The Moa - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 4 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–26 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 27–30 Matching
What is the feature of different types of the Moa?
Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-F, next to Questions 27-30.
A. the much taller female
B. less fossils left
C. the biggest eggs
D. feeding at night
E. better vocal sound
F. poor eyesight
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | A | Fossils of dinosaurs which we use to study are large in number, but not many of those of Moa remain, though both animals appeal to people today | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that there are many dinosaur fossils but not many Moa fossils, but people today still find both animals very interesting. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people today find both the Moa bird and dinosaurs very interesting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the teacher says that both animals appeal to people today. The phrase 'appeal to people' means that the public is interested in them. Even though dinosaurs died out millions of years ago and the Moa died out only 500 years ago, and even though they have different amounts of fossils, their popularity with the public is the same. |
| Q22 | A | Their heads are relatively small in relation to their bodies, and they are the only wingless birds lacking even the vestigial wings and substantial tail bones in their family | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Moa are the only birds that completely lack any kind of wing structure, including vestigial wings, and they also do not have significant tail bones. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Moa birds did not have any bones for wings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the lecturer explains that Moa are unique compared to other birds. While most birds have wings, the Moa are the only ones that have no wings at all, not even small or hidden wing parts (vestigial wings), which means they have no wing bones. Choice B is wrong because they lacked large tail bones, and choice C describes their body proportions rather than a unique difference from other birds. |
| Q23 | C | The chicks would be well-developed upon hatching and probably would be able to leave the nests to feed on their own almost immediately | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that as soon as the baby birds are born, they are able to go out and look for things to eat by themselves. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Moa babies could get their own food without needing their parents to help them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the lecturer explains that Moa chicks were very strong and ready (well-developed) as soon as they came out of their eggs. Because they were so ready, they could leave their home and find their own food right away. This matches the idea of finding food by themselves. |
| Q24 | B | I think there is a possibility for that. I've read somewhere that the sex-specific DNA recovered from the outer surfaces of eggshells suggested that these eggs were likely to have been hatched by the male, but we still need to consult more | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher explaining that scientific evidence (DNA) points to males hatching the eggs. She says this is a "possibility" and "likely," which means it is probably true, but she also mentions that more study is needed. Answer Explanation: The answer means the teacher believe it is possible that male birds took care of the eggs until they hatched, but she is not 100% certain yet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the lecturer uses words that show she is open to the idea but not completely sure. She says there is a "possibility" and that evidence "suggested" it was "likely." These words mean she thinks it might be true. However, she also says they need to "consult more," which means she doesn't have a final, certain answer yet, making option B the best choice over a sure "certainty" or "doubt." |
| Q25 | C | I'm not amazed by that, since that kind of thing has been claimed several times, but I find it funny because no reliable evidence of Moa tracks has ever been found, and experts still contend that Moa survival is extremely unlikely | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the male student saying he is not surprised by reports of Moa sightings. He says he finds the idea 'funny' because there are no footprints to prove it and experts believe the birds are definitely extinct. Answer Explanation: The answer states that the male student finds the situation humorous or silly rather than being shocked or concerned. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the male student explicitly says 'I find it funny' when talking about reports of people seeing the Moa recently. In English, 'funny' in this context means he thinks the idea is silly or not serious, which matches the word 'amused' in choice C. He also says he is 'not amazed,' which means he is not surprised (ruling out choice A), and he shows no signs of being 'worried' (ruling out choice B). |
| Q26 | B | Then the Maori arrived sometime before CE 1300, and all Moa genera were soon driven to extinction by hunting | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that when the Maori people came to New Zealand, they hunted the Moa birds so much that all the species died out. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Moa birds disappeared because of the things people did to them, specifically hunting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the lecturer explains that while the Moa had an animal predator in the past, they only disappeared forever after humans arrived. The Maori people arrived in New Zealand and hunted the birds until they were all gone. This action is a form of human interference. |
| Q27 | A | the second tallest of the nine moa species is the North Island Giant Moa, with the females being markedly larger than males both in weight and height | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that for the North Island Giant Moa type, the females (girls) were a lot bigger and taller than the males (boys). Answer Explanation: The answer means that the female birds were much bigger and taller than the male birds in this group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the lecturer specifically identifies the North Island Giant Moa and mentions that its females are 'markedly larger than males both in weight and height.' In English, 'markedly larger' in height means the same thing as being much taller, which matches choice A. |
