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

“After examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs”

A plural noun for the examiners is needed; 'after examination by vets' the dormice went into soft release accommodation.

“After examination by vets the dormice were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs”

The gap needs a plural noun for groupings; the dormice 'were placed in their soft release accommodation in pairs'.

“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”

A noun for what was supplied daily fits; for 10 days they 'were checked and given food daily'.

“Everything was removed in October when the animals started preparing to go into hibernation for the winter”

A noun for the winter state is needed; in October the animals began 'preparing to go into hibernation for the winter'.

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

1. Aallow the public to observe the animals in the future
2. Btest whether the area is sufficient for a large group
3. Cexperiment with new methods of caring for them
4. Dget the group to mix with others that live nearbycorrect

“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”

Option D: the release aimed at 'linking up with another released dormouse population 3 miles away', so the group mixes with neighbours.

Coppicing is mentioned in the fourth paragraph as an example of

1. Ahow changes in their natural habitat have affected dormouse numberscorrect
2. Bwhat was often done in woodland in the past to help dormice survive
3. Cthe relative importance of woodland and hedges in the countryside
4. Dthe particular types of trees that grow best in the English climate

“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”

Option A: coppicing, the traditional cycle that 'provided varied food and plenty of light for dormice', shows how habitat management shaped their numbers.

Why does Ian White support the widespread reintroduction of dormice?

1. Athey are animals that can easily be bred in captivity
2. Bthe steps taken to help them will also benefit many other animalscorrect
3. Cthe public will be more likely to go for walks in woods and fields
4. Dthey are animals that should particularly attract younger children

“They promote good woodland management and what's good for dormice is good for a large range of species”

Option B: 'what's good for dormice is good for a large range of species', so helping them helps many other animals.

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

1. Aan increase in the populations of the most common species
2. Ba public who are used to sharing their environment with wildlifecorrect
3. Ca general awareness of the need to reintroduce larger animals soon
4. Da willingness to spend time improving natural landscapes in the UK

“Helen Meech the director of Rewilding Britain, an organisation 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.”

Option B: Meech expects reintroductions to 'increase people's familiarity with living with more wild animals once again'.

What is suggested about wolves returning to the UK?

1. Athe best solution would be to keep them in a secure wildlife park
2. Bthey would definitely need to be kept far away from humans
3. Cthere is only one area of the UK which would accept them
4. Dtheir presence could revive some damaged environmentscorrect

“But they are critical to the restoration of ecosystems that have been overgrazed by deer”

Option D: wolves are 'critical to the restoration of ecosystems that have been overgrazed by deer', so their return could repair damaged habitats.

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

“The species has been quietly re-establishing itself in the woodlands of Britain for several decades”

Option E: the species 'has been quietly re-establishing itself in the woodlands of Britain for several decades', without help.

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

“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 or humans unlikely”

Option A: the lynx is 'a shy animal' preferring woodland, so contact with livestock or humans is 'unlikely'.

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

“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”

Option C: the Scottish Highlands 'could generate millions of pounds in tourism', a large financial gain for one region.

Some countries which have already reintroduced this species have systems to repay farmers if it kills any of their animals.

“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”

Option D: European schemes 'have offered compensation' for livestock losses, matching repayment to farmers whose animals were killed.