Black Bears and Grizzlies in Canada Reading Answers

Apr 23, 2025

Black Bears and Grizzlies in Canada Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Black Bears and Grizzlies in Canada Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the question set you have to state whether the statement is true, false or not given according to the passage. In the next question set you have to choose the correct answer in no more than two words from the given passage.

The IELTS Reading section is an essential part of the test that evaluates a candidate's comprehension and analysis of various passage types. You will work through a number of IELTS reading practice problems in this section that resemble actual test situations. These questions are designed to help you improve your ability to recognize essential concepts, extract particular facts, and make inferences. Practicing Black Bears and Grizzlies in Canada IELTS reading problems can help you get comfortable with the structure and increase your confidence for the exam, regardless of whether you are studying for the Academic or General Training module.

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Section 1 BLACK BEARS AND GRIZZLIES IN CANADA

Black bears and grizzly bears are both found in North America, and, because they look quite similar to each other, are often confused. Although closely related, however, the two species are in fact quite distinct. Part of the confusion arises out of the fact that both species are characterised by considerable colour variations, and there are also variations in size and weight.

So using those criteria alone, it is not easy to make a confident identification. A large black bear, for example, could be either a black bear or a grizzly bear, and so could a smaller, paler individual.

Black bears have a wider geographic range than grizzlies, and can be found in every Canadian province except Prince Edward Island. Today, grizzlies are found only in western and far northern Canada and in small pockets of the western United States. Black bears are primarily adapted to forested areas and their edges and clearings. Although grizzly bears make substantial use of forested areas, they also make much more use of large, non-forested meadows and valleys than black bears do. Black bears have short, curved claws better suited to climbing trees than digging. In contrast, grizzly bears have longer, less curved claws and a larger shoulder muscle mass more suited to digging than climbing. This enables grizzlies to forage efficiently for foods which must be dug from the soil, such as roots, bulbs, corms and tubers, as well as to catch burrowing rodents. The primary difference between the dietary habits of black bears and grizzly bears is the amount of meat, fish and root foods eaten. Grizzly bears tend to be more carnivorous, whereas black bears eat more plant material.

A behavioural difference between black bears and grizzly bears is the length of time cubs are under their mother's care.Black bear cubs are born in the winter hibernation den, spend the summer following birth with their mother, stay with her in her den again in the fall, then separate from her early the next summer as yearlings, whereas grizzly bear cubs can spend up to three and a half years under their mother's care before separation.

Black bears are generally much less aggressive than grizzly bears and rely on their ability to climb trees to allow themselves and their cubs to escape predators such as wolves, grizzly bears or other black bears. Grizzly bears are more likely to rely on their size and aggressiveness to protect themselves and their cubs from predators or other perceived threats. One behavioural difference between the two varieties of bears is significant if you hike in the backcountry. There are two types of bear attacks, the defensive attack and the predatory attack. The former can occur when hikers are walking into the wind so that bears do not smell them coming.

If you come within three to six metres of a grizzly bear, and it suddenly notices you, he/she may react defensively and even attack out of response to a possible threat. This is especially likely if you disturb a mother grizzly bear and her cubs.

According to some experts, in this type of attack, you should play dead. This enforces the impression to the grizzly that you are not a threat and the bear most of ten walks away once the perceived threat is gone. The predatory attack, on the other hand, is most often launched by black bears; this is its natural method of hunting animals. While it is highly unlikely that people will be stalked by a predatory black bear, if they are, the recommended response is just the opposite to that for a defensive attack. Shout! Wave your arms and try to appear as large as possible. Don't run. If actually attacked, throw rocks at them. All bears prefer not to have to fight for their food, and if you put up a strong enough defence, they will likely leave you alone.

Questions

Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1?

In boxes 1-8 on your 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

1. It can be difficult to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly bear.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement:Part of the confusion arises out of the fact that both species are characterised by considerable colour variations,

Keywords: confusion, both species

Keyword Location: Para 1, Line 3

Explanation: The text states that because of their striking similarities, black and grizzly bears, which are both located in North America, are occasionally mistaken for each other. Despite their near relatedness, the two species are actually very different. The fact that both species exhibit significant color variations contributes to some of the misconceptions.

