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Savanna Rain: The Lifeblood of Grassland Ecosystem Reading Answers

Bhaskar Das

Sep 16, 2025

Savanna Rain: The Lifeblood of Grassland Ecosystem Reading Answers contain 14 questions and belong to the assessment system of the IELTS General Reading test. Savanna Rain: The Lifeblood of Grassland Ecosystem Reading Answers must be answered within 20 minutes. In this IELTS reading section, question types include: Write the correct letter and Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.

Savanna Rain: The Lifeblood of Grassland Ecosystem Reading Answers offers a comprehensive overview of Savanna rain, with its seasonal wet and dry cycles, which sustains biodiversity, shapes animal migration, supports human life, and faces growing challenges from climate change, making its protection vital for ecosystem balance. To practice similar reading tests, candidates can refer to the IELTS Reading Practice Test section.

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Topic:

A.The savanna is a unique biome characterized by vast grasslands dotted with occasional trees and shrubs. Found primarily in Africa, South America, Australia, and India, savannas cover approximately 20% of the Earth’s land surface. One of the most critical features sustaining these ecosystems is the pattern and amount of rainfall, commonly referred to as savanna rain. This seasonal rainfall profoundly influences the survival of plants, animals, and the overall health of the environment.

B.Unlike tropical rainforests that receive consistent rainfall year-round, savannas experience a distinct wet and dry season. The wet season typically lasts between three to six months, during which time the majority of the annual precipitation falls. This rain triggers a remarkable burst of plant growth, turning the landscape from dusty and brown into lush green fields. The dry season follows, often bringing harsh conditions such as drought, high temperatures, and increased fire risk.

C.The timing and quantity of savanna rain vary considerably depending on geographical location and altitude. For example, African savannas near the equator tend to have more predictable and slightly longer wet seasons, while savannas located farther from the equator, such as those in southern Africa or Australia, experience shorter and more irregular rainfall periods. These variations influence the types of vegetation that can thrive and the animal species adapted to each region.

D.Savanna rain plays an essential role in shaping the ecosystem’s biodiversity. During the wet season, grasses grow rapidly, providing abundant food for herbivores such as zebras, antelopes, and elephants. These herbivores, in turn, support predator populations including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas. The availability of water also allows birds to breed and amphibians to emerge, increasing the diversity of life during this time.

E.Moreover, the wet season’s rainwater replenishes rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers that sustain life throughout the dry months. Many savanna animals depend on these water sources during the dry season when surface water becomes scarce. Some species migrate long distances following the rainfall patterns to find fresh grazing lands and water, showcasing the critical relationship between savanna rain and animal movement.

F.Despite its benefits, savanna rain can also lead to challenges such as flooding and soil erosion. Intense downpours in a short period can wash away fertile topsoil, reducing land productivity. Local communities that rely on agriculture often face difficulties in managing water resources and protecting crops from damage caused by unpredictable rainfall patterns.

G.Climate change poses an additional threat to the savanna rainfall cycle. Rising global temperatures have altered precipitation patterns in many savanna regions, making wet seasons shorter or more intense and dry seasons longer. These changes disrupt the delicate balance of savanna ecosystems, threatening plant growth, animal survival, and the livelihoods of people who depend on them.

H.In response, scientists and conservationists are closely monitoring savanna rain through satellite monitoring and climate modeling. This research aims to predict rainfall trends more accurately and develop strategies to protect these vital ecosystems. Efforts also include promoting sustainable agricultural practices like soil erosion control and water conservation, helping communities adapt to changing conditions.

I.In conclusion, savanna rain is much more than a seasonal weather pattern; it is the lifeblood of one of the planet’s most important ecosystems. Its rhythms dictate the cycles of growth and scarcity, and influence the balance between plants, animals, and humans. Protecting the integrity of these rain cycles is crucial for the continued health of these grassland regions and the people who call them home.

Questions 27-33

Match the following features with the correct paragraph (A-I). Write the correct letter for each question.

27. The relationship between animal migration and rainfall patterns

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “Some species migrate long distances following the rainfall patterns to find fresh grazing lands and water.”

Keywords: migrate, rainfall patterns, grazing lands, water

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 4

Explanation: Paragraph E clearly links animal migration with rainfall patterns, showing dependence on water and fresh grazing availability.

28. The dual nature of rain as beneficial but potentially harmful

Answer: F

Supporting statement: “Despite its benefits, savanna rain can also lead to challenges such as flooding and soil erosion.”

Keywords: benefits, challenges, flooding, soil erosion

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 1

Explanation: Rain helps sustain ecosystems but also causes problems like soil erosion, making it both positive and negative.

