Biodiversity Reading Answers

Dec 8, 2022

Biodiversity Reading Answers is an IELTS reading topic that highlights the aspects associated with living things such as flora and fauna and its importance. This topic comprises a total of 13 questions that are required to be answered within 20 minutes. Biodiversity Reading Answers comprises of question types such as; true/false/not given and no more than two words. True/false/not given can be solved by remembering the cases presented in the IELTS reading passage. Moreover, a thorough reading can help with answering questions related to no more than two words. For all the questions candidates will find appropriate cues. Candidates must ensure that they strictly abide by the word limits mentioned and not exceed them. There are numerous topics found in IELTS reading practice papers for practice.

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Reading Passage Questions

It seems biodiversity has become a buzzword beloved of politicians, conservationists, protesters and scientists alike. But what exactly is it? The Convention on Biological Diversity, an international agreement to conserve and share the planet’s biological riches, provides a good working definition: biodiversity comprises every form of life, from the smallest microbe to the largest animal or plant, the genes that give them their specific characteristics and the ecosystems of which they are apart.
In October, the World Conservation Union (also known as the IUCN) published its updated Red List of Threatened Species, a roll call of 11,167 creatures facing extinction – 121 more than when the list was last published in 2000. But the new figures almost certainly underestimate the crisis. Some 1.2 million species of animals and 270,000 species of plants have been classified, but the well-being of only a fraction has been assessed. The resources are simply not available. The RJCN reports that 5714 plants are threatened, for example, but admits that only 4 per cent of known plants have been assessed. And, of course, there are thousands of species that we have yet to discover. Many of these could also be facing extinction.
It is important to develop a picture of the diversity of life on Earth now so that comparisons can be made in the future and trends identified. But it isn’t necessary to observe every single type of organism in an area to get a snapshot of the health of the ecosystem. In many habitats, there are species that are particularly susceptible to shifting conditions, and these can be used as indicator species.
In the media, it is usually large, charismatic animals such as pandas, elephants, tigers and whales that get all the attention when the loss of biodiversity is discussed. However, animals or plants far lower down the food chain are often the ones vital for preserving habitats – in the process saving the skins of those more glamorous species. These are known as keystone species.
By studying the complex feeding relationships within habitats, species can be identified that have a particularly important impact on the environment. For example, the members of the fig family are the staple food for hundreds of different species in many different countries, so important that scientists sometimes call figs “jungle burgers”. A whole range of animals, from tiny insects to birds and large mammals, feed on everything from the tree’s bark and leaves to its flowers and fruits. Many fig species have very specific pollinators. There are several dozen species of fig trees in Costa Rica, and a different type of wasp has evolved to pollinate each one. Chris Lyle of the Natural History Museum in London – who is also involved in the Global Taxonomy Initiative of the Convention on Biological Diversity – points out that if fig trees are affected by global warming, pollution, disease or any other catastrophe, the loss of biodiversity will be enormous.
Similarly, sea otters play a major role in the survival of giant kelp forests along the coasts of California and Alaska. These “marine rainforests” provide a home for a wide range of other species. The kelp itself is the main food of purple and red sea urchins and in turn, the urchins are eaten by predators, particularly sea otters. They detach an urchin from the seabed then float to the surface and lie on their backs with the urchin shell on their tummy, smashing it open with a stone before eating the contents. Urchins that are not eaten tend to spend their time in rock crevices to avoid the predators. This allows the kelp to grow – and it can grow many centimeters in a day. As the forests form, bits of kelp break off and fall to the bottom to provide food for the urchins in their crevices. The sea otters thrive hunting for sea urchins in the kelp, and many other fish and invertebrates live among the fronds. The problems start when the sea otter population declines. As large predators they are vulnerable – their numbers are relatively small so disease or human hunters can wipe them out. The result is that the sea urchin population grows unchecked and they roam the seafloor eating young kelp fronds. This tends to keep the kelp very short and stops forests developing, which has a huge impact on biodiversity.
Conversely, keystone species can also make dangerous alien species: they can wreak havoc if they end up in the wrong ecosystem. The cactus moth, whose caterpillar is a voracious eater of prickly pear was introduced to Australia to control the rampant cacti. It was so successful that someone thought it would be a good idea to introduce it to the Caribbean islands that had the same problem. It solved the cactus menace, but unfortunately, some of the moths have now reached the US mainland – borne on winds and in tourists’ luggage – where they are devastating the native cactus populations of Florida.
Organizations like the Convention on Biological Diversity work with groups such as the UN and with governments and scientists to raise awareness and fund research. A number of major international meetings – including the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg this year – have set targets for governments around the world to slow the loss of biodiversity. And the CITES meeting in Santiago last month added several more names to its list of endangered species for which trade is controlled. Of course, these agreements will prove of limited value if some countries refuse to implement them.
There is cause for optimism, however. There seems to be a growing understanding of the need for sustainable agriculture and sustainable tourism to conserve biodiversity. Problems such as illegal logging are being tackled through sustainable forestry programs, with the emphasis on minimizing the use of rainforest hardwoods in the developed world and on rigorous replanting of whatever trees are harvested. CITES is playing its part by controlling trade in wood from endangered tree species. In the same way, sustainable farming techniques that minimize environmental damage and avoid monoculture.
Action at a national level often means investing in public education and awareness. Getting people like you and me involved can be very effective. Australia and many European countries are becoming increasingly efficient at recycling much of their domestic waste, for example, preserving natural resources and reducing the use of fossil fuels. This, in turn, has a direct effect on biodiversity by minimizing pollution, and an indirect effect by reducing the number of greenhouse gases emitted from incinerators and landfill sites. Preserving ecosystems intact for future generations to enjoy is obviously important, but biodiversity is not some kind of optional extra. Variety may be “the spice of life”, but biological variety is also our life-support system.