2. Grizzly bears have fewer colour variations than black bears.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement: both species are characterised by considerable colour variations,

Keywords: characterised, colour

Keyword Location: Para 1, Line 4

Explanation: According to the text, both the black and grizzly bears have various colour variations. Which means the black bear in comparison to the grizzly bears, does not have fewer color variations.

3. Black bears are generally heavier than grizzly bears.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement:and there are also variations in size and weight.

Keywords: variations, weight

Keyword Location: Para 1, Line 4

Explanation: According to the text both the black bear and grizzly bear have no to slight differences in their size. For instance, a massive black bear may be either a black bear or a grizzly bear, while a smaller, paler being may also be either.

4. Both types of bear can be found in forested areas.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement:Black bears are primarily adapted to forested areas and their edges and clearings. Although grizzly bears make substantial use of forested areas,

Keywords: bears, forested areas

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 3-4

Explanation: According to the text both the bears are used to living primarily in the forested areas

5. Generally, black bears are better at digging than grizzly bears.

Answer: FALSE

Supporting statement:Black bears have short, curved claws better suited to climbing trees than digging. In contrast, grizzly bears

Keywords: short, climbing

Keyword Location: Para 2, Lines 6–7

Explanation: The text mentions that the black bears are better at climbing trees than digging because of their short, curled claws. Grizzly bears, on the other hand, are more adapted for digging than climbing because of their greater shoulder muscles and longer, less curled claws.

6. Both types of bear eat fish in preference to other foods.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text has no mention about both the black bears and grizzly bears preferring to eat fish.

7. The diet of grizzly bears includes a larger proportion of meat.

Answer: TRUE

Supporting statement:Grizzly bears tend to be more carnivorous, whereas black bears eat more plant material.

Keywords: carnivorous, plant

Keyword Location: Para 2, Line 12

Explanation: The text states that In terms of the quantity of meat, fish, and root foods consumed, black bears and grizzly bears have quite different eating habits. Black bears consume more plant matter, while grizzly bears are typically more carnivorous.

8. Both types of bear build a hibernation den.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The text contains no information about both the bear species building a hibernation den.

Questions 9-13

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.

9. What do black bears do if threatened by predators?

Answer: CLIMB TREES

Supporting statement:climb trees to allow themselves and their cubs to escape predators such as wolves, grizzly bears or other black bears.

Keywords: climb trees, predators

Keyword Location: Para 4, Line 2

Explanation: The text states that In order to protect themselves and their young from predators like wolves, grizzly bears, or other black bears, black bears will climb trees when they feel threatened.

10. What type of attack on humans is more typical of grizzly bears?

Answer: DEFENSIVE ATTACK

Supporting statement:If you come within three to six metres of a grizzly bear, and it suddenly notices you, he/she may react defensively and even attack out of response to a possible threat.

Keywords: defensively, attack

Keyword Location: Para 5, Line 1

Explanation: The grizzly bears may attack anyone in defense if they feel threatened by them.

11. What are people advised to do if a mother grizzly bear defending cubs attacks them?

Answer: PLAY DEAD

Supporting statement:According to some experts, in this type of attack, you should play dead.

Keywords: attack, play dead

Keyword Location: Para 6, Line 1

Explanation: According to the text, people are advised to play dead in case they come across a mother grizzly protecting her cubs, as they can attack you in case they feel threatened.

12. What shouldn't people do if a predatory black bear threatens them?

Answer: RUN

Supporting statement:Don't run. If actually attacked

Keywords: run, attacked

Keyword Location: Para 6, Line 7

Explanation: The text states that you should run in case you are being attacked by a predatory black.

13. What weapons should you use to counter a black bear attack?

Answer: ROCKS

Supporting statement: throw rocks at them. All bears prefer not to have to fight for their food,

Keywords: rocks, fight

Keyword Location: Para 6, Line 7

Explanation: The text states that if you encounter a black bear, you should throw rocks at them as they will not fight back and go away.