Zoo Conservation Programmes - IELTS Reading Sample with Explanation

In the IELTS General Reading Test, 40 questions are asked within a time of 60 minutes. Three sections are included. There are general reading passages on the IELTS exam drawn from advertisements, notices, leaflets, newspapers, instruction manuals, books, or magazines. This IELTS Reading sample- Zoo Conservation Programmes- consists of several questions

• Yes/No/Not Given
• Classify the statements
• Select the correct options

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Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Zoo Conservation Programmes IELTS Reading Sample

One of London Zoo’s recent advertisements caused me some irritation, so patently did it distort reality. Headlined “Without zoos you might as well tell these animals to get stuffed”, it was bordered with illustrations of several endangered species and went on to extol the myth that without zoos like London Zoo these animals “will almost certainly disappear forever”. With the zoo world’s rather mediocre record on conservation, one might be forgiven for being slightly sceptical about such an advertisement.

Zoos were originally created as places of entertainment, and their suggested involvement with conservation didn’t seriously arise until about 30 years ago, when the Zoological Society of London held the first formal international meeting on the subject. Eight years later, a series of world conferences took place, entitled “The Breeding of Endangered Species”, and from this point onwards conservation became the zoo community’s buzzword. This commitment has now been clear defined in The World Zoo Conservation Strategy (WZGS, September 1993), which although an important and welcome document does seem to be based on an unrealistic optimism about the nature of the zoo industry.

The WZCS estimates that there are about 10,000 zoos in the world, of which around 1,000 represent a core of quality collections capable of participating in coordinated conservation programmes. This is probably the document’s first failing, as I believe that 10,000 is a serious underestimate of the total number of places masquerading as zoological establishments. Of course it is difficult to get accurate data but, to put the issue into perspective, I have found that, in a year of working in Eastern Europe, I discover fresh zoos on almost a weekly basis.

The second flaw in the reasoning of the WZCS document is the naive faith it places in its 1,000 core zoos. One would assume that the calibre of these institutions would have been carefully examined, but it appears that the criterion for inclusion on this select list might merely be that the zoo is a member of a zoo federation or association. This might be a good starting point, working on the premise that members must meet certain standards, but again the facts don’t support the theory. The greatly respected American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) has had extremely dubious members, and in the UK the Federation of Zoological Gardens of Great Britain and Ireland has occasionally had members that have been roundly censured in the national press. These include Robin Hill Adventure Park on the Isle of Wight, which many considered the most notorious collection of animals in the country. This establishment, which for years was protected by the Isle’s local council (which viewed it as a tourist amenity), was finally closed down following a damning report by a veterinary inspector appointed under the terms of the Zoo Licensing Act 1981. As it was always a collection of dubious repute, one is obliged to reflect upon the standards that the Zoo Federation sets when granting membership. The situation is even worse in developing countries where little money is available for redevelopment and it is hard to see a way of incorporating collections into the overall scheme of the WZCS.

Even assuming that the WZCS’s 1,000 core zoos are all of a high standard complete with scientific staff and research facilities, trained and dedicated keepers, accommodation that permits normal or natural behaviour, and a policy of co-operating fully with one another what might be the potential for conservation? Colin Tudge, author of Last Animals at the Zoo (Oxford University Press, 1992), argues that “if the world”s zoos worked together in co-operative breeding programmes, then even without further expansion they could save around 2,000 species of endangered land vertebrates’. This seems an extremely optimistic proposition from a man who must be aware of the failings and weaknesses of the zoo industry the man who, when a member of the council of London Zoo, had to persuade the zoo to devote more of its activities to conservation. Moreover, where are the facts to support such optimism?

Today approximately 16 species might be said to have been “saved” by captive breeding programmes, although a number of these can hardly be looked upon as resounding successes. Beyond that, about a further 20 species are being seriously considered for zoo conservation programmes. Given that the international conference at London Zoo was held 30 years ago, this is pretty slow progress, and a long way off Tudge’s target of 2,000.

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Section 2

Solution With Explanation 

Question 1-7

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

Write-
YES             if the statement agrees with the writer
NO               if the statement contradicts the writer
NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

Q1. London Zoo’s advertisements are dishonest.

Answer: No

Supporting Sentence: ‘One of London Zoo’s recent advertisements caused me some irritation, so patently did it distort reality’

Keywords: London, zoo, distort, reality.

Keyword Location: Paragraph 1, Line 1

Explanation: In the very first line of the passage the writer has clearly pointed out how the advertisement posted by London Zoo clearly distorted the reality, the writer goes on to say that one should be forgiven for such advertisement considering him/her as sceptical.

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Q2. Zoos made an insignificant contribution to conservation up until 30 years ago.

Answer: Yes

Supporting Sentence: ‘Zoos were originally created as places of entertainment, and their suggested involvement with conservation didn’t seriously arise until about 30 years ago’

Keywords: Zoos, involvement, conservation, arise, 30 years.

Keyword Location: Paragraph 2, line 1

Explanation: In the first line of the third paragraph the writer clearly says that earlier Zoos were just a place for fun and entertainment; they played no role in conservation of animals.

Q3. The WZCS document is not known in Eastern Europe.

Answer: Not Given

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Q4. Zoos in the WZCS select list were carefully inspected.

Answer: No

Supporting Sentence: ‘One would assume that the caliber of these institutions would have been carefully examined, but it appears that the criterion for inclusion on this select list might merely be that the zoo is a member of a zoo federation or association’

Keywords: Caliber, Zoos, Examined, association, Federation, association

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 2

Explanation: In the second line of fourth paragraph the writer questions the reality behind the association of the zoos with the Zoo Federation, whether they are put to correct scrutiny and inspection, which makes it clear that inspection of the WZCs Zoos, is not properly done.

