Why Zoos Are Good - IELTS Reading Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 14–26
Reading Passage
Why zoos are good
Scientist David Hone makes the case for zoos
A
In my view, it is perfectly possible for many species of animals living in zoos or wildlife parks to have a quality of life as high as, or higher than, in the wild. Animals in good zoos get a varied and high-quality diet with all the supplements required, and any illnesses they might have will be treated. Their movement might be somewhat restricted, but they have a safe environment in which to live, and they are spared bullying and social ostracism by others of their kind. They do not suffer from the threat or stress of predators, or the irritation and pain of parasites or injuries. The average captive animal will have a greater life expectancy compared with its wild counterpart, and will not die of drought, of starvation or in the jaws of a predator. A lot of very nasty things happen to truly ‘wild’ animals that simply don’t happen in good zoos, and to view a life that is ‘free’ as one that is automatically ‘good’ is, I think, an error. Furthermore, zoos serve several key purposes.
B
Firstly, zoos aid conservation. Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world, and many more are increasingly threatened and therefore risk extinction. Moreover, some of these collapses have been sudden, dramatic and unexpected, or were simply discovered very late in the day. A species protected in captivity can be bred up to provide a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos. Still more only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos, or have wild populations that have been boosted by captive bred animals. Without these efforts there would be fewer species alive today. Although reintroduction successes are few and far between, the numbers are increasing, and the very fact that species have been saved or reintroduced as a result of captive breeding proves the value of such initiatives.
C
Zoos also provide education. Many children and adults, especially those in cities, will never see a wild animal beyond a fox or pigeon. While it is true that television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive, and many natural history specimens are on display in museums, there really is nothing to compare with seeing a living creature in the flesh, hearing it, smelling it, watching what it does and having the time to absorb details. That alone will bring a greater understanding and perspective to many, and hopefully give them a greater appreciation for wildlife, conservation efforts and how they can contribute.
D
In addition to this, there is also the education that can take place in zoos through signs, talks and presentations which directly communicate information to visitors about the animals they are seeing and their place in the world. This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work. Many zoos also work directly to educate conservation workers in other countries, or send their animal keepers abroad to contribute their knowledge and skills to those working in zoos and reserves, thereby helping to improve conditions and reintroductions all over the world.
E
Zoos also play a key role in research. If we are to save wild species and restore and repair ecosystems we need to know about how key species live, act and react. Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables means real changes can be effected on wild populations. Finding out about, for example, the oestrus cycle of an animal of its breeding rate helps us manage wild populations. Procedures such as capturing and moving at-risk or dangerous individuals are bolstered by knowledge gained in zoos about doses for anaesthetics, and by experience in handling and transporting animals. This can make a real difference to conservation efforts and to the reduction of human-animal conflicts, and can provide a knowledge base for helping with the increasing threats of habitat destruction and other problems.
F
In conclusion, considering the many ongoing global threats to the environment, it is hard for me to see zoos as anything other than essential to the long-term survival of numerous species. They are vital not just in terms of protecting animals, but as a means of learning about them to aid those still in the wild, as well as educating and informing the general population about these animals and their world so that they can assist or at least accept the need to be more environmentally conscious. Without them, the world would be, and would increasingly become, a much poorer place.
Questions
Questions 14–17 Matching Information
The Reading Passage has six paragraphs, A-F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes on your answer sheet.
