured bulbs. These measures can reduce energy consumption and costs while restoring the natural darkness of the night.