The Great Barrier Reef - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Barrons IELTS Practice Exams Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–33 Summary Completion
Complete the information about the Great Barrier Reef.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
The Great Barrier Reef is made up of 3,000 31 and 600 32. Over 400 kinds of 33 can be found there.
Questions 34–38 Five Choices
Choose FIVE letters, A–I.
Questions 39–40 Short Answers
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | individual reefs / coral reefs | The Great Barrier Reef is composed of approximately three thousand individual reefs, which range in size from one hectare to more than ten thousand hectares each | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the Great Barrier Reef consists of about three thousand separate reefs. Answer Explanation: The answer means single, separate coral reefs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'individual reefs' (or 'coral reefs') because the lecturer explains that the Great Barrier Reef is made up of about 3,000 separate reefs. |
| Q32 | islands | In addition, around 600 islands are scattered throughout the area, particularly at the northern and southern ends | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in addition to the reefs, there are about 600 islands spread across the region. Answer Explanation: The answer means pieces of land that are completely surrounded by water. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "islands" because the lecturer states that there are about 600 islands located across the reef area. The number "600" in the prompt directly points to this piece of information. |
| Q33 | corals / coral | The reefs themselves are composed of over 400 different kinds of coral, the largest variety of corals found anywhere in the world | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there are more than 400 distinct types of coral found in these reefs. Answer Explanation: The answer means coral, which is a sea organism that forms reefs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is coral(s) because the lecturer explicitly mentions that the reefs contain over 400 different types of coral. The phrase 'kinds of' in the summary matches 'kinds of coral' in the text. |
| Q34 | — | — | |
| Q35 | — | — | |
| Q36 | — | — | |
| Q37 | — | — | |
| Q38 | A / D / E / H / I | All together, approximately fifteen hundred species of fish inhabit the reef area, including a number of different kinds of sharks. One of the more interesting mollusks to be found in the reefs is the giant clam. This huge shellfish can live for more than 100 years and can weigh as much as two hundred kilos. Sea mammals abound in the area, which serves as the breeding ground for certain types of whales, many of which are endangered. Over 200 species of sea and shore birds feed, roost, or nest among the reefs and islands. Many types of reptiles can also be found living among and near the reefs. Saltwater crocodiles, for example, inhabit the marshes along coastal areas. Amphibians include at least seven species of frogs inhabiting the islands of the reef | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript lists sharks, giant clams, whales, saltwater crocodiles, and frogs as animals that live in or near the Great Barrier Reef. Answer Explanation: The answer means that sharks (A), clams (D), whales (E), crocodiles (H), and frogs (I) are the five animals mentioned in the text that live in or near the Great Barrier Reef. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified because the speaker explicitly names sharks, giant clams, whales, saltwater crocodiles, and frogs in the second paragraph when talking about animals living in the reef area. The other animals listed in the options—starfish, seahorses, dolphins, and sea turtles—are not mentioned in the transcript at all. |
| Q39 | rising sea temperatures | Rising sea temperatures have led to an effect called coral bleaching, that is, large numbers of corals dying off, especially in the shallower areas of the reef | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when the sea water becomes warmer, it causes an event called coral bleaching, where a lot of coral dies. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the ocean water is getting warmer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'rising sea temperatures' because the speaker explains that higher ocean temperatures result in coral bleaching, which causes many corals to die. |
| Q40 | shading the reef / shading certain areas | One proposed solution involves shading the reef in certain areas to help keep the surrounding water temperatures down | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that one suggested idea to help fix the problem is to block sunlight over specific parts of the reef to help cool down the water. Answer Explanation: The answer means blocking direct sunlight over parts of the coral reef to protect it from heat. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is shading the reef (or shading certain areas) because climate change and rising water temperatures are causing corals to die. The lecturer mentions that to solve this problem, one suggested solution is to put shade over specific parts of the reef to keep the water temperature lower. |
Transcript
Lecturer: Despite its name, the Great Barrier Reef isn’t just one large coral reef. Rather, it’s a system of coral reefs that stretches along the east coast of Australia, covering an area of around three hundred thousand square kilometers. The Great Barrier Reef is composed of approximately three thousand individual reefs, which range in size from one hectare to more than ten thousand hectares each. In addition, around 600 islands are scattered throughout the area, particularly at the northern and southern ends. The reefs themselves are composed of over 400 different kinds of coral, the largest variety of corals found anywhere in the world.
Thousands of species of sea animals live in and around the reefs. All together, approximately fifteen hundred species of fish inhabit the reef area, including a number of different kinds of sharks. One of the more interesting mollusks to be found in the reefs is the giant clam. This huge shellfish can live for more than 100 years and can weigh as much as two hundred kilos. Sea mammals abound in the area, which serves as the breeding ground for certain types of whales, many of which are endangered. Over 200 species of sea and shore birds feed, roost, or nest among the reefs and islands. Many types of reptiles can also be found living among and near the reefs. Saltwater crocodiles, for example, inhabit the marshes along coastal areas. Amphibians include at least seven species of frogs inhabiting the islands of the reef.
Unfortunately, this wondrous area of the world is threatened by climate change. Rising sea temperatures have led to an effect called coral bleaching, that is, large numbers of corals dying off, especially in the shallower areas of the reef. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is attempting to find effective ways to deal with this issue that threatens the reef. One proposed solution involves shading the reef in certain areas to help keep the surrounding water temperatures down.