| Q28 | B | As they mainly lived in the remote interior of the Southern Island, their fossils are rare or absent in archaeological sites, and no egg remains have yet been identified | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because this specific bird lived in deep, far-away parts of the South Island, scientists almost never find their old bones or eggshells today. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that scientists have found very few old bones or remains (fossils) of the Crested Moa bird. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the lecturer mentions that for the Crested Moa, fossils are 'rare or absent'. This is because they lived in very far-away, remote places where it was hard for their remains to be saved or found later. The word 'rare' means there are not many, which matches the idea of having 'less fossils left'. |
| Q29 | F | Their skulls reveal relatively bad vision, a good sense of smell, and a very short bill | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that by looking at the bird's head bones (skulls), experts found out that these birds had vision that was not very strong, along with a strong sense of smell. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Stout-legged Moa had a hard time seeing clearly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the lecturer mentions that the Stout-legged Moa had 'relatively bad vision.' In English, 'bad vision' is a synonym for 'poor eyesight,' meaning they could not see very well. |
| Q30 | E | Then there is the Eastern Moa. They were remarkable in having very long and narrow windpipes, which probably enabled them to make louder, more resonant calls than those of other Moa, and have the greatest vocal abilities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that this specific bird had very long throat tubes that helped it make louder and stronger sounds than other Moa birds. This gave them the best ability to use their voices. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that the Eastern Moa category of birds was known for making loud and clear sounds using their voices. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the lecturer describes the Eastern Moa as having special 'windpipes' (tubes in the throat for breathing and sound) that were very long. Because of these, they had the 'greatest vocal abilities' among all Moa, meaning they could make much better and louder sounds ('calls') to communicate with each other. Keywords like 'vocal abilities' and 'calls' are synonyms for 'vocal sound' used in choice E. |
Transcript
Lecturer: Thank you all for coming here today to hear about the Moa, a kind of animal which has been extinct for a long time. Well, first of all we'll look at what the Moa are. The Moa are nine species of flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. They were the dominant herbivores in New Zealand's forest, shrubland and subalpine ecosystems for thousands of years, but around 500 years ago, they all went extinct. When I mention extinct animals during ancient times, you may immediately think of dinosaurs, which disappeared around 66 million years ago. Fossils of dinosaurs which we use to study are large in number, but not many of those of Moa remain, though both animals appeal to people today.
Student F: So the Moa sound more mysterious now. But sir, I've got a question about these flightless birds. How can we distinguish them from other birds?
Lecturer: That's a good question! Birds are commonly characterised by being warm-blooded, having feathers and wings usually capable of flight, and laying eggs, while the flightless Moa, until their extinction, were the largest birds in the world. Their heads are relatively small in relation to their bodies, and they are the only wingless birds lacking even the vestigial wings and substantial tail bones in their family.
Student M: That's impressive. But were they born to be like that? I mean when they were chicks.
Lecturer: Yes, absolutely! So let's move onto the chicks. The eggs of Moa were laid in nests and incubated for about two months. The chicks would be well-developed upon hatching and probably would be able to leave the nests to feed on their own almost immediately.
Student F: I've heard that the male Moa are thought to have incubated the eggs. Is that true?
Lecturer: I think there is a possibility for that. I've read somewhere that the sex-specific DNA recovered from the outer surfaces of eggshells suggested that these eggs were likely to have been hatched by the male, but we still need to consult more.
But I have a question. There has been some occasional speculation that the Moa were still alive, because someone said they had caught sight of them in New Zealand in the late 19th century or even the 20th. Do you think it's possible?
Student M: I'm not amazed by that, since that kind of thing has been claimed several times, but I find it funny because no reliable evidence of Moa tracks has ever been found, and experts still contend that Moa survival is extremely unlikely.
Student F: So what was the reason for the Moa's extinction? I wonder if it was global warming or some other factors related to their living environment.
Lecturer: Well, before the arrival of human settlers in New Zealand, the Moa's only predator was the massive Haas's eagle. Then the Maori arrived sometime before CE 1300, and all Moa genera were soon driven to extinction by hunting. What a horrible thing!
Lecturer: All right. Now let's look at the features of some species of Moa. The South Island Giant Moa may have been the tallest birds ever known, and the second tallest of the nine moa species is the North Island Giant Moa, with the females being markedly larger than males both in weight and height.
Student M: And I've heard that the smallest of the Moa birds are the Coastal Moa. Is that right?
Lecturer: Yes, you're right. And have you heard about any other kinds of Moa before?
Student F: I know the Crested Moa. The eggs they laid may be larger than others'.
Lecturer: As they mainly lived in the remote interior of the Southern Island, their fossils are rare or absent in archaeological sites, and no egg remains have yet been identified.
Student F: Are there any species of Moa that have got more fossils?
Lecturer: Yes, of course. A considerable amount of remains of the Stout-legged Moa exist, due to the well-preserved properties of their habitat. Their skulls reveal relatively bad vision, a good sense of smell, and a very short bill.
Then there is the Eastern Moa. They were remarkable in having very long and narrow windpipes, which probably enabled them to make louder, more resonant calls than those of other Moa, and have the greatest vocal abilities, so they could communicate when they could not see each other in the forest or at night. They used a range of senses, apart from sound in their search for food, such as their sense of smell and vision.