Reading passage has 10 sections, A-J

Does the information in the Reading Passage accord with the following statements?

True if the statement is correct
False if the statement is incorrect
Not Given if the statement is not in the given passage

Questions 14-20

Question 14: The term “biodiversity” consists of living creatures and the environment that they live in

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: As clearly stated in Section A, as defined by The Convention on Biological Diversity, ‘Biodiversity comprises every form of life, from the smallest microbe to the largest animal or plant, the genes that give them their specific characteristics and the ecosystems of which they are apart.
Keywords: Biodiversity
Keyword location: Section A, fourth line
Explanation: The statement is accurate because biodiversity encompasses all forms of life, from tiniest microorganisms to largest plants and animals, as well as the ecosystems to which they belong.

Question 15: There are species that have not been researched because it’s unnecessary to study all creatures

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: Some 1.2 million species of animal and 270,000 species of plant are classified but the well- being of only a fraction has been assessed. The resources are simply not available
Keywords: unnecessary, researched
Keyword location: Section B, fourth line
Explanation: There are 270,000 species of plants and 1.2 million species of animals that have been classified, according to the global conversation. Extinction is a threat that is getting closer. However, there aren't enough resources available to conduct research.

Question 16: It is not necessary to investigate all creatures in a certain place

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: However, not every type of organism in a location needs to be observed in order to get an overview of the ecosystem's health. Species that are particularly vulnerable to changing environmental conditions can be used as indicator species in a variety of habitats.
Keyword: observe
Keyword location: Section C, second line
Explanation: This assertion is true since not all living things must be observed in order to gauge an ecosystem's health. Many of the habitats contain various organisms that are susceptible to shifting environmental circumstances and can be used as indicator species.

Question 17: The press more often than not focuses on animals well- known

Answer: True
Supporting Sentence: In the media, it is usually large, charismatic animals such as pandas, elephants, tigers and whales that get all the attention when a loss of biodiversity is discussed.
Keyword: Media
Keyword location: Section D, first line
Explanation: Unfortunately, when discussing the harm done to biodiversity, the media always chooses to focus on the large animals, such as pandas or whales. Actually, it is the much lower-ranking animals and plants in the food chain that contribute to the preservation of our natural habitat. thereby preserving the more well-liked species. These species are referred to as keystone species.

