The Zebras’ long Walk across Africa Reading Answers

Mar 10, 2023

The Zebras’ long Walk across Africa Reading Answers contains 13 questions, and it is a topic belonging to the assessment system of IELTS general reading test. The Zebras’ long Walk across Africa Reading Answers has been taken from book called Cambridge IELTS 11 General training Student’s book with answers. In IELTS reading section, the nature of questions is such that candidates have to read a passage and provide answers from therein, it is to be attempted within 20 minutes. The Zebras’ long Walk across Africa Reading Answers contains the questions that ask the candidates to find information from the passage, assign heading to paragraphs, filling in the blanks etc. To practice more reading papers like that the candidates can refer to IELTS Reading Practice test.

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Section 1

Read the passage to answer the questions that follow

The Zebras’ long Walk across Africa Reading Answers

James Gifford investigates some interesting new research into migration patterns of zebras living in Botswana in southern Africa.

For any animal to travel over 270 km in Botswana partly across the sand and low bush terrain of the Kalahari Desert is a remarkable achievement. But to do so in 11 days and without any obvious motivation, as this zebra population does, is quite extraordinary. On average their journey involves an exhausting round-trip of 588 km – between the Makgadikgadi salt pan area and the Okavango river – making it second only to the great trek undertaken by the zebra herds in the Serengeti National Park. However, what is even more incredible still in my view is that until recently it was completely unheard of.

Hattie Bartlam, a researcher, discovered this migration while she was tracking zebra groups, officially known as harems, by the Okavango River for her PhD, Each harem consists of a stallion and his seven or eight mares with juvenile foals. There is no loyalty between zebras beyond this social group, though harems often gather together into so-called herds. For her study, Hattie had planned to compare the small-scale movement patterns of 11 different zebra herds in the area.

In December, when the annual rains had transformed the roads into rivers, Hattie was, therefore, more than a little surprised when she checked the data sent by the radio collars she fits to the zebras she is tracking to find that six of the harems were 270 km away on the edge of the Makgadikgadi, a huge mineral-rich area where salt has collected over the years as water evaporates in the heat. Then, when the last of the moisture from the rains had disappeared in May the following year, five of those harems came wearily back to the Okavango. This raised the question: why, despite a plentiful supply of food and water, were the zebras being drawn eastwards to the salt pans? Even more difficult to understand was what made six of the groups travel so far, while the other five remained by the Okavango.

This discovery created quite a buzz in the research community. I decided to visit Hattie and she explained that a century ago the large number of Botswana’s zebra and wildebeest herds and the resulting competition for grass made migration essential. One of the migration tracks went from the Okavango to Makgadikgadi. But in the late 1960s, giant fences were put up to stop foot and mouth and other diseases spreading between wildlife and domestic cattle. One of these went across the migration track. Though the animals could get round the obstacle, each leg of their journey would now be 200 km longer – an impossible distance given the lack of permanent water on the extended route. Even today, with the fence gone (it was taken down in 2004), there is dangerously little drinking water to support the zebras on the return journey to the Okavango.

As a zebra can live up to 20 years, the migration must have skipped at least one generation during the 40 or so years that the fences were up. This prompts another question: it has always been assumed that the young of social herbivores like zebras learn migratory behaviour from their parents, so how did the latest generation learn when and where to go? Not from their parents, who were prevented from migrating. Did they follow another species, such as elephants? We may never know.

Hattie’s data points to the conclusion that there are several zebra populations adopting different behaviour. The first, like the vast majority of the Okavango zebras, take it easy, spending the entire year by the river. The second group, 15,000-20,000 strong, work a bit harder. They divide their time between the Makgadikgadi salt pans and the Boteti River, which is reasonably nearby. They sometimes struggle to find water in the Boteti area during the dry season, often moving 30 km in search of fresh grazing. Their reward: the juicy grass around the Makgadikgadi after the rains. The final group of zebras, whose numbers are more modest (though as yet unknown), must surely be considered as among the animal kingdom’s most remarkable athletes. By moving between the Okavango and the salt pans, they enjoy the best of both worlds. But the price they pay is an extraordinary journey across Botswana.

