THE WILD SIDE OF TOWN - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 2 Academic Reading Test 6 · Part 2 · Questions 14–27
Reading Passage
You should spend about 20 minutes on Questions 14-27, which are based on Reading Passage 2 below.
THE WILD SIDE OF TOWN
The past half century has seen an interesting reversal in the fortunes of much of Britain's wildlife. Whilst the rural countryside has become poorer and poorer, wildlife habitat in towns has burgeoned. Now, if you want to hear a deafening dawn chorus of birds or familiarise yourself with foxes, you can head for the urban forest.
Whilst species that depend on wide open spaces such as the hare, the eagle and the red deer may still be restricted to remote rural landscapes, many of our wild plants and animals find the urban ecosystem ideal. This really should be no surprise, since it is the fragmentation and agrochemical pollution in the farming lowlands that has led to the catastrophic decline of so many species.
By contrast, most urban open spaces have escaped the worst of the pesticide revolution, and they are an intimate mosaic of interconnected habitats. Over the years, the cutting down of hedgerows on farmland has contributed to habitat isolation and species loss. In towns, the tangle of canals, railway embankments, road verges and boundary hedges lace the landscape together, providing first-class ecological corridors for species such as hedgehogs, kingfishers and dragonflies.
Urban parks and formal recreation grounds are valuable for some species, and many of them are increasingly managed with wildlife in mind. But in many places their significance is eclipsed by the huge legacy of post-industrial land - demolished factories, waste tips, quarries, redundant railway yards and other so-called 'brownfield' sites. In Merseyside, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands, much of this has been spectacularly colonised with birch and willow woodland, herb-rich grassland and shallow wetlands. As a consequence, there are song birds and predators in abundance over these once-industrial landscapes.
There are fifteen million domestic gardens in the UK, and whilst some are still managed as lifeless chemical war zones, most benefit the local wildlife, either through benign neglect or positive encouragement. Those that do best tend to be woodland species, and the garden lawns and flower borders, climber-covered fences, shrubberies and fruit trees are a plausible alternative. Indeed, in some respects gardens are rather better than the real thing, especially with exotic flowers extending the nectar season. Birdfeeders can also supplement the natural seed supply, and only the millions of domestic cats may spoil the scene.
As Britain's gardeners have embraced the idea of 'gardening with nature', wildlife's response has been spectacular. Between 1990 and the year 2000, the number of different bird species seen at artificial feeders in gardens increased from 17 to an amazing 81. The BUGS project (Biodiversity in Urban Gardens in Sheffield) calculates that there are 25,000 garden ponds and 100,000 nest boxes in that one city alone.
We are at last acknowledging that the wildlife habitat in towns provides a valuable life support system. The canopy of the urban forest is filtering air pollution, and intercepting rainstorms, allowing the water to drip more gradually to the ground. Sustainable urban drainage relies on ponds and wetlands to contain storm water runoff, thus reducing the risk of flooding, whilst reed beds and other wetland wildlife communities also help to clean up the water. We now have scientific proof that contact with wildlife close to home can help to reduce stress and anger. Hospital patients with a view of natural green space make a more rapid recovery and suffer less pain.
Traditionally, nature conservation in the UK has been seen as marginal and largely rural. Now we are beginning to place it at the heart of urban environmental and economic policy. There are now dozens of schemes to create new habitats and restore old ones in and around our big cities. Biodiversity is big in parts of London, thanks to schemes such as the London Wetland Centre in the south west of the city.
This is a unique scheme masterminded by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust to create a wildlife reserve out of a redundant Victorian reservoir. Within five years of its creation the Centre has been hailed as one of the top sites for nature in England and made a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It consists of a 105-acre wetland site, which is made up of different wetland habitats of shallow, open water and grazing marsh. The site attracts more than 104 species of bird, including nationally important rarities like the bittern.
We need to remember that if we work with wildlife, then wildlife will work for us - and this is the very essence of sustainable development.
Questions
Questions 14–19 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 2?
Write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
Questions 20–23 Short Answers
Answer the questions below, using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER from the passage for each answer.
Questions 24–26 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters A-G.
