Australia Invaded from Abroad Reading Answers

Jan 5, 2026

The answers for "Australia Invaded from Abroad Reading Answers" include 10 questions and are part of the assessment framework for the IELTS General Reading test. Candidates are allotted 20 minutes to complete the reading responses concerning "Australia Invaded from Abroad Reading Answers." This portion of the IELTS reading exam consists of various question formats, including Do the following statements agree, and choosing the appropriate letters.

The answers for "Australia Invaded from Abroad Reading Answers" offer a comprehensive overview of the passage, explaining how Australia’s unique wildlife evolved in isolation and why it is highly vulnerable to invasive species introduced through global trade and human activity. It outlines the environmental and economic damage caused by these species and describes government efforts to control them. For additional practice with similar reading assessments, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Australia Invaded from Abroad Reading Answers

A.The interconnectedness of the global economy has brought many benefits to Australia. Transportation connections to the rest of the world allow for the export of natural resources. These links to the outside world also bring in other goods as well as people, both immigrants needed for the labor force and tourists. If not for these developments, Australia would not be the prosperous society it is. However, other plant and animal species can also accompany these movements. Most of them do not pose a threat to the indigenous wildlife, but sometimes they proliferate, harming the existing ecosystem of Australia. Since the Australian economy is dependent on trade with the rest of the world, government, corporations, and individuals must minimize the introduction of species that threaten the environment and effectively manage those invasive ones already present.

B.The indigenous flora and fauna of Australia exhibit some unique characteristics among life on Earth. Animals such as the kangaroo, koala, and platypus are known throughout the world. Most of the world's marsupial species are found there. The most notable features of larger marsupials are special pouches in the mother animals where the young suckle. They are born only after a few weeks and the embryo-like baby must crawl unaided into the pouch and attach itself to the teat for sustenance. This method of birth offers an advantage over placental mammals, like humans, in that the mother is not at great risk from giving birth. The exit of the embryo from the mother is not traumatic and if there is any scarcity while the embryo is still attached to the teat, the young animal dies and the mother produces another one. Australia is also where nearly all monotremes exist. Monotremes, like the platypus and echidna, are similar to other mammals in that they have hair and produce milk for their young, but they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live babies.

C.According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, nearly 80 percent of the continent's indigenous animals and flowering plants are unique to it, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. The geologic history of plate tectonics explains how this came to be. About 250 million years ago, there existed a supercontinent called Pangaea whose southeastern portion was composed of what is now Australia. This southern part of Pangaea started to break apart and by about 35 million years ago, Australia separated from what is now Antarctica. Unlike the other parts of the old supercontinent, Australia remains separate from other major landmasses and also has a climate where its unique animal and plant species can survive.

D.Unfortunately, with the arrival of non-native visitors from Europe, many invasive species were introduced. The first of these vectors were sailing ships with animals stowed away in their holds, as well as settlers and colonists who brought their own animals and plants with them. The environment of Australia makes it the driest inhabited continent on Earth, so the arrival of non-indigenous species makes it hard for other animals and plants to survive.

In modern times container ships, airplanes, and people desiring exotic plants or pets have been other vectors for the introduction of new species.

Sometimes, in order to control a weed or pest animal, authorities have deliberately propagated a non-indigenous species with disastrous results. The current cane toad infestation in Australia is a result of poor planning in trying to control a type of beetle. The cane toad shunned eating that particular insect pest and, instead, has wreaked enormous havoc on other indigenous species.

E.The government has implemented a variety of controls to combat invasive animals. Any method, though, has its limits given the scale of the problem and the variety of limiting factors involved. The red fox is controlled through government bounties, poisoning, and fencing. Shooting animals from helicopters is another method that is more practical for larger animals that congregate in herds, like feral goats and camels. An early attempt at invasive species control in the 1950's used a virus that affected only wild rabbits. It was a mostly successful effort, killing over 90% of them, according to the Australian Department of Environment and Water Resources. Unfortunately, they are still present throughout most of the country, albeit in greatly reduced numbers, since some rabbits developed a resistance to the virus. Another method with potential is the use of sterile animals released into the wild to disrupt a species' reproductive cycle.

F.Some of these methods are controversial because of their possible impact on indigenous species and questions about their humaneness. There is no question about the economic impact of invasive species, though; weed plant management alone costs Australia about AUD$4 billion a year.

The proliferation of destructive species affects industries like agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Through careful regulation and environmental stewardship, Australians can mitigate the impact of these unwelcome plants and animals.