Endangered species naturally tend to grab the headlines, so it’s refreshing for a relatively abundant animal like the zebra to be the centre of attention for once. Zebras are a vital part of the food chain: understanding their migration, in turn, helps us to interpret the movements of their predators, and Hattie’s research has shed light on the impact of fences on migratory animals. So what triggered her interest in zebras? She explains that it is easier to get funding to study exciting animals like lions. Crucial as that undoubtedly is, she believes that herbivores like zebras are key to understanding any ecosystem. The scientific community is fortunate that people like Hattie are willing to take the hard option.

Section 2

Solution with Explanation
Question 28-34:
The reading passage has seven sections, A-G
Choose the correct heading from the list of headings below.
Write the correct number i-x, in boxes 28-34 on your answer sheet

A decrease in the zebra population
An obstruction on the traditional route
An unknown species
Some confusing information
Staying permanently in the Makgadikgadi
Nearly a record in the zebra world
Three different ways of living
The original aim of the work
How was the information passed on?
Why is it important to study zebras?

Question 28:

Answer: vi
Supporting Sentence: For any animal to travel over 270 km in Botswana partly across the sand and low bush terrain of the Kalahari Desert is a remarkable achievement. But to do so in 11 days and without any obvious motivation, as this zebra population does, is quite extraordinary.
Keyword: remarkable achievement, extraordinary
Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, 2nd & 3rd line
Explanation: The usage of words like remarkable achievement and quite extraordinary points towards a record. These adjectives are attached to Zebra migration so it’s nearly a record in the Zebra world. Why nearly? Because there is no data mentioned to call it the best but it's still called remarkable and extraordinary.

Question 29:

Answer: viii
Supporting Sentence: For her study, Hattie had planned to compare the small-scale movement patterns of 11 different zebra herds in the area.
Keyword: study, planned
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 4th line
Explanation: The original aim of the work should be the heading of the second paragraph because Hattie’s plans are mentioned in the supporting sentence. The expression that Hattie “had” planned to compare shows that this isn’t being done but since it was in the plans, it would be an aim.

Question 30:

Answer: iv
Supporting Sentence: This raised the question: why, despite a plentiful supply of food and water, were the zebras being drawn eastwards to the salt pans? Even more difficult to understand was what made six of the groups travel so far, while the other five remained by the Okavango.
Keyword: question, difficult to understand
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 6th & 8th line
Explanation: Some confusing information is the heading for the third paragraph because it uses several question words but no answer is given. The usage of the expression “difficult to understand” also points to the fact the information is confusing.

Question 31:

Answer: ii
Supporting Sentence: But in the late 1960s, giant fences were put up to stop foot and mouth and other diseases spreading between wildlife and domestic cattle. One of these went across the migration track. Though the animals could get round the obstacle, each leg of their journey would now be 200 km longer – an impossible distance given the lack of permanent water on the extended route.
Keyword: obstacle, route
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, 6th & 8th line
Explanation: The heading, an obstacle to the traditional route, is suitable for the fourth paragraph. The supporting sentence talks about setting up a fence, animals getting round the obstacles. This means animals had a certain route and now they are getting around it due to an obstacle being there.

Question 32:

Answer: ix
Supporting Sentence: As a zebra can live up to 20 years, the migration must have skipped at least one generation during the 40 or so years that the fences were up. This prompts another question: it has always been assumed that the young of social herbivores like zebras learn migratory behaviour from their parents, so how did the latest generation learn when and where to go?
Keyword: how, learn
Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, 4th line
Explanation: How was the Information passed on? is an apt heading for the fifth paragraph. The supporting sentence talks about the fact at least one generation skipped migration but the latest generation knew the route. So, how did the information about the migration route be passed on to the next generation?

Question 33:

Answer: vii
Supporting Sentence: Hattie’s data points to the conclusion that there are several zebra populations adopting different behaviour. The first, like the vast majority of the Okavango zebras, take it easy, spending the entire year by the river. Their reward: the juicy grass around the Makgadikgadi after the rains. The final group of zebras, whose numbers are more modest (though as yet unknown), must surely be considered as among the animal kingdom’s most remarkable athletes.
Keyword: several, first, second, final
Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 7th line
Explanation: The sixth Paragraph talks about three different ways of living. The supporting sentence talks of zebra populations adopting different behaviour pointing towards different ways of living. The usage of words like first, second, and final means there are three different ways of living.

