Uncovering Ecological Treasure Reading Answers

Aug 14, 2024

Uncovering ecological Treasure Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Uncovering Ecological Treasure Reading Answers has a total of 13 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct option among the given choices. In the next section, you have to tell whether the statement is true or false. In the next section, you have to fill in the blanks.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Uncovering Ecological Treasure Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

UNCOVERING ECOLOGICAL TREASURE

THE MAJESTY OF THE BUNGLES

The Purnululu National Park occupies almost 240,000 hectares of Western Australia and is a stunning example of nature at its finest. The park has become internationally renowned, in part due to large sandstone formations, commonly known as the Bungle Bungle range. You would think that knowledge of formations like this would be widespread, yet the area has only recently been discovered and exposed to the wider world. Although indigenous communities have roamed the area for over 20,000 years and understand and respect the area, it wasn't until 1982, when aerial photography captured the formations, that the beauty of the Bungles was revealed to the world. As scientists, we were extremely excited about this new-found location and were keen to explore it. Around 20 years later, in 2003, the site was rightfully classified as a World Heritage Site, meaning that we could protect and conserve the area. The main features of the Bungles are the magnificent dome-shaped formations made from sandstone. Other sandstone formations have been found all over the world, and in other parts of Australia, but the Bungles are truly remarkable. The main reason why these particular sandstone formations are incredible is because they are the best example of beehive-shaped, natural structures anywhere in the world. The sheer expanse of them remains unsurpassed, while their colours and ecological features are unrivalled

What we are not completely certain about is how exactly they were formed, although we estimate that they began forming around 350 million years ago and that they were part of a riverbed, with layers that were created over the millennia. We know that they have been weathered and eroded by water as well as wind to create their impressive shapes, but their exact formation remains a mystery. The structures are an extremely important scientific discovery, as they highlight the process of their formation, even though we have yet to fully understand it. We have only recently discovered the effect of dome formation on sandstone. What we can see is evidence of the effect that ecology biology, erosion, and climate have on sandstone and this is something we will be investigating for many years to come. The Bungles are unique in their range of diversity, so there is a vast amount of research to be completed. The colours of the structures are outstanding. The striking orange and black pigments have become characteristically part of the Bungle charm. When the iron in the sandstone oxidises, it creates the stunning orange colour that can be seen, in what is called the 'rusting' process

This part of the rock is liable to dry out more quickly because it has less clay content, which means that bacteria which protect it from oxidisation cannot grow properly. In contrast, some of the layers are dark; these areas contain more clay, which retains moisture, meaning the bacteria can protect these layers from erosion and oxidisation. However, possibly the most exciting thing about the colours is the changes they undergo in different lighting conditions. Rays from the sun hit the rocks at different angles creating a variety of hues which are just astonishing. Add in the shadows created by the sun and the spectacle is truly amazing. The notorious wet season in the area helps to fill the pools and power the waterfalls dotted around, making for a stark comparison between the rock colours and bright skies. Since the creation of the World Heritage Site at the Bungles, there has been a rise in the number of visitors to the area, and this needs to be carefully managed Management of the park is shared between the Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation and the local, indigenous people. The land must be co-managed in this way, to respect the culture and traditions of the people who know the area best. It would be a travesty if control were taken away completely.

Although welcoming visitors to the area is to be encouraged, the land must be protected and shielded from any environmental impact from tourists. The Bungles are in a relatively remote location and remain fairly inaccessible, which means that many tourists take to the skies in helicopters to observe the formations instead of walking. This is probably the best way to see the Bungles. Travelling by air means less of an impact on the ground so the fragile sandstone structures and the land surrounding them are preserved. The management of relatively low tourist numbers has so far been effective in keeping conservation levels at a stable rate. A recent conservation report recorded that the threat level to the area remains low, but this does not mean that management can be complacent. There may not have been any decline in the geological value of the site, but there are still threats that pose risks to the scientific and cultural heritage on offer at the Bungles.

Some of the threats to the land include fire and invasive species, in addition to the environmental impact of tourists. Indeed, in 2016, a fire ripped through a large area of the Purnululu National Park, burning tens of thousands of hectares of land and leading to the temporary closure of the park to tourists. The importance of the Purnululu National Park and the Bungles cannot be underestimated, yet as we study it and learn about their formation, we must preserve the cultural heritage by encouraging sensitivity towards the indigenous cultural traditions, and knowledge which have kept the area safe for over 20,000 years.

Questions 27-31

Choose the correct letter

27. The Purnululu National Park

A. is well-known outside Australia.

B. has only recently been created.

C. contains part of the Bungle Bungle range.

D. covers all of Western Australia.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “.......The park has become internationally renowned, in part due to large sandstone formations, commonly known as the Bungle Bungle range......”

Keywords: internationally, renowned

Keyword Location: para 1, line 2

Explanation: The text states that Purnululu National Park is internationally renowned, indicating that it is well-known outside of Australia. Hence A is the correct answer.

28. According to the writer, the Bungles were first recorded scientifically

A. from the air.

B. in indigenous writing.

C. in 2003.

D. over 20,000 years ago.

Answer: A

Supporting statement: “.....Although Indigenous communities have roamed the area for over 20,000 years... it wasn't until 1982, when aerial photography captured the formations, that the beauty of the Bungles was revealed to the world.........”

