Why Is It Important To Save Species Like The Dormouse IELTS Reading answers

Sep 29, 2023

Why is it important to save species like the dormouse? IELTS Reading Answers is a topic of the IELTS general reading topic which includes 13 questions. The specified IELTS topic generates 2 type of questions: choose one word and multiple choice questions. Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly in order to recognize synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. Candidates can further enhance their reading skills by going through IELTS reading practice papers available on the website. Candidates can use IELTS reading topics like Why is it important to save species like the dormouse IELTS Reading Answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Why It Is Important To Save Species Like The Dormouse

A
More than 100 years after they were last recorded by naturalists in the Wensleydale valley in northern England rare dormice have returned to a secret woodland location there. Twenty breeding pairs of rare hazel dormice were recently reintroduced as part of a national scheme to reverse the decline of one of Britain's most threatened mammals.

B
This reintroduction led by the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and supported by a coalition of conservation groups is the 22nd in the last 23 years. Dormice depend on well managed woodlands and healthy connected hedgerows for their survival. But changes in land use since the 1940s have been so dramatic that the dormice that remain have limited living space and are increasingly isolated.

C
Ahead of the release the PTES found a site of dense good quality woodland while the captive bred dormice waited in quarantine. After examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs. This consisted of secure wooden boxes fitted to trees and surrounded by a meter square cage. For 10 days the dormice were checked and given food daily then a small opening was made allowing them the freedom to explore while retaining the security of the cage. Everything was removed in October when the animals started preparing to go into hibernation for the winter.

D
'The hope is that we have a free living population in the woods but we won't know how they have fared until next year' said lan White of the PTES. Unsuitable habitat, captive bred animals and incorrect management could all ruin the chances of success such schemes. However a distinctive factor of this release White explained is the intention of linking up with another released dormouse population 3 miles away by managing the land between. The goal is to create a wider landscape for dormice and that will make the population more robust.

E
Woodlands were traditionally managed through regularly cutting back certain trees to ground level to stimulate growth and provide firewood or timber for local residents. This system was known as coppicing, and as an added bonus it happened to provide varied food and plenty of light for dormice. But the practice has been largely lost with much remaining woodland sliced up by roads, railways and fields. England also had more than 50% of its hedgerows dug up between 1946 and 1993 as small fields were combined to make larger ones and farmland was sold for building projects. All this has had an adverse effect on dormouse populations.

F
'It's very important that we reintroduce the dormouse because they are a good species to get people involved with conservation, 'said White. 'They are a fascinating species that is rare but you can still see. They promote good woodland management and what's good for dormice is good for a large range of species.

G
Helen Meech, the director of Rewilding Britain, an organization campaigning to restore lost species and habitats to the British countryside said that such reintroductions would increase people's familiarity with living with more wild animals once again. People's everyday wildlife experience is becoming limited to seeing gray squirrels and pigeons, she explained. We are increasingly disconnected from nature. In 30 to 40 years' time we might get to the point where we can start to think about bringing back wolves, bison or moose but let's start with species that will have a lighter impact for now.

H
Over centuries, Britain has lost many key species that are critical for healthy ecosystems. Here are some of the species conservationists have reintroduced or are proposing to reintroduce.

The lynx is believed to have disappeared from Britain about 1000 years ago. Experts say it would help control the fast growing population of red deer allowing forests to regenerate and support greater biodiversity. The preference of the lynx, a shy animal to stay in its woodland habitat, would make a threat to livestock of humans unlikely.

I
After an absence of 400 years Beavers are back in Britain. The Devon Reaver project cites improvements in biodiversity and water after the reintroduction of a pair near Okehampton in 2011. Scotland's first reintroduction in Knapdale forest in 2009 was hailed an outstanding success but an unlicensed free living population in the river Tay has caused problems.

Lost to Britain in the 1700s the wolf is the most controversial species proposed for reintroduction given its potential to kill agricultural livestock. But they are critical to the restoration of ecosystems that have been overgrazed by deer. Despite their fearsome reputation they present a low risk to people. Because of the space a wolf population would need the Scottish Highlands would be an obvious place for their reintroduction and could generate millions of pounds in tourism.

J
The sea eagle also known as the White tailed eagle was driven to extinction in Britain earlier this century. A reintroduction has seen it return to the Inner Hebrides island of Mull. Proposals to bring it back to the east of England failed following concerns from landowners about the threat to livestock. Successful schemes in Europe have offered compensation for this.

