Saving The Juniper Plant - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Saving the juniper plant
Background
Juniper was one of the first plants to colonise Britain after the last 31.
Its smoke is virtually 32 , so juniper wood was used as fuel in illegal activities.
Oils from the plant were used to prevent 33 spreading.
Nowadays, its berries are widely used to 34 food and drink.
Ecology
Juniper plants also support several species of insects and 35.
Problems
In current juniper populations, ratios of the 36 are poor.
Many of the bushes in each group are of the same age so 37 of whole populations is rapid.
Solutions
Plantlife is trialling novel techniques across 38 areas of England.
One measure is to introduce 39 for seedlings.
A further step is to plant 40 from healthy bushes.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | ice age | It has been discovered that it was actually amongst the first species of plants to establish itself in Britain in the period following the most recent ice age | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that juniper was one of the first types of plants to start growing in Britain right after the last cold ice age finished. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a very long time ago in history when the Earth was extremely cold and covered in ice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "ice age" because the speaker says that the juniper plant was one of the first plants to grow and live in Britain after the last cold period ended. In the transcript, the phrase "establish itself" means the same thing as "colonise," and the word "following" means "after." |
| Q32 | invisible | It was used widely as a fuel during the middle ages, because when burnt, the smoke given off is all but invisible, and so any illicit activities involving fire could go on without being detected—for example, cooking game hunted illegally | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that people used juniper wood for fires long ago because its smoke is very hard to see. Because the smoke is hidden, people could do bad or illegal things using fire without anyone finding out. Answer Explanation: The answer 'invisible' describes something that cannot be seen with your eyes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the description of why juniper wood was popular for fuel in the past. The speaker mentions that when the wood is burned, the smoke is 'all but invisible'—which means it is almost completely impossible to see. This helped people do illegal activities without being noticed by others. In the sentence provided, 'virtually invisible' is used as a synonym for 'all but invisible'. |
| Q33 | infections / infection | Particularly during large epidemics, oils were extracted from the juniper wood and sprayed in the air to try to prevent the spread of infection in hospital wards | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that people took oils from the juniper tree and put them in the air to stop sickness from spreading to others in hospitals. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that substances from the juniper plant were used to stop the spread of illness. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the speaker's discussion about the medicinal uses of the juniper plant. They explain that during major outbreaks of disease (epidemics), oils from the juniper wood were sprayed in hospital rooms to stop 'infection' from moving from person to person. The word 'prevent' in the question is a direct match for the transcript, and 'spread' matches 'spreading'. |
| Q34 | flavour / flavor | And these days, perhaps its most well-known use is in cuisine, cooking, where its berries are a much valued ingredient used to flavor a variety of meat dishes and also drinks | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that currently, the most famous way people use the plant is in cooking. They use the berries to give a special taste to different kinds of meat and various drinks. Answer Explanation: The answer means adding a special taste to food or beverages. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'flavour' because the student mentions that in modern times ('these days'), the most common use for juniper berries is in cooking. They are used to give a specific taste to meat and drinks. In English, when you add taste to food, you 'flavour' (or 'flavor') it. |
| Q35 | fungus / fungi | If juniper bushes are wiped out, this would radically affect many different insect and also fungus species | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that losing the juniper plants would have a big effect on different kinds of insects and fungus, meaning these creatures depend on the plant to live. Answer Explanation: The answer is a type of living organism, such as a mushroom or mold, that lives on or near the plant. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is fungus (or fungi) because the speaker mentions that if juniper bushes disappear, it will strongly impact many types of insects and fungus. This indicates that the juniper plant provides a necessary environment or food source to support these species. |
| Q36 | sexes | a survey conducted in the north and west of Britain in 2004 to 5 showed that a major problem is the fact that in present day populations, ratios between the sexes are unbalanced, and without a proper mix of male and female, bushes don’t get pollinated | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that a study found a big problem: the number of male plants compared to female plants is not correct, which stops the plants from making seeds. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the male and female categories of the plant. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified through the speaker's mention of a survey. This survey found that in current populations of the plant, the ratio (the comparative number) between male and female plants is 'unbalanced,' which is a synonym for 'poor' in this context. Because the numbers are not equal, the plants cannot easily reproduce. |
| Q37 | extinction | Also, the survey found that in a lot of these populations, the plants are the same age. So this means that bushes grow old and start to die at similar times, leading to swift extinction of whole populations | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that when plants in a group are all the same age, they get old and die together, which causes the whole group to die out quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer 'extinction' describes the situation where a whole group or species of living things completely dies out. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'extinction' because the speaker explains a problem where many plants are the same age. This causes them to die at similar times, which results in the whole group disappearing very fast. The word 'swift' used by the speaker has the same meaning as 'rapid' in the exercise. |
