Garden Wildlife in the City - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–36 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 37–40 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
| Animals | Reason for population increase in gardens | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | suitable stretches of water | massive increase in urban population |
| Hedgehogs | safer from 38
when in cities |
easy to 39
them accurately |
| Song thrushes | – a variety of 40
to eat – more nesting places available |
large survey starting soon |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | C | two of the group mentioned that they had seen yet more sparrow-hawks — one of Britain's most interesting birds of prey — in their own city centre gardens and wondered why they were turning up in these gardens in great numbers | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that two students saw many birds in their gardens and wanted to investigate the reason why such a large number of them were suddenly appearing there. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students wanted to study a new and interesting event that has been happening lately. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the students noticed a new trend where many sparrow-hawks were appearing in city gardens. They were curious about why this was happening at that time, especially since these birds are usually found in the countryside. In English, a "phenomenon" is an interesting event that can be observed, and the phrase "turning up in these gardens in great numbers" describes this new event they wanted to research. |
| Q32 | A | We estimated that it was about one fifth, and this was endorsed by looking at large-scale usage maps in the town land survey office - 24% to be precise | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the group first guessed the amount of garden land, but then they used big maps from a government building to find the exact percentage. Answer Explanation: The answer means the students found the correct amount of land by looking at official records or paperwork. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker explains that they checked their initial estimate by looking at 'large-scale usage maps' in the 'town land survey office'. These maps provided the 'precise' figure of 24%. In this context, official maps kept in a government office are considered official documents. Choice B is incorrect because they looked at existing maps rather than taking photos, and Choice C is incorrect because their discussions with people were informal and with neighbors, not with the surveyors themselves. |
| Q33 | B | Just over 100 of them completed a survey once every two weeks for twelve months - ticking off species they had seen from a pro forma list - and adding the names of any rarer ones | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that about 100 people filled out a form every two weeks for a whole year. On this form, they checked off which animals they had seen and added the names of any unusual animals to the list. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the group of researchers wanted people with gardens to write down and keep track of the animals they spotted at their homes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explains that over 100 garden owners participated in a year-long study. During this time, they filled out a survey every two weeks where they marked the animals they saw from a list and wrote down any rare ones. This regular activity of checking names on a list is a way of keeping a record of sightings. Keywords to note are 'completed a survey' and 'ticking off species', which are synonyms for recording information about animals. |
| Q34 | B | We deliberately chose smaller ones because they were by far the most typical in the city. The whole point of the project was to look at the norm not the exception | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that they chose small gardens because they are the most common type. They wanted to study what is normal ('the norm') instead of what is rare ('the exception'). Answer Explanation: The answer means the group picked gardens that were normal and easy to find in the city. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the researchers chose to study small gardens. They did this because most gardens in the city are small, so they are 'typical' or the 'norm' (the usual kind). In English, 'representative' describes something that is a common example of a larger group. Since they wanted to study what is average rather than what is rare, Choice B is the correct match. |
| Q35 | A | Alongside this primary research on urban gardens, we were studying a lot of books about the decline of wild animals in the countryside and thinking of possible causes for this | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that at the same time the students were doing their own studies on city gardens, they were reading many books about how the number of wild animals was going down in the country and why that was happening. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students spent a lot of time reading books about the difficulties wild animals face in the countryside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker mentions that while they conducted their own research in the city, they were also 'studying a lot of books' about why wild animal numbers were lowering in the countryside. In this context, 'studying a lot of books' means they did extensive reading, and 'decline' refers to the wildlife problems or the decrease in population. 'Countryside' is a synonym for rural areas. |
| Q36 | C | What we've decided to present today is information about just three species - because we felt these gave a good indication of the processes at work in rural and urban settings as a whole | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the team chose to share information on only three animals because they felt these examples showed a clear picture of how wildlife is changing across both the city and the countryside. Answer Explanation: The answer means the researchers picked three specific animals to talk about because those animals show the overall pattern of what is happening to wildlife in both the countryside and the city. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains that the reason for selecting these three species is that they provide a 'good indication' of the 'processes' happening in both rural and urban areas 'as a whole'. In this context, 'indication of the processes at work... as a whole' is a way of saying they show 'general trends'. The group believes these specific examples help explain the bigger picture of why animals are moving to or thriving in cities. |
