Birds In New Zealand - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 5 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Birds in New Zealand
Facts
The birds often build their nests along the coastline or besides the 31
In 1984, researchers suggested that there were only 32 of this kind of bird left.
It seems hard to 33 the number of birds precisely.
Influencing factors
Human activities, such as 34 as well as constructing homes threaten this bird population.
The birds are influenced by many species which can eat their 35
Natural disasters including 36 can also reduce the population of the birds.
Ways of protection
The zoo should recruit a 37 to prevent the birds from their being poached.
The organizer could build a 38 to prevent the public from getting closer.
People should make more of an effort to protect 39 birds.
Through the 40, people will know more about bird protection.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | river | they often nest alongside the coastline or, follow the neighboring river, if necessary to track freshwater fish | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that birds choose to live near the sea or rivers so they can catch the fish they need to eat. Answer Explanation: The answer 'river' refers to a natural stream of water that flows towards an ocean, a lake, or another stream. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'river' because the speaker mentions that many birds in New Zealand eat fish. To find this food, they build their homes (nests) either along the edge of the ocean (coastline) or next to a nearby 'river'. In the transcript, 'neighboring' is used to describe the river, while 'besides' is used in the question as a synonym to show location. |
| Q32 | 3 pairs | In 1984, researchers discovered that just 3 pairs of flightless bird species remained in existence, and that even these faced severe pressure | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that in the year 1984, scientists found that only 3 pairs of a certain type of bird were still living. Answer Explanation: The answer "3 pairs" means that there were only three sets of two birds left. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the researchers' discovery in 1984. The speaker explains that at that time, only 3 pairs of flightless birds were still alive. This is the specific number mentioned to show how close some birds were to disappearing forever (extinction). |
| Q33 | estimate | Owing to migration patterns of a few bird species, it is far from easy to accurately estimate the bird numbers since many may have flown to other regions in search of mates and warmer climates, and thus not be included in the investigation | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because birds travel to other places to find partners or better weather, it is very difficult to correctly guess how many birds there are in total. Answer Explanation: The answer "estimate" means to guess the size or number of something when you cannot count it exactly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "estimate" because the text mentions that it is "far from easy" (which is another way of saying it is hard) to "accurately estimate" (give a precise guess) of the total bird numbers. This difficulty exists because birds migrate, or move, to different areas, which means researchers cannot find and count every bird to get a perfect number. The word "estimate" directly matches the context of trying to figure out how many birds there are. |
| Q34 | farming | Routine activities, such as farming or building houses, can have a massive impact on the local populations | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that everyday actions by people, like working on farms or constructing buildings, can hurt the number of birds in the area. Answer Explanation: The answer "farming" refers to the work of growing plants for food or taking care of animals on a farm. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "farming" because the speaker lists it as one of the routine "human activities" that harms bird numbers. The transcript specifically mentions farming alongside "building houses," which is a synonym for the phrase "constructing homes" used in the notes. |
| Q35 | eggs | These birds nest on the ground, and often return to find their eggs have been devoured by the egg-eating snakes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that birds that make nests on the ground are in danger because snakes find and eat their eggs. Answer Explanation: The answer 'eggs' refers to the hard-shelled objects birds lay, from which baby birds are born. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'eggs' because the text explains how certain predators affect the bird population. It mentions that some animals, such as the Mantane snake, are 'egg-eating' creatures. These predators 'devour' (eat) the eggs found in bird nests, which causes the number of birds to decrease. |
| Q36 | storms | Natural disasters such as storms can be devastating, tearing apart forests and leaving thousands of destroyed nests in their wake | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that bad weather events like storms can be very destructive. They can break trees and destroy the nests where birds live. Answer Explanation: The answer is storms, which are a type of extreme weather with very strong winds and heavy rain. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is storms because the transcript explicitly mentions them as an example of natural disasters that harm bird populations. The text explains that natural disasters created by nature itself, like storms, can destroy forests and nests, leading to the death of many birds. The word "including" in the task indicates that we need an example of a natural disaster mentioned in the transcript. |
| Q37 | guard | The zoo recently employed an expert in bird protection, who strongly suggested that a guard should be employed to protect their birds from poachers | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that a bird expert at the zoo suggested hiring a security person (a guard) to keep the birds safe from illegal hunters. Answer Explanation: The answer "guard" refers to a person hired to watch over and protect the birds from people who might try to steal or kill them illegally. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "guard" because the text explains that the zoo hired a bird specialist who gave advice on how to keep the birds safe. This specialist recommended hiring a specific person to watch the birds so that "poachers" (people who hunt animals illegally) cannot get to them. In the notes, the word "recruit" is used, which means the same as "employ" or "hire" from the transcript. |