Q5. No-one knew how the animals were being treated at Robin Hill Adventure Park.

Answer: No

Supporting Sentence: ‘Robin Hill Adventure Park on the Isle of Wight, which many considered the most notorious collection of animals in the country’

Keywords: Robin Hill, Adventure park, Isle, Wight, Notorious, collection, animals.

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 9

Explanation: In the fourth paragraph in line number 9 the writer describes the reality of WZCs Robin Hill Adventure park, how famous it was for its notorious deeds and collection of animals and that it went on to be closed permanently.

Q6. Colin Tudge was dissatisfied with the treatment of animals at London Zoo.

Answer: Not Given

Q7.The number of successful zoo conservation programmes is unsatisfactory.

Answer: Yes

Supporting Sentence: Even assuming that the WZCS’s 1,000 core zoos are all of a high standard complete with scientific staff and research facilities, trained and dedicated keepers, accommodation that permits normal or natural behavior’; ‘this is pretty slow progress, and a long way off Tudge’s target of 2,000’

Keywords: Zoos, target, slow progress.

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5-6, line

Explanation: In the sixth paragraph of the passage the writer clearly says that still the zoo conservation program has a long way to go and that Tudge’s target of 2000 Zoos is far away from reach now.

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Questions 8-10
Choose the appropriate letters A-D and write the answers.

Q8 What were the objectives of the WZCS document?

1. to improve the calibre of zoos world-widE
2. to identify zoos suitable for conservation practice
3. to provide funds for zoos in underdeveloped countries
4. to list the endangered species of the world

Answer: B - to identify zoos suitable for conservation practice

Supporting sentence: ‘The WZCS estimates that there are about 10,000 zoos in the world, of which around 1,000 represent a core of quality collections capable of participating in coordinated conservation programs’

Keywords: WZCs, Zoos, quality, conservation

Keyword Location: Paragraph 3, Line 1-2

Explanation: In the first and second line of paragraph 3 the writer explains that documentation by WZCs failed because they underestimated the total number of zoos around the world by only 10000 of which they claimed that only 1000 have the collection capable of coordinating the conservation program.

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Q9 Why does the writer refer to Robin Hill Adventure Park?

1. to support the Isle of Wight local council
2. to criticize the 1981 Zoo Licensing Act
3. to illustrate a weakness in the WZCS document
4. to exemplify the standards in AAZPA zoos

Answer: C- to illustrate a weakness in the WZCS document

Supporting sentence: ‘The situation is even worse in developing countries where little money is available for redevelopment and it is hard to see a way of incorporating collections into the overall scheme of the WZCS’

Keywords: WZCS, incorporating, scheme.

Keyword Location: Paragraph 4, line 15

Explanation: The writer explains how the WZCS system failed to incorporate and keep the conservation spirit alive, in line number 15 of the fourth paragraph, thus highlighting the failure of WZC.

Q10 What word best describes the writer’s response to Colin Tudges’ prediction on captive breeding program?

1. disbelieving
2. impartial
3. prejudiced
4. accepting

Answer: A- Disbelieving

Supporting sentence: ‘a long way off Tudge’s target of 2,000’

Keywords: Tudge, 2000

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 5

Explanation: In line 5 of paragraph 6 the writer shows his disbelieve regarding the prediction of Colin Tudge, that through captive breeding about 2000 species of endangered land vertebrates but until now 30 years later his vision still remains incomplete, therefore author feels, it has a long way to go.

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Questions 11-13

The writer mentions a number of factors which lead him to doubt the value of the WZCS document. Which THREE of the following factors are mentioned? Write your answers (A-F) i

List of Factors

1. The number of unregistered zoos in the world
2. The lack of money in developing countries
3. The actions of the Isle of Wight local council
4. The failure of the WZCS to examine the standards of the “core zoos”
5. The unrealistic aim of the WZCS in view of the number of species “saved” to date
6. The policies of WZCS zoo managers

Q11. Which of the following factors are mentioned?

Answer: A,D,E

Supporting Sentence: assuming that the WZCS’s 1,000 core zoos are all of a high standard complete with scientific staff and research facilities, trained and dedicated keepers, accommodation that permits normal or natural behavior, and a policy of co-operating fully with one another what might be the potential for conservation

Keywords: Zoos, WZCS, potential

Keyword Location: Paragraph 5, line 1

Explanation: In paragraph fifth the first line the writer explains how the WZCs failed in assuming and figuring out the number of unregistered zoos in the world and he also put light on the wrong presumptions of number of endangered vertebrates that could be saved and the bad performance of WZC’s, all these factors are clearly mentioned and explained by the author in the passage.

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Q12. Which of the following factors are mentioned?

Answer: A,D,E

Supporting Sentence: ‘The second flaw in the reasoning of the WZCS document is the naive faith it places in its 1,000 core zoos’

Keywords: Reasoning, WZCs, naive

Keyword Location: Line 1, paragraph 4

Explanation: In the first line of the fourth paragraph the writer puts light on the flaw of WZCs, about how its estimate for 1000 core zoos is completely wrong and that the estimates may vary.

Q13. Which of the following factors are mentioned?

Answer: A, D, E

Supporting Sentence: ‘Today approximately 16 species might be said to have been “saved” by captive breeding program, although a number of these can hardly be looked upon as resounding successes’

Keywords: Species, saved, captive, looked upon, resounding

Keyword Location: Paragraph 6, line 1-2

Explanation: In the first line of the last paragraph, the author gives the exact number of endangered species that are known to have been protected which is just 16 and that it is still a long way to go to accomplish the dream. Hence, the following factors are mentioned in the passage.