PTE Reading

Multiple Choice, Single Answer

1 questions. Answer them all, then submit once for your section score.

Pearson Test of English — TestDayTwin Practice
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1.
Multiple Choice, Single Answer

Read the passage and answer the question.

Beach erosion along many coastlines has accelerated in recent decades due to a combination of rising sea levels and increased storm intensity. While erosion is a natural process, human interventions such as seawalls and jetties can inadvertently worsen the problem for neighboring stretches of coastline. These structures often block the natural movement of sand along the shore, a process known as longshore drift, causing sand to accumulate on one side while eroding rapidly on the other. Coastal engineers have increasingly turned to alternative strategies, such as periodically pumping sand from offshore deposits onto depleted beaches, a process called beach nourishment. Although this method is costly and requires repetition every few years, it avoids disrupting longshore drift patterns and is considered less environmentally disruptive than rigid barrier structures.

According to the passage, why can structures like seawalls and jetties worsen erosion on neighboring beaches?