Many applicants aim for high scores in the IELTS reading responses section. The paragraphs in the IELTS reading exam are notoriously long. Candidates risk wasting time if they read each and every line of all the paragraphs. S canning, skimming, guessing, and deleting incorrect answers in a short period of time are efficient and effective methods that will allow you to answer the most questions in the shortest amount of time. To help you practice, here is a reading passage topic for you: Why zoos are good?
Why Zoos are Good IELTS Reading Answers
In the following sections, you will find the topic and some solved question types for your practice. There are three question types in this article: fill in the gaps, vocabulary and true or false. Try solving them on your own before looking at the answers.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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.
Why Zoos are Good Section 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. This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work. 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. 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.
Why Zoos are Good Sample Questions with Answers
Fill in The Gap Questions
Q. 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_______.
Ans. jaws of a predator.
Q.Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world, and many more are increasingly threatened and therefore risk _______.
Ans. extinction.
Q. Many children and adults, especially those in cities, will never see a wild animal beyond a _______.
Ans. fox or pigeon.
Q. Zoos also play a key role in _______.
Ans. research.
Q. Finding out about, for example, the oestrus cycle of an animal of its breeding rate helps us manage ________.
Ans. wild populations.
Vocabulary Questions
Q. Synonym of Magnify
Ans. Expand
Q. Synonym of Baffle
Ans. Confuse
Q. Synonym of Fair
Ans. Just
Q. Synonym of Hypocrisy
Ans. Duplicity
Q. Synonym of Pacify
Ans. Appease
Q. Synonym of Recalcitrant
Ans. Obstinate
Q. Synonym of Weak
Ans. Frail
Q. Synonym of Abstract
Ans. Summary
Q. Synonym of Beneficial
Ans. Favourable
Q. Synonym of Colossal
Ans. Immense
Q. Antonym of Abundant
Ans. Scarce
Q. Antonym of Intrepid
Ans. Cowardly
Q. Antonym of Grumpy
Ans. Amiable
Q. Antonym of Tranquil
Ans. Excitable
Q. Antonym of Boundless
Ans. Limited
Q. Antonym of Bashful
Ans. Bold
Q. Antonym of Detrimental
Ans. Beneficial
Q. Antonym of Eccentric
Ans. Ordinary
Q. Antonym of Bewitch
Ans. Repel
Q. Antonym of Fallacious
Ans. True
True or False Questions
Q. Zoos also play a key role in research.
Ans. True.
Q. If we are to save wild species and restore and repair ecosystems we need to know about how key species live, act and react.
Ans. True.
Q. Zoos cannot provide education.
Ans. False
Q. Zoos can help in animal conflicts.
Ans. True
IELTS Preparation Reading Topics
Here is a list of reading passage topics that you can practice for your IELTS exam:
# Why Do We Need to Protect Polar Bears?
# All Tomato Ripening
# Right and Left Handedness in Humans
# Beyond the Blue Horizon
# The Autumn Leaves
# The Context, Meaning, and Scope of Tourism
# Impact of Wilderness Tourism
# Dyslexia
# Tourism
# What is Exploration?
Conclusion
To crush your IELTS preparation, read as many reading passages as you can and try to solve as many problems as you can within the timeframe. The passage above can also be used as a wonderful source of practice.
IELTS Ninja is your hub for all IELTS preparing tips and tricks. Our articles and blogs will advise you on what you should and should not do. Click here to check out the top-class courses of IELTS Ninja.
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