Keywords: photography, revealed

Keyword Location: para 1, lines 4-6

Explanation: The Bungles were first scientifically recorded through aerial photography in 1982, making "from the air" the correct answer.

29. The writer says that the Bungles

A. were created by indigenous settlers.

B. are a complete mystery to scientists.

C. have a unique shape.

D. were probably formed by a river.

Answer: D

Supporting statement: “......We estimate that they began forming around 350 million years ago and that they were part of a riverbed, with layers that were created over the millennia........”

Keywords: riverbed, layers

Keyword Location: para 2, lines 1-3

Explanation: The passage suggests that the Bungles were likely formed as part of a riverbed, supporting the answer that they were probably formed by a river.

30. Visitors to the Purnululu National Park

A. are fewer in number these days.

B. risk damaging the local environment.

C. find the Bungles easy to get to.

D. are only allowed to fly over the park.

Answer: B

Supporting statement: “......Although welcoming visitors to the area is to be encouraged, the land must be protected and shielded from any environmental impact from tourists.......”

Keywords: impact, tourists

Keyword Location: para 4, lines 3-4

Explanation: The passage highlights the need to protect the park from the environmental impact of visitors, indicating that visitors risk damaging the local environment.

31. The threat to the ecology of the Bungles

A. is no longer a problem due to com

B. is now classified as critical in sev

C. has not stopped to power level.

D. only derives from naturally occurring phenomena.

Answer: C

Supporting statement: “......A recent conservation report recorded that the threat level to the area remains low, but this does not mean that management can be complacent.......”

Keywords: level, remains

Keyword Location: para 5, lines 3-4

Explanation: The passage notes that the threat level to the Bungles remains low but requires continued management to maintain this status. Hence C is the correct answer.

Questions 32-36

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer in Reading Passage 3?

In boxes 32-36 on your answer sheet, write

YES If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer

NO if the statement contradicts the claims of the writer

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

32. The indigenous people around the park understand the area well.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “.......Although Indigenous communities have roamed the area for over 20,000 years and understand and respect the area......”

Keywords: communities, understand

Keyword Location: para 1, lines 4-5

Explanation: The passage affirms that Indigenous people have a deep understanding and respect for the area, supporting the statement that they understand the area well.

33 It is unclear how the Bungles have eroded over the years

Answer: NO

Supporting statement: “......We know that they have been weathered and eroded by water as well as wind to create their impressive shapes, but their exact formation remains a mystery.......”

Keywords: eroded, mystery

Keyword Location: para 2, lines 5-7

Explanation: The passage confirms that the exact process of erosion and formation of the Bungles is still unclear. Hence the given statement is false.

34. Further research will be undertaken by Australian scientists.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The passage does not provide information about future research plans specifically involving Australian scientists.

35. It is right that indigenous communities are involved in conservation.

Answer: YES

Supporting statement: “...... the land must be co-managed in this way, to respect the culture and traditions of the people who know the area best........”

Keywords: managed, culture

Keyword Location: para 4, lines 5-6

Explanation: The text mentions the importance of co-management to respect the indigenous culture and traditions, implying it is right for indigenous communities to be involved in conservation.

36. The risk of fire is the biggest threat to the national park.

Answer: NOT GIVEN

Explanation: The para mentions fire as a significant threat but does not indicate it is the biggest threat compared to others.

Questions 37-40

Choose ONE WORD ONLY.

COLOURS OF THE BUNGLES

The colours of the Bungles rocks are stunning to look at. Due to the 37............•... of

Answer: OXIDATION

Supporting statement: “.......The striking orange and black pigments have become characteristically part of the Bungle charm. When the iron in the sandstone oxidises, it creates the stunning orange colour......”

Keywords: oxidises, orange

Keyword Location: para 3, lines 2-4

Explanation: The orange colour of the Bungles is due to the oxidation of iron in the sandstone. Hence oxidation is the correct word.

iron in unprotected layers of rock, the sandstone turns a beautiful shade of orange in a process commonly known as 38.......... This doesn't happen in every found in the Answer: RUSTING

Supporting statement: “......When the iron in the sandstone oxidises, it creates the stunning orange colour that can be seen, in what is called the 'rusting' process.......”

Keywords: oxidises, rusting

Keyword Location: para 3, lines 3-4

Explanation: The rusting process causes the sandstone to turn orange. This statement says that rusting is the correct word.

darker layers is an indication that clay is a layer, though. The 39…….... present, and

Answer: MOISTURE

Supporting statement: “......Some of the layers are dark; these areas contain more clay, which retains moisture.......”

Keywords: layers, retains

Keyword Location: para 3, lines 5-6

Explanation: The presence of moisture in the clay retains the darker colour in some layers. Hence moisture is the correct answer.

this results in bacteria creating a protective layer surface. This protection means that any iron present doesn't change colour, which in turn, leaves the rock more solid than other, more exposed areas. prevents 40………..

Answer: EROSION

Supporting statement: “......bacteria which protect it from oxidisation cannot grow properly. In contrast, some of the layers are dark; these areas contain more clay, .......”

Keywords: protect, erosion

Keyword Location: para 3, lines 6-8

Explanation: Bacteria protect certain layers from erosion by preventing the iron from oxidising and changing colour. Hence erosion is the correct answer.

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