Questions 27–27 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct answer, A, B, C or D.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | NOT GIVEN | The past half century has seen an interesting reversal in the fortunes of much of Britain's wildlife. Whilst the rural countryside has become poorer and poorer, wildlife habitat in towns has burgeoned many of our wild plants and animals find the urban ecosystem ideal |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that over the last 50 years, things have changed for British wildlife. The countryside has become 'poorer' for wildlife, while places for wildlife in towns have 'grown a lot'. It also states that 'many wild plants and animals' think cities are perfect places to live. These parts show that cities are much better for wildlife than they used to be and that the countryside is struggling, but they do not specifically say that there is *more* wildlife in total in cities than in the countryside. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'NOT GIVEN'. This means the passage does not tell us if there is more wildlife in cities than in the countryside now. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage describes how wildlife habitat in towns has grown, and the countryside has become 'poorer' for wildlife. It also says that many wild plants and animals find cities good places to live. However, the passage does not give enough information to say if the *total amount* of wildlife in cities is now greater than in the countryside. It explains that wildlife is doing better in cities compared to before, and it mentions a decline in rural areas, but it doesn't make a direct, overall comparison about which area has more wildlife in total. |
| Q15 | TRUE | This really should be no surprise, since it is the fragmentation and agrochemical pollution in the farming lowlands that has led to the catastrophic decline of so many species | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that chemicals used on farms (agrochemical pollution in the farming lowlands) have caused a very big reduction (catastrophic decline) in many different kinds of animals and plants (species). Answer Explanation: The answer is 'TRUE'. This means the statement, 'Rural wildlife has been reduced by the use of pesticides on farms,' is correct based on the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage clearly states that chemicals used in farming areas have caused a big decrease in different types of animals and plants. It mentions 'agrochemical pollution in the farming lowlands' as the reason for the 'catastrophic decline of so many species.' 'Agrochemical pollution' refers to chemicals like pesticides used on farms, and 'catastrophic decline' means a very large reduction. |
| Q16 | TRUE | Over the years, the cutting down of hedgerows on farmland has contributed to habitat isolation and species loss | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that when hedges on farms were cut down, it made distinct living areas for animals and plants become separated ('habitat isolation'). This tells us that before they were cut, these hedges helped to connect those areas. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the statement is correct. It is true that in the past, hedges on farms connected different places where animals and plants live. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage mentions that 'the cutting down of hedgerows on farmland has contributed to habitat isolation and species loss'. This means that before these hedges were cut down, they helped to connect different habitats, preventing them from being isolated. The phrase 'habitat isolation' tells us that without the hedges, habitats became separated, implying the hedges previously linked them. |
| Q17 | NOT GIVEN | In towns, the tangle of canals, railway embankments, road verges and boundary hedges lace the landscape together, providing first-class ecological corridors for species such as hedgehogs, kingfishers and dragonflies There are now dozens of schemes to create new habitats and restore old ones in and around our big cities |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that existing things in towns, like canals and railway sides, are good paths for animals. It also says that many plans are being made to build new places for animals or fix old ones near cities. But the passage does not say if totally new city areas are being designed from the start to have these animal paths. Answer Explanation: The answer 'NOT GIVEN' means that the passage does not tell us if new city areas are being designed specifically for wildlife paths. We cannot find this information in the text. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage talks about existing urban areas having features that act as ecological corridors and mentions schemes to create new habitats or restore old ones. However, it does not provide information about whether entirely new urban environments are *planned* specifically to include ecological corridors for wildlife from the beginning of their design. The passage states that 'In towns, the tangle of canals, railway embankments, road verges and boundary hedges lace the landscape together, providing first-class ecological corridors for species'. This refers to existing structures. It also notes 'There are now dozens of schemes to create new habitats and restore old ones in and around our big cities.' While these schemes might involve creating corridors, the statement specifically asks if 'new urban environments' are *planned* for this purpose, which is not directly addressed. |
| Q18 | NOT GIVEN | Urban parks and formal recreation grounds are valuable for some species, and many of them are increasingly managed with wildlife in mind There are fifteen million domestic gardens in the UK, and whilst some are still managed as lifeless chemical war zones, most benefit the local wildlife, either through benign neglect or positive encouragement |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that urban parks are cared for more and more with animals in mind. It also says that most home gardens help wild animals because people either let nature be or actively encourage it. These sentences talk about how parks and gardens are looked after, but they do not say that these places are becoming larger. Answer Explanation: The answer 'NOT GIVEN' means that the passage does not tell us if public parks and gardens are getting bigger to help animals. The text talks about parks and gardens, but it does not say anything about them growing in size. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage states that 'Urban parks and formal recreation grounds are valuable for some species, and many of them are increasingly managed with wildlife in mind.' It also mentions that 'gardens' benefit wildlife and that 'Britain's gardeners have embraced the idea of 'gardening with nature'.' While these parts of the passage discuss how parks and gardens are used or managed to help wildlife, they do not provide any information about whether these spaces are 'being expanded' or made larger for this purpose. The idea of *expansion* is not mentioned at all, only changes in *management* or *usage*. |
