Cambridge IELTS 20 · Academic · Test 4 · Passage 3
A New Role For Livestock Guard Dogs — IELTS Reading Answers
All 14 answers for A New Role For Livestock Guard Dogs, Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 3, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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A New Role For Livestock Guard Dogs answer key at a glance
Questions 27–40. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q27–31), Matching Features (Q32–36), Summary Completion (Q37–40). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 27–31: Matching Information
Strategy: Scan for the idea, not the exact words. The answer is a paragraph letter, and one paragraph may be used more than once unless the instructions say otherwise.
An example of how one predator has been protected by the introduction of livestock guard dogs
“When guard dogs were introduced, more than 90 per cent of farmers reported a dramatic reduction in livestock losses, and said that as a result they were less likely to kill predators”
Paragraph D gives the example: after guard dogs were introduced, farmers 'were less likely to kill predators', so predators were protected.
An optimistic suggestion about the possible positive developments in the use of livestock guard dogs
“So if we can get this right, there may be a bright future for guard dogs in promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife”
Paragraph G looks ahead, saying 'there may be a bright future for guard dogs in promoting harmonious coexistence'.
A description of how the methods used by livestock guard dogs help to keep predators away
“The dogs will place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly. If necessary, they will chase away predators, but often their mere presence is sufficient”
Paragraph B describes the method: dogs 'place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly' and chase predators.
Claims by different academics that the use of livestock guard dogs is a successful way of protecting farmers’ herds
“The evidence indicates that guard dogs are highly effective. For example, in Portugal, biologist Silvia Ribeiro has found that more than 90 per cent of the farmers participating in a programme to train and use guard dogs to protect their herds against attack from wolves rate the performance of the dogs as very good or...”
Paragraph C cites Ribeiro's finding that over 90 per cent of farmers rate the dogs 'very good or excellent'.
A reference to how livestock guard dogs gain their skills
“These dogs are raised from an early age with the animals they will be watching and eventually these animals become the dog's family”
Paragraph B explains dogs 'are raised from an early age with the animals they will be watching', so skills come from this upbringing.
Questions 32–36: Matching Features
Strategy: Match the statement to the named person or thing. Names can repeat, so check each option against what that person actually says.
Options for Questions 32–36
- ADan Macon
- BSilvia Ribeiro
- CLinda van Bommel
- DJulie Young
- EBethany Smith
The use of guard dogs may save the lives of both livestock and wild animals.
“'If ranchers don't have a dead cow, they will not make a call to apply for a permit to kill a wolf.'”
Julie Young (D) notes that without a dead cow 'they will not make a call to apply for a permit to kill a wolf', sparing livestock and wolves.
Claims of a change in behaviour from those using livestock guard dogs may not be totally accurate.
“Looking at all the published evidence, Bethany Smith at Nottingham Trent University in the UK found that up to 88 per cent of farmers said they no longer killed predators after using dogs - but warned that such self-reported results must be taken with a pinch of salt”
Bethany Smith (E) warns self-reported results 'must be taken with a pinch of salt', so claimed behaviour change may be unreliable.
There may be negative results if the use of livestock guard dogs is not sufficiently widespread.
“'If we are not working with everybody, we are transferring the wolf pressure to the neighbour's herd and he can use poison and kill an entire pack of wolves.'”
Silvia Ribeiro (B) warns that unless everyone participates, 'we are transferring the wolf pressure to the neighbour's herd', risking revenge poisoning.
Livestock guard dogs are the best way of protecting farm animals, as long as the dogs are appropriately handled.
“'If they are managed and used properly, livestock guard dogs are the most efficient control method that we have in terms of the amount of livestock that they save from predation,' says van Bommel”
Linda van Bommel (C) says guard dogs, 'if managed and used properly, are the most efficient control method that we have'.
Teaching a livestock guard dog how to do its work needs a different focus from teaching a house guard dog.
“'Their initial training is to make them understand that livestock is going to be their life,' says Dan Macon, a shepherd with three guard dogs”
Dan Macon (A) says initial training teaches dogs 'that livestock is going to be their life', unlike house guard dogs.
Questions 37–40: Summary Completion
Strategy: Read the summary as a paragraph first to establish the logic, then locate the missing idea in the passage. With a lettered list, confirm the grammar fits.
“In 2015, researchers reported that in spite of the impact farmers obtaining guard dogs had on cheetahs, the number of jackals killed by dogs and people actually increased”
Despite fewer cheetah killings, 'the number of jackals killed by dogs and people actually increased', so the gap is 'jackals'.
“They have been found to spread diseases to wild animals, including endangered Ethiopian wolves”
Dogs 'have been found to spread diseases to wild animals, including endangered Ethiopian wolves', so the gap is 'diseases'.
“They may also compete with other carnivores for food”
They 'may also compete with other carnivores for food', so the gap is 'food'.
“For example, their presence has been found to protect birds which build their nests on the ground in fields, where foxes would normally raid them.”
Ground-nesting birds are protected in fields 'where foxes would normally raid them', so the gap is 'foxes'.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the A New Role For Livestock Guard Dogs passage come from?
It is Passage 3 of Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Reading Test 4, and it covers Questions 27–40.
What question types appear in A New Role For Livestock Guard Dogs?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, Matching Features, Summary Completion. Each type is explained on this page, alongside the answers.
Are these reading answers reliable?
Every answer is paired with the sentence that proves it, so you can check each one against the passage yourself. Use the page after a timed attempt, not instead of one.
Cambridge IELTS is published by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Band9Prep is not affiliated with Cambridge. This page is an independent study aid: it gives the answer key, the passage evidence and an explanation so you can review an attempt you have already made.