QUESTIONS 16 - 20

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 2?

In boxes 16-20 write:

YES - if the statement agrees with the writer

NO - if the statement contradicts the writer

NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the

writer thinks about this

16. Globalization is one factor that causes invasive species to be introduced into Australia.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Transportation connections to the rest of the world allow for the export of natural resources… other plant and animal species can also accompany these movements.”

Keywords: global economy, transportation, species accompany

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, lines 1–4

Explanation:

The writer explains that global trade and transport connect Australia to the world. These connections unintentionally allow foreign species to enter the country. The movement of goods and people is directly linked to invasive species introduction. This clearly supports the statement. Therefore, the answer is YES.

17. The majority of marsupial species is found outside of Australia.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Most of the world’s marsupial species are found there.”

Keywords: most, marsupial species, found there

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 2

Explanation:

The statement claims most marsupials are found outside Australia. However, the passage explicitly says the opposite. Australia contains most of the world’s marsupial species. This directly contradicts the statement. Hence, the correct answer is NO.

18. New Zealand shares some plants and animals with Australia.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation:

The passage discusses Australia’s unique species and geological isolation. However, it does not mention New Zealand at all. There is no information about shared plants or animals. Since the writer’s view cannot be determined, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

19. The introduction of invasive species into Australia is always accidental.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “Authorities have deliberately propagated a non-indigenous species with disastrous results.”

Keywords: deliberately, propagated, non-indigenous

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, line 6

Explanation:The statement claims introductions are always accidental. The passage clearly states that some species were introduced deliberately. The cane toad is given as a direct example. This contradicts the statement. Therefore, the answer is NO.

20. The Department of Environment and Water Resources reports that wild rabbits were effectively eradicated in Australia.

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “They are still present throughout most of the country, albeit in greatly reduced numbers.”

Keywords: still present, reduced numbers

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 6–7

Explanation:

The statement says rabbits were eradicated. The passage states that although numbers dropped significantly, rabbits still exist. Eradication means complete removal, which did not occur. This contradicts the statement. Hence, the answer is NO.

QUESTIONS 21 - 22

Do the following statements agree with the views of the writer in Reading Passage 2?

YES - if the statement agrees with the writer

NO - if the statement contradicts the writer

NOT GIVEN - if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

21. Releasing sterile members of an invasive species into the wild has been shown to be an effective way to control them.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The writer mentions the method has potential. However, there is no evidence given that it has already been effective. The statement claims it has been shown to work. Since effectiveness is not confirmed, the answer is NOT GIVEN.

22. Australia can reduce the effect of invasive species through careful policy.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “Through careful regulation and environmental stewardship, Australians can mitigate the impact.”

Keywords: careful regulation, mitigate

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, last line

Explanation:

The writer clearly states that careful policies and stewardship can reduce the impact of invasive species. This directly supports the statement. The language is optimistic and solution-oriented. Therefore, the answer is YES.

QUESTIONS 23 - 25

Choose the appropriate letters A-D.

23. What reason do people have to settle in Australia and, thus, potentially bring invasive species?

A. to encourage the extinction of indigenous animal

B. to prevent globalization from taking place.

C. to contribute to the economy of Australia.

D. to help preserve the environment.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “Immigrants needed for the labor force and tourists.”

Keywords: immigrants, labor force

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 3

Explanation:

People settle in Australia to work and support economic growth. Their movement supports trade and prosperity. However, it can also bring invasive species. Option C accurately reflects the author’s explanation. Thus, C is correct.

24. Why do marsupials females give birth to undeveloped young?

A. to increase the chances of the offspring surviving

B. to better provide food and energy to the baby animal

C. to save space in the pouch where they are raised

D. to minimize risk to the mother

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “The mother is not at great risk from giving birth.”

Keywords: not at great risk, mother

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, lines 6–7

Explanation:

The passage explains that marsupial birth is safer for the mother. Giving birth early reduces trauma. This advantage is specifically mentioned. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

25. What phrase best describes the author's opinions on invasive species?

A. must be dealt with in a thoughtful manner

B. an inconvenience that is necessary

C. have to be eradicated at all cost

D. are not really a problem in Australia

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “Government, corporations, and individuals must minimize… and effectively manage.”

Keywords: manage, mitigate, careful regulation

Keyword Location: Paragraphs A and F

Explanation:

The writer does not call for extreme eradication. Instead, a balanced and careful approach is emphasized. Management and regulation are repeated themes. This matches option A best. Hence, A is correct.

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