K
Then there is the wild boar which disappeared in the 13th century because of hunting. They increase biodiversity and create space for trees and plants to grow but can cause damage to crops and gardens. The species has been quietly reestablishing itself in the woodlands of Britain for several decades.

Section 2

Questions 28-31
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage.

The procedure for the dormouse reintroduction in Wensleydale

It was necessary to do some preparation before the 40 dormice could be released in Wensleydale. First members of PTES have to choose a suitable wooded area for them. Then (28)............... gave them a thorough check. The team divided the animals into (29)............... before introducing them to their temporary tree homes. These were boxes which were enclosed by cages. Initially the dormice could not get out but the team brought (30)........ regular basis.
Once the dormice got used to their new environment a gap was cut in the netting so they could go out and return when they wanted. Then before the animals were ready to start their annual (31)................in the autumn, the team took their temporary homes away; they intended to return and review the success of the project next year.

Question 28.

Answer: vets
Supporting statement: “...Ahead of the release the PTES found a site of dense good quality woodland while the captive bred dormice…”
Keywords: PTES, dense good quality, woodland, captive bred dormice, quarantine, examination by vets
Keyword Location: para C, line 1
Explanation: According to the writer, PTES found a site of dense good quality woodland while the captive bred dormice waited in quarantine. After examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs.

Question 29.

Answer: pairs
Supporting statement: “...After examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft…”
Keywords: examination, vets, dormice, placed, soft release, accommodation in pairs
Keyword Location: para C, line 2
Explanation: According to the writer, after examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs.

Question 30.

Answer: food
Supporting statement: “...For 10 days the dormice were checked and given food daily then a small opening was made allowing…”
Keywords: secure, wooden boxes, fitted to trees, a meter square cage, 10 days, dormice, food, daily, small opening, freedom, explore
Keyword Location: para C, line 4
Explanation: According to the writer, for 10 days the dormice were checked and given food daily then a small opening was made allowing them the freedom to explore while retaining the security of the cage.

Question 31.

Answer: hibernation
Supporting statement: “...Everything was removed in October when the animals started preparing…”
Keywords: October, animals, preparing, hibernation, winter
Keyword Location: para C, line 5
Explanation: According to the writer, everything was removed in October when the animals started preparing to go into hibernation for the winter.

Questions 32-36
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Question 32. Ian White says that one aim of releasing 40 dormice in Wensleydale is to

allow the public to observe the animals in the future
test whether the area is sufficient for a large group
experiment with new methods of caring for them
get the group to mix with others that live nearby

Answer: D
Supporting statement: “...However a distinctive factor of this release White explained is the intention of linking up with another released dormouse population…”
Keywords: distinctive factor, White, intention, linking up, another released, dormouse, population, 3 miles away, managing, land
Keyword Location: para D, line 3
Explanation: According to the White, the distinctive factor of this release is explained as the intention of linking up with another released dormouse population 3 miles away by managing the land between.

Question 33. Coppicing is mentioned in the fourth paragraph as an example of

how changes in their natural habitat have affected dormouse numbers
what was often in woodland in the past to help dormice survive
the relative importance of woodland and hedges in the countryside
the particular types of trees that grow best in the English climate

Answer: A
Supporting statement: “...All this has had an adverse effect on dormouse populations…”
Keywords: Woodlands, cutting, trees, ground level, growth, firewood, timber, local residents, coppicing, adverse effect, dormouse, populations
Keyword Location: para E, line 5
Explanation: According to the writer, Woodlands were traditionally managed through coppicing process, and as an added bonus it happened to provide varied food and plenty of light for dormice. England had more than 50% of its hedgerows dug up between 1946 and 1993 as small fields were combined to make larger ones and farmland was sold for building projects. All this has had an adverse effect on dormouse populations.

Question 34. Why does lan White support the widespread reintroduction of dormice?

they are animals that can easily be bred in captivity
the steps taken to help them will also benefit many other animals
the public will be more likely to go for walks in woods and fields
they are animals that should particularly attract younger children

Answer: B
Supporting statement: “...the director of Rewilding Britain, an organization campaigning to restore lost species and habitats to the British countryside…”
Keywords: director, Rewilding Britain, organization campaigning, restore, lost species, habitats, British countryside, reintroductions, familiarity, wild animals
Keyword Location: para G, line 1
Explanation: According to the director of Rewilding Britain, an organization campaigning to restore lost species and habitats to the British countryside said that such reintroductions would increase people's familiarity with living with more wild animals once again.