| Q38 | fence | The expert also lays much stress on the fact that the birds can be haunted by quite a stressed situation where the public can approach them too closely, suggesting that the administration install a fence network to keep the public a safe distance away from the birds | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that an expert recommended putting up a fence to keep people away from the birds so the birds do not become stressed. Answer Explanation: The answer is a structure like a wall made of wood or wire that stops people from going into a specific area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is fence because the text mentions that to keep the public at a safe distance from the birds, the expert suggested installing a fence network. This helps prevent the birds from getting stressed when people get too near. |
| Q39 | wild | Many efforts are being made to educate the public in terms of how they can contribute towards protecting birds that are living in the wild | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there are many plans to teach people how they can help keep birds safe when they live in nature. Answer Explanation: The answer is "wild", which means living in nature and not kept in a cage or a zoo. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "wild" because the transcript discusses how to help birds that do not live in captivity. It mentions that birds moving freely in nature are in the most danger. Because of this, programs are helping the public learn how to take care of birds that are living in the wild. |
| Q40 | media | Finally, research has indicated that one of the most feasible measures of keeping the public noticed about the significance of protecting the bird populations is through the media | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that using information channels like news or the internet is a practical way to help people understand that birds need to be protected. Answer Explanation: The answer is media, which refers to tools like the internet, newspapers, or television used to spread information to many people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is media because the speaker identifies it as the best way to inform people about why birds need help. The speaker uses the word media to describe a successful way to make sure the public understands that protecting bird species is very important. |
Transcript
Ladies and Gentlemen, good afternoon. In this session, we're going to talk about birds indigenous to New Zealand, delving into the facts and analysing methods of protecting these species from extinction.
It may be a surprise to you to know that there are millions of bird species that are endemic to New Zealand; in other words, they are rarely found anywhere else throughout the world. Because quite a large number of these birds lead a living on a diet of freshly-caught fish, they often nest alongside the coastline or, follow the neighboring river, if necessary to track freshwater fish. Once they have mated, the female will collect twigs and pieces of debris to build nests where she can hatch her eggs under safe circumstances, like out the reach of predators.
When first immigrants landed on New Zealand roughly 7 centuries ago, rats were carried on the ships with them. The rats flourished in the warm climate and gradually became a threat to the native bird populations, particularly to the flightless species. In 1984, researchers discovered that just 3 pairs of flightless bird species remained in existence, and that even these faced severe pressure. Now, New Zealand is a global pioneer in facilitating the recovery of severely endangered species from the brink of extinction.
Every year, researchers conduct certain surveys aimed at monitoring the fluctuation in the levels of bird numbers and species living in New Zealand. Owing to migration patterns of a few bird species, it is far from easy to accurately estimate the bird numbers since many may have flown to other regions in search of mates and warmer climates, and thus not be included in the investigation.
Probably, there is a sensitive link between bird numbers and environmental influences, especially those closely linked to human activities. Routine activities, such as farming or building houses, can have a massive impact on the local populations. Forests that play a role of a habitat for thousands of birds can be entirely eradicated to produce fields for cropping or to provide wood for construction, which is such a catastrophic impact.
It is not only the activities of humans that threaten the living conditions of bird species, but the population of many predatory animal species has dramatically risen in New Zealand. One of these predators is the Mantane snake, which was introduced from Australia and has decimated the population of Killdeer birds. These birds nest on the ground, and often return to find their eggs have been devoured by the egg-eating snakes.
One cannot dismiss; of course, it is the disadvantage of that nature itself that imposes on the survival of many bird species. Natural disasters such as storms can be devastating, tearing apart forests and leaving thousands of destroyed nests in their wake. Monsoons flood the rivers and often drown many of the flightless bird species that are unable to escape.
Unfortunately, illegal hunting, which is the greatest threat to bird species in New Zealand, is nearly impossible to prohibit. Several bird species, which are going to be extinct, now appear on display at the national zoo, and there is such a crucial need that urgent policies are adopted to protect them. The zoo recently employed an expert in bird protection, who strongly suggested that a guard should be employed to protect their birds from poachers.
The expert also lays much stress on the fact that the birds can be haunted by quite a stressed situation where the public can approach them too closely, suggesting that the administration install a fence network to keep the public a safe distance away from the birds. In spite of this threat to birds in captivity, it is the freely roaming birds that are most at risk. Many efforts are being made to educate the public in terms of how they can contribute towards protecting birds that are living in the wild.
Finally, research has indicated that one of the most feasible measures of keeping the public noticed about the significance of protecting the bird populations is through the media. I advise you all to read the related articles in specialist journals, and also do some research on the Internet. Everyone can make your own contribution if you put your mind upon it!