Question 18: There is a successful case that cactus moth plays a positive role in the US

Answer: False
Supporting Sentence: It eliminated the cactus threat, but regrettably some of the moths have now crossed into the US mainland, transported by travelers' luggage and flying insects, decimating Florida's native cactus populations.
Keyword: Cactus
Keyword location: Section G, fifth line
Explanation: It is inappropriate. The issue of too many cacti in Australia was resolved by the cactus moth, whose caterpillar eats prickly pear. The same problem with cacti was solved when this experiment was tried in the Caribbean islands, but sadly, the US is now dealing with a terrible infestation of moths that have spread to the mainlands through the wind and in traveller luggage, where they are currently destroying the native cactus in Florida. For the United States, this trial ended up being a failure.

Question 19: Usage of hardwoods is forbidden in some European countries

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: No relevant information regarding this qyuestion was found in the reading passage.

Question 20: Agriculture experts advise farmers to plant single crops in the field in terms of sustainable farming

Answer: Not Given
Explanation: No relevant information regarding this qyuestion was found in the reading passage.

Questions 21-26

In this section, the following summary of the paragraphs of Reading Passage need to be completed, using no more that two words from the Reading Passage for each answer

Question 21:

Answer: Keystone
Supporting Sentence: in the process saving the skins of those more glamorous species. They are known as keystone species
Keyword: Keystone, species,
Keyword location: Section D, fourth line
Explanation: Media frequently fail to mention the important species that support habitat preservation. When talking about the decline in biodiversity, they consistently use the same narrative, glorifying larger animals like whales and pandas. The keystone species have ideally been defending our ecosystem from further harm. Because they are so far down the food chain, these species don't receive the attention they should.

Question 22:

Answer: Fig family/figs
Supporting Sentence: For example, the members of the fig family are the staple food for hundreds of different species in many different countries, so important that scientists sometimes call figs “jungle burgers
Keyword: fig family, staple, species
Keyword location: Section E, second line
Explanation: It is now clear which species have an effect on the environment thanks to research on intricate feeding relationships within habitats. Figs are sometimes referred to as "jungle burgers" and serve as a staple food for many species in many different nations.

Question 23:

Answer: Sea Urchins(urchins)
Supporting Sentence: As large predators they are vulnerable – their numbers are relatively small to disease or human hunters can wipe them out. The result is that the sea urchin population grows unchecked and they roam the seafloor eating young kelp fronds. This tends to keep the kelp very short and stops forests developing, which has a huge impact on biodiversity.
Keyword: predators, sea urchins,
Keyword location: Section F, thirteenth line
Explanation: Large predators like sea otters leave them open to attack. They are fairly few and are quickly killed off by human hunters. Due to their unchecked growth, sea urchins become overpopulated on the seafloor and eventually start eating young kelp fronds. This results in short kelp and prevents forest growth, which has a significant negative impact on biodiversity.

Question 24:

Answer: Cactus moth
Supporting Sentence: The cactus moth, whose caterpillar is a voracious eater of prickly pear, was introduced to Australia to control the rampant cacti. It was so successful that someone thought it would be a good idea to introduce it to Caribbean islands that had the same problem.
Keyword: cactus moth, rampant, Caribbean islands
Keyword location: Section G, second line
Explanation: The cactus moths, who consume a lot of pears, contributed to keeping cacti from growing out of control. A successful experiment was conducted.

Question 25:

Answer: Australia
Supporting Sentence: The cactus moth, whose caterpillar is a voracious eater of prickly pear, was introduced to Australia to control the rampant cacti.
Keyword: Australia, rampant, cactii
Keyword location: Section G, third line
Explanation: The unchecked growth of cacti was successfully curbed by the cactus moth. This assisted in halting additional rampages.

Question 26:

Answer: Public education
Supporting Sentence: Action at a national level often means investing in public education and awareness
Keyword: action, public education
Keyword location: Section J, first line
Explanation: This demonstrates unequivocally the need for the federal government to invest in public awareness and education programs. People must participate, which might advance the cause.

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