Question 35. What does Helen Meech hope that the dormice project will lead to?

an increase in the populations of the most common species
a public who are used to sharing their environment with wildlife
a general awareness of the need to reintroduce larger animals soon
a willingness to spend time improving natural landscapes in the UK

Answer: B
Supporting statement: “...Helen Meech, the director of Rewilding Britain, an organization campaigning to restore lost species and habitats to the British countryside…”
Keywords: Helen Meech, director of Rewilding Britain, organization, campaigning, restore, lost species, habitats, British countryside, reintroductions, increase, people's familiarity, living with more wild animals
Keyword Location: para G, line 1
Explanation: According to the writer, Helen Meech, the director of Rewilding Britain, an organization campaigning to restore lost species and habitats to the British countryside said that such reintroductions would increase people's familiarity with living with more wild animals once again.

Question 36. What is suggested about wolves returning to the UK?

the best solution would be to keep them in a secure wildlife park
they would definitely need to be kept far away from humans
there is only one area of the UK which would accept them
their presence could revive some damaged environments

Answer: D
Supporting statement: “...In 30 to 40 years' time we might get to the point where we can start to think about bringing back wolves, bison or moose…”
Keywords: 30 to 40 years' time, bringing, back, wolves, bison, moose, species, lighter impact for now.
Keyword Location: para G, line 4
Explanation: According to the writer, People's everyday wildlife experience is becoming limited to seeing gray squirrels and pigeons, she explained. We are increasingly disconnected from nature. In 30 to 40 years' time we might get to the point where we can start to think about bringing back wolves, bison or moose but let's start with species that will have a lighter impact

Questions 37-40
Look at the following statements and the list of animals below. Match each statement with the correct animal A-E.

Question 37. This species has already begun to settle in the UK without human assistance.

Answer: E
Supporting statement: “...The species has been quietly reestablishing itself in the woodlands of Britain for several decades…”
Keywords: wild boar, disappeared, 13th century, hunting, increase, biodiversity, space for trees and plants, damage to crops and gardens, species, reestablishing, woodlands of Britain
Keyword Location: para K, line 3
Explanation: According to the writer, there is the wild boar which disappeared in the 13th century because of hunting. The species has been quietly reestablishing itself in the woodlands of Britain for several decades.

Question 38. This species would be particularly suitable for reintroduction as it is unlikely to try to come into contact with people.

Answer: A
Supporting statement: “...The preference of the lynx, a shy animal to stay in its woodland habitat, would make a threat to livestock of humans unlikely…”
Keywords: lynx, disappeared, Britain, 1000 years ago, fast growing population, red deer, forests, regenerate, support greater biodiversity, shy animal, stay, woodland habitat, threat to livestock, humans
Keyword Location: para H, line 4
Explanation: According to the writer, the lynx is believed to have disappeared from Britain about 1000 years ago. Experts say it would help control the fast growing population of red deer allowing forests to regenerate and support greater biodiversity. The preference of the lynx, a shy animal to stay in its woodland habitat, would make a threat to livestock of humans unlikely.

Question 39. It is possible that reintroducing this species could bring considerable financial benefits to one area.

Answer: C
Supporting statement: “...Because of the space a wolf population would need the Scottish Highlands would be an obvious place for their reintroduction…”
Keywords: space a wolf population, Scottish Highlands, obvious place, reintroduction, generate, millions of pounds, tourism
Keyword Location: para I, line 7
Explanation: According to the writer, lost to Britain in the 1700s the wolf is the most controversial species proposed for reintroduction given its potential to kill agricultural livestock. Because of the space a wolf population would need the Scottish Highlands would be an obvious place for their reintroduction and could generate millions of pounds in tourism.

Question 40. Some countries which have already reintroduced this species have systems to repay farmers if they kill any of their animals.

Answer: D
Supporting statement: “...Proposals to bring it back to the east of England failed following concerns from landowners about the threat to livestock…”
Keywords: sea eagle, White tailed eagle, extinction, Britain, reintroduction, Inner Hebrides island of Mull, Proposals, east of England, failed, landowners, threat to livestock
Keyword Location: para J, line 3
Explanation: According to the writer, the sea eagle also known as the White tailed eagle was driven to extinction in Britain earlier this century. A reintroduction has seen it return to the Inner Hebrides island of Mull. Proposals to bring it back to the east of England failed following concerns from landowners about the threat to livestock.