Questions 18–22 True / False / Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes on you answer sheet, 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 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E
Write the correct letters in boxes on your answer sheet.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | B | Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world, and many more are increasingly threatened and therefore risk extinction. Moreover, some of these collapses have been sudden, dramatic and unexpected | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about a lot of different types of animals disappearing forever. Some of these disappearances happened very suddenly and surprisingly. Answer Explanation: The answer explains where to find information about how quickly species can disappear from the Earth. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the paragraph containing a reference to how quickly animal species can die out is likely to discuss sudden extinctions, which matches the description in the provided excerpt about some collapses being 'sudden, dramatic and unexpected.' |
| Q15 | E | Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables means real changes can be effected on wild populations | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about the advantages of conducting research on animals in zoos where the risks are lower and there are fewer variables compared to studying them in the wild. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the reasons why it is preferable to study animals in captivity rather than in the wild can be found in paragraph E of the passage. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because paragraph E discusses the benefits of conducting research on animals in zoos, where the controlled environment allows for more effective interventions to be made to benefit wild populations. |
| Q16 | C | television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive, and many natural history specimens are on display in museums | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how television documentaries and natural history specimens in museums provide detailed and impressive ways to learn about animals. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that paragraph C mentions ways of learning about animals other than visiting them in zoos. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the mention of television documentaries and natural history specimens in museums in the excerpt aligns with the idea of learning about animals through other means beyond visiting zoos. |
| Q17 | A | it is perfectly possible for many species of animals living in zoos or wildlife parks to have a quality of life as high as, or higher than, in the wild. Animals in good zoos get a varied and high-quality diet with all the supplements required, and any illnesses they might have will be treated. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that animals living in zoos can be as healthy or even healthier than those living in the wild. This is because they get good food with all the extra things they need, and they get treated if they get sick. Answer Explanation: The answer says that paragraph A contains the information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because paragraph A explains why animals in zoos can be healthier than those in the wild. It says they get better food and healthcare. |
| Q18 | TRUE | The average captive animal will have a greater life expectancy compared with its wild counterpart | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that animals kept in captivity, like in a zoo, tend to live longer than the same kind of animals living in the wild. Answer Explanation: The answer says that it is true that an animal is likely to live longer in a zoo than in the wild. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage directly states that captive animals have a higher life expectancy compared to their wild counterparts. Therefore, an animal is indeed likely to live longer in a zoo than in the wild. |
| Q19 | TRUE | A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage states that some species can only be found in places where they are kept, like zoos. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that there are species in zoos that cannot be found in the wild. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is TRUE because the passage directly mentions that a good number of species only exist in captivity, such as in zoos. This implies that there are species in zoos that are no longer found in the wild. |
| Q20 | NOT GIVEN | television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that TV wildlife documentaries are getting better and more impressive. Answer Explanation: The answer states that there is no information given about if the improvements in TV wildlife documentaries have led to more zoo visitors. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage only talks about the quality of TV wildlife documentaries improving but does not mention anything about how it affects the number of zoo visitors. |
| Q21 | FALSE | This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work. | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that zoos used to be lacking in transmitting information about animals, but they have improved in this area. Answer Explanation: The answer means that zoos have not always been excellent at communicating information about animals to the public. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is FALSE because the excerpt clearly states that zoos used to be lacking in transmitting information about animals but are now becoming more sophisticated in their communication and outreach efforts. This shows that zoos have not always excelled in this aspect. |
| Q22 | NOT GIVEN | Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage mentions that conducting research on animals in zoos has lower risks and fewer variables. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that it is not mentioned whether studying animals in zoos is less stressful compared to studying them in the wild. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'NOT GIVEN' because the passage only discusses the lower risk and fewer variables associated with studying animals in zoos but does not provide any direct information about stress levels of animals in zoos compared to the wild. |
| Q23 | Firstly, zoos aid conservation. Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world... Without these efforts there would be fewer species alive today | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage says that zoos help save many animals from disappearing. If zoos did not help, many kinds of animals would not be here anymore. Answer Explanation: The answer includes two letters. Each letter represents a part of the passage that tells us why zoos are good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer reflects the sections of the passage that discuss the important roles of zoos. For example, Section B explains how zoos help save animals from becoming extinct by breeding them. Section C describes how zoos teach people about animals, which is also very important. These roles are necessary for animal survival and education, making the selected letters correct. |
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| Q24 | B / D | send their animal keepers abroad Many zoos also work directly to educate conservation workers in other countries |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about zoos sending their animal keepers abroad to educate conservation workers in other countries. Answer Explanation: The answer says that some zoo staff travel to overseas locations to join teams in zoos and some teach people who are involved with conservation projects. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and D because the passage mentions zoos sending their staff abroad to educate conservation workers in other countries, aligning with the statement that some zoo staff travel to overseas locations and teach people involved in conservation projects. |
| Q25 | A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos. Still more only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos, or have wild populations that have been boosted by captive bred animals | Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage explains that some animals only live in zoos now, while others were brought back to the wild from zoos. This shows that zoos help keep animal species safe. Answer Explanation: The answer is two letters from A to E that show why zoos are good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes letters A and B because they talk about how zoos help animals live better lives and help save animals from becoming extinct. In the passage, it says that animals in zoos can live longer and safer than in the wild (A) and that zoos help to save animal species that are going extinct (B). |
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| Q26 | B / E | educating and informing the general population about these animals and their world so that they can assist or at least accept the need to be more environmentally conscious Still more only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos, or have wild populations that have been boosted by captive bred animals |
Excerpt/Passage Explanation: The passage talks about how zoos can help educate people about animals and nature to encourage them to be more considerate of the environment and the creatures living in the wild. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that the writer mentions the benefits of zoos in terms of increasing public awareness of environmental issues and raising animals for later release into the wild. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B (They can increase public awareness of environmental issues) and E (They can raise animals which can later be released into the wild) because the passage mentions how zoos play a role in educating people about animals and the environment, as well as how they contribute to wildlife conservation through breeding programs that help replenish wild populations. |