Real Article: The Disappearing Web of Life
A world with no bees. No coral reefs. No wild forests.
That’s not science fiction — it’s a very real future.
Biodiversity, the variety of life on Earth, is collapsing. One million species are at risk of extinction. The causes? Deforestation, climate change, habitat loss, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade. When species disappear, ecosystems unravel. And when ecosystems fail, so do we.
From insects that pollinate crops to forests that filter air, we depend on ecosystem services. Yet governments often treat biodiversity as a secondary issue. It’s not. Without biodiversity, food systems break, disease spreads, and environmental recovery slows.
And here’s the paradox: we’re causing the collapse — and we’re the ones who need saving.
So next time you hear a bird, or see a tree, or eat a banana — remember, you are never outside the web of life.
Vocabulary Deep Dive
| Word | Synonym | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity | Biological variety | Refers to ecosystems, species, and genetic variation — formal scientific term |
| Habitat loss | Destruction of living space | “Habitat loss” = caused by human activity like farming, urban sprawl |
| Extinction | Disappearance | “Extinction” = permanent global loss of a species |
| Ecosystem services | Natural support systems | Scientific phrase for what nature provides (e.g., air, pollination, climate regulation) |
There — now you can say, “Habitat loss threatens biodiversity and disrupts ecosystem services” with academic precision.
Article 2: Can We Still Save What’s Left?
Time is short. But not too late.
Countries are creating nature reserves, restoring wetlands, and banning wildlife trade. Urban areas are introducing “rewilding” projects. But real impact needs more than parks. It requires global cooperation and policy changes that protect biodiversity at the root.
The main drivers of extinction — habitat destruction, pollution, and unsustainable farming — are still growing. In some areas, extinction rates are 1,000 times faster than natural levels.
If we want functioning ecosystems in the future, we must value nature not just emotionally — but economically, legally, and politically. Because once it’s gone, we can’t rebuild it.
IELTS Reading Test
- What are two major causes of biodiversity loss?
→ Habitat destruction and pollution - Complete the sentence:
“Biodiversity provides critical ______, such as clean air and crop pollination.”
→ ecosystem services - True / False / Not Given:
Extinction rates have returned to normal levels in protected areas.
→ False - Multiple Choice:
What does “rewilding” refer to?
A. Building new cities
B. Reintroducing species and habitats
C. Polluting wild areas
D. Expanding agriculture
→ B. Reintroducing species and habitats - Matching Headings:
- A. Urgent Global Action
- B. Daily Human Impact
- C. Scientific Definitions
- D. Solutions and Limitations
- E. Emotional vs Practical Value
Suggested Answers: C, B, E, D, A
IELTS Speaking Challenge
Focus Vocabulary: biodiversity | extinction | habitat loss | ecosystem services
Warm-Up:
- What types of animals and plants are native to your country?
- Why is biodiversity important?
- Have you seen examples of environmental destruction near you?
Band 6 Sample:
“Many animals are gone now. People cut forests and make cities. That’s why.”
Band 7 Sample:
“Biodiversity loss is often caused by habitat destruction and unsustainable development. Protecting ecosystems is vital because they provide essential services like water purification and climate regulation.”
Speaking Frame:
“In my country, ______ has led to serious habitat loss. Unless governments take action to protect biodiversity, we may see irreversible extinction and damage to ecosystem services.”
There — now your answers include real structure and global insight.
IELTS Writing Challenge
Prompt:
Some people argue that economic development should be prioritised, even if it causes biodiversity loss. Others believe protecting biodiversity is more important than industrial growth.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Band 7 Sample:
“Economic growth often leads to habitat loss and species extinction. However, long-term progress depends on preserving biodiversity, as ecosystems provide services critical to survival. In my view, development and conservation must be balanced through regulation and innovation.”
Structure Guide:
- Present the conflict: development vs conservation
- Present economic argument (jobs, infrastructure, poverty reduction)
- Present environmental argument (extinction, ecosystem services, sustainability)
- Offer your view: balanced growth with strict ecological boundaries
Use These Words: biodiversity, extinction, habitat loss, ecosystem services
There — now your Task 2 writing communicates both intellect and empathy.
Grammar Focus: “Unless / If… Not” for Warnings and Consequences
Used to express conditions and risks with formality
Examples:
- “Unless we reduce deforestation, biodiversity loss will continue.”
- “If we do not act now, more species will face extinction.”
- “Unless ecosystems are protected, their services will disappear.”
Practice:
- Rewrite: If we don’t act, species will disappear.
→ Unless we act, species will disappear. - Write your own using:
- unless
- if not
- if we fail to…
- without…
This structure adds urgency and academic control to your essays and speeches.
Rewrite Challenge
Question:
Should biodiversity protection be a global priority?
Sentence Guide:
- Biodiversity is collapsing due to deforestation, pollution, and habitat loss.
- These losses threaten essential ecosystem services that support life.
- Economic development should not come at the cost of extinction.
- In my opinion, protecting biodiversity must become a global, legal, and financial priority.
Keywords: extinction, habitat loss, biodiversity, ecosystem services
There — your argument is now structured, ethical, and powerful.
Final Reflection
✔️ You’ve just:
- Learned 4 high-level environmental terms
- Read two urgent, test-relevant articles
- Answered IELTS-style questions with strategic clarity
- Spoken and written like an expert in sustainability
- Practised grammar that drives real-world argumentation
- Rewritten a full IELTS-style answer with balance and force
To learn how to use language structures like moral framing — essential for essays, activism, and leadership — join the full course.