29. Differences in rainfall patterns based on geographic factors

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “African savannas near the equator… have more predictable wet seasons, while savannas farther… experience shorter and irregular rainfall periods.”

Keywords: equator, predictable, shorter, irregular rainfall

Keyword Location: Paragraph C, lines 2–4

Explanation: Paragraph C highlights how location and altitude create differences in rainfall timing and amount.

30. The effect of rainfall on predator-prey relationships

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “During the wet season, grasses grow rapidly, providing food for herbivores… These herbivores, in turn, support predator populations including lions, cheetahs, and hyenas.”

Keywords: herbivores, predators, wet season, food chain

Keyword Location: Paragraph D, lines 1–4

Explanation: Paragraph D links rainfall → plant growth → herbivores → predators, showing how rain shapes predator-prey balance.

31. Efforts to predict and manage changes in rainfall due to climate change

Answer: H

Supporting statement: “Scientists and conservationists are closely monitoring savanna rain through satellite monitoring and climate modeling… develop strategies to protect ecosystems.”

Keywords: monitoring, satellite, climate modeling, strategies

Keyword Location: Paragraph H, lines 1–3

Explanation: Paragraph H shows how research and management strategies are used to cope with rainfall changes.

32. Seasonal characteristics of rainfall in savannas compared to rainforests

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “Unlike tropical rainforests that receive consistent rainfall year-round, savannas experience a distinct wet and dry season.”

Keywords: unlike rainforests, consistent rainfall, distinct wet and dry

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 1

Explanation: Paragraph B directly contrasts savanna rainfall with rainforest rainfall patterns.

33. The importance of rainfall in replenishing water resources during dry periods

Answer: E

Supporting statement: “The wet season’s rainwater replenishes rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers that sustain life throughout the dry months.”

Keywords: replenish, rivers, lakes, aquifers, dry months

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, lines 1–2

Explanation: Paragraph E stresses rainfall’s role in refilling water resources needed during the dry season.

Questions 34-40

Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.

Savannas cover about (34).........................

Answer: 20% of the Earth’s land surface

Supporting statement: “Savannas cover approximately 20% of the Earth’s land surface.”

Keywords: savannas, 20%, Earth’s land surface

Keyword Location: Paragraph A, line 2

Explanation: The passage directly mentions that savannas cover about one-fifth of the Earth’s land surface, highlighting their vast distribution.

of the Earth's surface and depend on a cycle of wet and dry seasons. The wet season, which can last from three to six months, brings a rapid growth of (35).........................,

Answer: grasses

Supporting statement: “This rain triggers a remarkable burst of plant growth, turning the landscape… into lush green fields.”

Keywords: rain, plant growth, lush green fields

Keyword Location: Paragraph B, line 3

Explanation: Rainfall causes grasses to grow rapidly, which is vital for herbivores’ survival in the savanna ecosystem.

essential for herbivores. The rainwater also refills (36)...........,

Answer: rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers

Supporting statement: “The wet season’s rainwater replenishes rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers that sustain life throughout the dry months.”

Keywords: replenish, rivers, lakes, underground aquifers

Keyword Location: Paragraph E, line 1

Explanation: Rainfall refills natural water sources, ensuring survival during the dry season when surface water is scarce.

crucial for survival in dry periods. Variations in rainfall can lead to (37)...............,

Answer: soil erosion

Supporting statement: “Intense downpours in a short period can wash away fertile topsoil, reducing land productivity.”

Keywords: intense downpours, wash away, topsoil

Keyword Location: Paragraph F, line 2

Explanation: Heavy rains can cause soil erosion, damaging farmland and reducing agricultural productivity.

which negatively affects agriculture. Global warming is causing the wet seasons to become (38)..................

Answer: shorter

Supporting statement: “Rising global temperatures have altered precipitation patterns… making wet seasons shorter or more intense.”

Keywords: global temperatures, wet seasons, shorter

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, line 2

Explanation: Climate change is making wet seasons shorter, disrupting the normal savanna cycle.

or (39)...........................

Answer: more intense

Supporting statement: “Rising global temperatures… making wet seasons shorter or more intense.”

Keywords: wet seasons, more intense, climate change

Keyword Location: Paragraph G, line 2

Explanation: Wet seasons may also become more intense, increasing risks like flooding.

and the dry seasons to grow longer, disrupting the ecosystem balance. Scientists use (40).......................

Answer: satellite monitoring

Supporting statement: “Scientists and conservationists are closely monitoring savanna rain through satellite monitoring and climate modeling.”

Keywords: scientists, monitoring, satellite, climate modeling

Keyword Location: Paragraph H, line 1

Explanation: Researchers use satellite monitoring to predict rainfall more accurately and manage savanna ecosystems.

and climate modeling to improve rainfall predictions.

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