| Q19 | FALSE | But in many places their significance is eclipsed by the huge legacy of post-industrial land - demolished factories, waste tips, quarries, redundant railway yards and other so-called 'brownfield' sites. In Merseyside, South Yorkshire and the West Midlands, much of this has been spectacularly colonised with birch and willow woodland, herb-rich grassland and shallow wetlands. As a consequence, there are song birds and predators in abundance over these once-industrial landscapes | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that old industrial places like 'demolished factories' and 'waste tips' (called 'brownfield' sites) have been filled with new plants and natural areas. Because of this, many 'song birds' and animals that hunt them are now found in large numbers in these previously industrial places. This means these old sites have become good homes for wildlife, not harmful ones. Answer Explanation: The answer 'FALSE' means that the statement is not true according to the passage. Old industrial wastelands have not damaged wildlife habitats in towns. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'FALSE' because the passage indicates that old industrial areas, described as 'post-industrial land' and 'brownfield sites,' have actually been good for wildlife. Instead of being damaged, these lands have been 'spectacularly colonised' by different plants and animals, leading to 'song birds and predators in abundance.' This shows they help wildlife, rather than hurt it. |
| Q20 | woodland species | Those that do best tend to be woodland species | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that the animals and plants that do 'best' (which means they grow and live very well) in city gardens are often 'woodland species,' meaning they are types of wildlife that usually live in forests or with many trees. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'woodland species.' This means that kinds of animals and plants that usually live in forests or areas with many trees get the most help from gardens in cities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'woodland species' because the passage specifically states that these types of wildlife thrive the most in urban gardens. It points out that 'those that do best tend to be woodland species,' directly answering the question about which wildlife benefits most. |
| Q21 | exotic flowers | Indeed, in some respects gardens are rather better than the real thing, especially with exotic flowers extending the nectar season | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that gardens can be even better than wild places, specifically because 'exotic flowers' (flowers from other countries) make the time when nectar is available 'longer'. This means birds and insects have more food for more of the year. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'exotic flowers'. These are special flowers that come from far-off places and are not native to the area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'exotic flowers' because the passage explains that these flowers help to make the 'nectar season' longer. Nectar is a sweet liquid that many insects, like bees and butterflies, and some birds, use as food. By having exotic flowers, gardens can provide food for these creatures for a longer time, which benefits them. |
| Q22 | domestic cats / cats | and only the millions of domestic cats may spoil the scene | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that many city gardens help local wildlife. But then it adds that many 'domestic cats' (house cats) might 'spoil the scene', meaning they could cause problems for the wildlife that lives there. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'domestic cats'. This means common house cats can be dangerous for animals in city gardens. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is stated directly in the passage when discussing urban gardens. The passage mentions that while gardens can be good for wildlife, a specific animal might 'spoil the scene' for the local wildlife. The passage clearly identifies 'domestic cats' as this threat. |
| Q23 | 81 | Between 1990 and the year 2000, the number of different bird species seen at artificial feeders in gardens increased from 17 to an amazing 81 | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that between the years 1990 and 2000, the variety of bird species people saw using bird feeders in their gardens went up. It started at 17 kinds of birds and grew to a surprising number of 81 kinds of birds. Answer Explanation: The answer means that 81 different kinds of birds were seen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 81 because the passage states that by the year 2000, the number of different bird species found in gardens had grown to 81. This number represents the 'last count' provided for bird species in urban gardens within the given timeframe mentioned in the text. |
| Q24 | — | — | |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | C / E / G | The canopy of the urban forest is filtering air pollution, and intercepting rainstorms, allowing the water to drip more gradually to the ground. Sustainable urban drainage relies on ponds and wetlands to contain storm water runoff, thus reducing the risk of flooding, whilst reed beds and other wetland wildlife communities also help to clean up the water. We now have scientific proof that contact with wildlife close to home can help to reduce stress and anger. Hospital patients with a view of natural green space make a more rapid recovery and suffer less pain | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that city trees help clean the air by 'filtering air pollution.' It also says that places like ponds and wet areas, called 'wetlands,' can hold 'storm water runoff' to stop floods, meaning they 'absorb excess water.' Finally, it states that being near nature 'can help to reduce stress and anger' and make sick people 'recover more rapid(ly)' and feel 'less pain,' which means it 'promote(s) human well-being'. Answer Explanation: The answer says that wildlife spaces in cities help people in three main ways: they make people feel good, they soak up extra water, and they clean the air in the city. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the passage which clearly lists several benefits of urban wildlife habitats for people. First, it mentions that 'contact with wildlife close to home can help to reduce stress and anger' and that 'Hospital patients with a view of natural green space make a more rapid recovery and suffer less pain,' which shows how wildlife promotes human well-being (C). Second, the passage explains that 'Sustainable urban drainage relies on ponds and wetlands to contain storm water runoff, thus reducing the risk of flooding,' indicating that these habitats can absorb excess water (E). Third, it states that 'The canopy of the urban forest is filtering air pollution,' which means they help clean the urban atmosphere (G). These points directly match the chosen answer options. |
| Q27 | C | We need to remember that if we work with wildlife, then wildlife will work for us - and this is the very essence of sustainable development | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that if people help animals and plants ('work with wildlife'), then nature will help people back ('wildlife will work for us'). It then clearly states that this idea - working with wildlife to get benefits - is the most important part of something called 'sustainable development', which means progress that lasts a long time without hurting the Earth. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that making sure development can continue for a long time without harming the future (sustainable development) depends on taking actions to protect nature (active nature conservation). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the passage directly connects 'sustainable development' to 'working with wildlife'. The last sentence states that 'if we work with wildlife, then wildlife will work for us - and this is the very essence of sustainable development.' 'Working with wildlife' is a clear synonym for 'active nature conservation', meaning that protecting and interacting positively with nature is fundamental to achieving sustainable development. |