| Q37 | frog / frogs | The first species to generate a lot of interesting information was frogs. And there was a clear pattern here - they proliferate where there is suitable water | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that frogs were the first animal the group studied. It shows that frogs grow in number when there is the right kind of water for them to live in. Answer Explanation: The answer is the animal 'frogs'. These are small, jumping animals that live in or near water. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is frogs because the speaker identifies them as the first species they found information about. The speaker explains that frogs 'proliferate' (increase in number) in places with 'suitable water' like garden ponds. This matches the table's description of 'suitable stretches of water' and a 'massive increase in urban population' which the speaker calls a 'massive migration to the towns'. |
| Q38 | predators | Hedgehogs are also finding it easier to live in urban areas - this time because their predators are not finding it quite so attractive to leave their rural environment, so hedgehogs have a better survival rate in cities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that hedgehogs are increasing in urban areas because the animals that kill them for food do not want to move from the countryside to the city. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to animals that hunt and kill other animals for food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'predators' because according to the transcript, hedgehogs survive better in the city because their natural hunters prefer to stay in the countryside. The text mentions that these hunters (predators) do not find the urban environment 'attractive,' which makes cities a safer place for hedgehogs to live and grow in number. |
| Q39 | count | We had lots of sightings, so all in all we had no difficulties with our efforts to count their numbers precisely | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because they saw many hedgehogs, they were able to easily find the exact total number of them. Answer Explanation: The answer "count" means to find the total number of something by listing them one by one. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "count" because the researcher explains that they had no trouble finding the exact number of hedgehogs in the city. In the transcript, the phrase "no difficulties" means it was "easy," and the word "precisely" means "accurately." The text specifically uses the word "count" to describe the action of figuring out the population size. |
| Q40 | seed / seeds | On the decline in the countryside, they are experiencing a resurgence in urban gardens because these days gardeners are buying lots of different plants which means there's an extensive range of seeds around, which is what they feed on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that while song thrushes are disappearing in the country, they are doing better in city gardens. This is because people plant many different types of plants, giving the birds many kinds of seeds to eat. Answer Explanation: The answer is seeds, which are the small parts of plants that some birds eat as food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is seeds because the speaker explains that song thrushes are doing well in city gardens due to the food available. Because people buy many different kinds of plants for their gardens, there is a wide variety (or 'extensive range') of seeds for the birds to eat. |
Transcript
Good morning. Today I'd like to present the findings of our Year 2 project on wildlife found in gardens throughout our city. I'll start by saying something about the background to the project, then talk a little bit about our research techniques, and then indicate some of our interim findings.
First of all, how did we choose our topic? Well, there are four of us in the group and one day while we were discussing a possible focus, two of the group mentioned that they had seen yet more sparrow-hawks - one of Britain's most interesting birds of prey - in their own city centre gardens and wondered why they were turning up in these gardens in great numbers. We were all very engaged by the idea of why wild animals would choose to inhabit a city garden. Why is it so popular with wildlife when the countryside itself is becoming less so?
The first thing we did was to establish what proportion of the urban land is taken up by private gardens. We estimated that it was about one fifth, and this was endorsed by looking at large-scale usage maps in the town land survey office - 24% to be precise. Our own informal discussions with neighbours and friends led us to believe that many garden owners had interesting experiences to relate regarding wild animal sightings so we decided to survey garden owners from different areas of the city. Just over 100 of them completed a survey once every two weeks for twelve months - ticking off species they had seen from a pro forma list - and adding the names of any rarer ones. Meanwhile, we were doing our own observations in selected gardens throughout the city. We deliberately chose smaller ones because they were by far the most typical in the city. The whole point of the project was to look at the norm not the exception. Alongside this primary research on urban gardens, we were studying a lot of books about the decline of wild animals in the countryside and thinking of possible causes for this.
So what did we find? Well, so much that I just won't have time to tell you about here. If you're interested in reading our more comprehensive findings, we've produced detailed graphic representations on the college web-site and of course any of the group would be happy to talk to you about them. Just email us.
What we've decided to present today is information about just three species - because we felt these gave a good indication of the processes at work in rural and urban settings as a whole.
The first species to generate a lot of interesting information was frogs. And there was a clear pattern here - they proliferate where there is suitable water. Garden ponds are on the increase, rural ponds are disappearing, leading to massive migration to the towns.
Hedgehogs are also finding it easier to live in urban areas - this time because their predators are not finding it quite so attractive to leave their rural environment, so hedgehogs have a better survival rate in cities. We had lots of sightings, so all in all we had no difficulties with our efforts to count their numbers precisely.
Our final species is the finest of bird singers, the song thrush. On the decline in the countryside, they are experiencing a resurgence in urban gardens because these days gardeners are buying lots of different plants which means there's an extensive range of seeds around, which is what they feed on. Another factor is the provision of nesting places - which is actually better in gardens than the countryside. Hard to believe it, but it's true. Incidentally, we discovered that a massive new survey on song thrushes is about to be launched, so you should keep an eye open for that.
Now, I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have ...