| Q38 | lowland | It’s currently trying out two new major salvage techniques, this time focusing on lowland regions of England | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the organization is testing new ways to protect the plants specifically in the low-lying parts of England. Answer Explanation: The answer "lowland" refers to flat areas of land that are not high above sea level, unlike mountains or hills. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "lowland" because the student explicitly mentions that the charity Plantlife is testing two new methods to save the juniper plant in the "lowland regions of England." In this context, "novel techniques" in the question refers to the "new major salvage techniques" mentioned in the speech, and "areas" is used as a synonym for "regions." |
| Q39 | shelters / shelter | The first thing it’s trying is to provide shelters for the seedlings in areas where juniper populations are fairly well established | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that one of the new experiments to help the juniper plant involves giving baby plants (seedlings) a protected place to live by providing them with shelters. Answer Explanation: The answer "shelter(s)" refers to physical structures or protective coverings used to keep small plants safe from harm. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the student's description of ways to save the juniper plant. In the section discussing solutions for lowland regions, the student explains that researchers are giving protection to young plants, called seedlings. By providing "shelters," they can keep these plants safe during their most "vulnerable" stage, which is when they are very young and could easily die. |
| Q40 | cuttings | A further measure is that in areas where colonies have all but died out, numbers are being bolstered by the planting of cuttings which have been taken from healthy bushes elsewhere | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when groups of plants are nearly gone, people help by planting 'cuttings' from healthy bushes to increase their numbers. Answer Explanation: The answer 'cuttings' refers to small parts like stems or leaves taken from a healthy plant to grow into a new plant. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cuttings' because the speaker explains that in places where the plants are almost gone, they increase the numbers by planting pieces taken from healthy bushes. In the transcript, 'bolstered' means to support or increase the size of something, and the things being planted are called 'cuttings'. |
Transcript
**Narrator:** Test 1. Section 4. You will hear an environmental studies student giving a presentation about his project on saving an endangered species of plant. Now you have some time to look at questions 31 to 40.
*(Pause)*
**Narrator:** Now listen and answer questions 31 to 40.
**Environmental Studies Student:** For my presentation, I’m going to summarize what I’ve found out about efforts to save one plant species, the juniper bush. It once flourished in Britain and throughout the world’s temperate zones, but over the last few decades has declined considerably. Before I go on to explain the steps being taken to save it in England, let me start by looking at some background information and why the juniper has been so important in cultural as well as ecological terms, historically and in the present day.
Firstly, I want to emphasize the fact that juniper is a very ancient plant. It has been discovered that it was actually amongst the first species of plants to establish itself in Britain in the period following the most recent ice age. And as I say, it has a much valued place in British culture. It was used widely as a fuel during the middle ages, because when burnt, the smoke given off is all but invisible, and so any illicit activities involving fire could go on without being detected—for example, cooking game hunted illegally.
It also has valuable medicinal properties. Particularly during large epidemics, oils were extracted from the juniper wood and sprayed in the air to try to prevent the spread of infection in hospital wards. And these days, perhaps its most well-known use is in cuisine, cooking, where its berries are a much valued ingredient used to flavor a variety of meat dishes and also drinks.
Turning now to ecological issues, juniper bushes play an important role in supporting other living things. If juniper bushes are wiped out, this would radically affect many different insect and also fungus species. We simply cannot afford to let this species die out.
*(Pause)*
**Environmental Studies Student:** So, why is the juniper plant declining at such a rapid rate? Well, a survey conducted in the north and west of Britain in 2004 to 5 showed that a major problem is the fact that in present day populations, ratios between the sexes are unbalanced, and without a proper mix of male and female, bushes don’t get pollinated. Also, the survey found that in a lot of these populations, the plants are the same age. So this means that bushes grow old and start to die at similar times, leading to swift extinction of whole populations.
Now the charity Plantlife is trying to do something to halt the decline in juniper species. It’s currently trying out two new major salvage techniques, this time focusing on lowland regions of England. The first thing it’s trying is to provide shelters for the seedlings in areas where juniper populations are fairly well established. These, of course, are designed to help protect the plants at their most vulnerable stage.
A further measure is that in areas where colonies have all but died out, numbers are being bolstered by the planting of cuttings which have been taken from healthy bushes elsewhere. Now, I hope I’ve given a clear picture of the problems facing this culturally and ecologically valuable plant, and of the measures being taken by Plantlife to tackle them. If anyone has any questions, I’d be happy to...
**Narrator:** That is the end of section 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
*(Pause)*
**Narrator:** That is the end of the listening test. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answers to the separate answer sheet.