Cambridge IELTS 14 · Academic · Test 4 · Passage 2
Why Zoos Are Good — IELTS Reading Answers
All 11 answers for Why Zoos Are Good, Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 4 Passage 2, with the passage evidence and an explanation for each.
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Why Zoos Are Good answer key at a glance
Questions 14–25. Tap an answer to see the evidence.
What this passage tests
This passage is tested with Matching Information (Q14–17), True / False / Not Given (Q18–22), Two Choices (Q23–24), Two Choices (Q25–26). Each section below gives the strategy for that question type, the answers, and the sentence that proves them.
Questions 14–17: 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.
a reference to how quickly animal species can die out
“Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world, and many more are increasingly threatened and therefore risk extinction. Moreover, some of these collapses have been sudden, dramatic and unexpected”
B: paragraph B notes 'some of these collapses have been sudden, dramatic and unexpected', showing how rapidly species can vanish.
reasons why it is preferable to study animals in captivity rather than in the wild
“Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables means real changes can be effected on wild populations”
E: paragraph E says research in zoos involves 'less risk and fewer variables', making studies there preferable to fieldwork.
mention of two ways of learning about animals other than visiting them in zoos
“television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive, and many natural history specimens are on display in museums”
C: paragraph C names 'television documentaries' and 'natural history specimens ... in museums', two alternatives to visiting zoos.
reasons why animals in zoos may be healthier than those in the wild
“it is perfectly possible for many species of animals living in zoos or wildlife parks to have a quality of life as high as, or higher than, in the wild. Animals in good zoos get a varied and high-quality diet with all the supplements required, and any illnesses they might have will be treated.”
A: zoo animals get 'a varied and high-quality diet with all the supplements required', and any illnesses 'will be treated'.
Questions 18–22: True / False / Not Given
Strategy: Judge the whole statement against the text. FALSE contradicts the passage; NOT GIVEN means the passage never addresses that specific claim.
An animal is likely to live longer in a zoo than in the wild
“The average captive animal will have a greater life expectancy compared with its wild counterpart”
TRUE: the text states 'the average captive animal will have a greater life expectancy compared with its wild counterpart'.
There are some species in zoos which can no longer be found in the wild.
“A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos”
TRUE: 'a good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos', so some are extinct in the wild.
Improvements in the quality of TV wildlife documentaries have resulted in increased numbers of zoo visitors.
“television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive”
NOT GIVEN: documentaries are described as 'more detailed and impressive', but no link to zoo visitor numbers is made.
Zoos have always excelled at transmitting information about animals to the public.
“This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work.”
FALSE: 'this was an area where zoos used to be lacking', contradicting the claim that they have always excelled at public information.
Studying animals in zoos is less stressful for the animals than studying them in the wild.
“Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables”
NOT GIVEN: zoo research carries 'less risk and fewer variables', but the animals' stress levels are never discussed.
Questions 23–24: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“send their animal keepers abroad Many zoos also work directly to educate conservation workers in other countries”
Both fit: zoos 'send their animal keepers abroad' (B) and 'educate conservation workers in other countries' (D), helping conservation overseas.
Questions 25–26: Two Choices
Strategy: Both answers must be supported by the passage. Check each option independently; order does not usually matter.
“educating and informing the general population about these animals and their world so that they can assist or at least accept the need to be more environmentally conscious Still more only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos,”
B fits because zoos educate 'the general population'; E because some species 'only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos'.
Learn the question types in this passage
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Why Zoos Are Good passage come from?
It is Passage 2 of Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Reading Test 4, and it covers Questions 14–25.
What question types appear in Why Zoos Are Good?
The passage is tested with Matching Information, True / False / Not Given, Two Choices, Two Choices. 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.