Question 34:

Answer: x
Supporting Sentence: Crucial as that undoubtedly is, she believes that herbivores like zebras are key to understanding any ecosystem.
Keyword: crucial, key, zebras
Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, 6th line
Explanation: Seventh paragraph talks about the importance of studying zebras. The supporting sentence calls the study of zebras undoubtedly crucial. It is also mentioned that zebras are key to understanding ecosystems, which makes them important.

Questions 35-37:
Complete the summary below
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 35-37 on your answer sheet.

Zebras tend to live together in small units, which experts call 35 ……… . Here, a male zebra has a charge of number of adult 36 ……… and their young. These units sometimes assemble in bigger groupings or 37 ……… but it is still clear that the zebras’ loyalty only extends to the small unit they live in.

Questions 35:

Answer: harems
Supporting Sentence: Hattie Bartlam, a researcher, discovered this migration while she was tracking zebra groups, officially known as harems, by the Okavango River for her PhD, each harem consists of a stallion and his seven or eight mares with juvenile foals.
Keyword: zebra groups
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 1st line
Explanation: The supporting sentence says that zebra groups are known as harems. Because that term is officially known which means experts call it that.

Questions 36:

Answer: mares
Supporting Sentence: Hattie Bartlam, a researcher, discovered this migration while she was tracking zebra groups, officially known as harems, by the Okavango River for her PhD, each harem consists of a stallion and his seven or eight mares with juvenile foals.
Keyword: stallion, juvenile foals
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 2nd & 3rd line
Explanation: There is a male zebra, seven to eight mares and their juvenile foals in a harem. It is to be noted that a stallion is an adult male zebra and a mare is an adult too but a female zebra.

Questions 37:

Answer: Herds
Supporting Sentence: There is no loyalty between zebras beyond this social group, though harems often gather together into so-called herds.
Keyword: gather together
Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, 5th line
Explanation: The herds are bigger groups as the supporting sentence says harems gather together to form herds. This means harems are smaller than herds which is why their gathering will form a bigger group.

Question 38-40:
Choose the correct letter A, B, C, or D
Write your answers in boxes 38-40 on your answer sheet.

How did Hattie feel when she heard some of the zebras had travelled so far?

(A) Annoyed because she would have to follow them to Makgadikgadi
(B) Disappointed that not all of them made it back to Okavango
(C) Frustrated as the rains had made the roads unusable
(D) Unsure as to their real motivation for going

Answer: D
Supporting Sentence: This raised the question: why, despite a plentiful supply of food and water, were the zebras being drawn eastwards to the salt pans?
Keyword: question, why
Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, 6th & 7th line
Explanation: Hattie was unsure as to their real motivation for going. It is evident from the supporting sentence which shows questions being asked but no answer is given.the fact that zebras will leave where resources are plentiful leaves hattie unsure about their motivations.

When describing the different Botswana Zebra populations, the writer indicates

(A) His admiration for the ones who migrate the furthest distance
(B) His sympathy for the ones who stay by the Okavango river
(C) His disbelief that those by the Boteti have difficulty finding food
(D) His anxiety that their migration patterns may not be able to continue

Answer: A
Supporting Sentence: Though the animals could get round the obstacle, each leg of their journey would now be 200 km longer – an impossible distance given the lack of permanent water on the extended route.
Keyword: impossible distance
Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, 7th line
Explanation: The writer is expressing admiration for the zebras migrating the furthest distance. It is evident from the supporting sentence because writer calls the distance impossible yet zebras are able to cover it.

What does writer suggest in the final paragraph?

(A) Too much time has been wasted on research into the predators like lions
(B) It is sometimes necessary to go against the trend in research matters
(C) Research will result in a ban on fences in areas where zebras live
(D) Research into animals which are not endangered will increase

Answer: B
Supporting Sentence: So, what triggered her interest in zebras? She explains that it is easier to get funding to study exciting animals like lions. Crucial as that undoubtedly is, she believes that herbivores like zebras are key to understanding any ecosystem. The scientific community is fortunate that people like Hattie are willing to take the hard option.
Keyword: exciting, hard option
Keyword Location: Paragraph 7, 5th & 7th line
Explanation: The writer suggests that it is sometimes necessary to go against the trend. The supporting sentence says that it is easier to get funding for exciting animals like lions, which means zebras are not trending. The point is further driven by the fact that people like Hattie are willing to take the hard option. This means Hattie, who is studying zebras, is taking hard options in doing so, making zebras non-trendy. It's important to study them because they are a key to understanding any ecosystem.

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