Zoo Conservation Programmes — IELTS Reading Answers

London Zoo’s advertisements are dishonest.

“One of London Zoo’s recent advertisements caused me some irritation, so patently did it distort reality”

The writer says one of London Zoo's recent advertisements caused irritation because it so patently distorted reality, so it was dishonest.

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

“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”

Zoos were originally places of entertainment, and their suggested involvement with conservation did not seriously arise until about 30 years ago.

The WZCS document is not known in Eastern Europe.

“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 writer mentions discovering fresh zoos weekly while working in Eastern Europe but never says the WZCS document is unknown there.

Zoos in the WZCS select list were carefully inspected.

“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”

Inclusion on the select list may merely require being a member of a zoo federation or association, so the zoos were not carefully inspected.

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

“These include Robin Hill Adventure Park on the Isle of Wight, which many considered the most notorious collection of animals in the country”

Robin Hill Adventure Park was considered by many the most notorious collection of animals in the country, so people knew about conditions there.

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

“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”

The text notes Tudge had to persuade London Zoo to devote more to conservation but never says he was dissatisfied with animal treatment.

The number of successful zoo conservation programmes is unsatisfactory.

“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”

Only about 16 species have been saved by captive breeding after 30 years, which the writer calls pretty slow progress and far off target.

What were the objectives of the WZCS document?

1. Ato improve the calibre of zoos world-wide
2. Bto identify zoos suitable for conservation practicecorrect
3. Cto provide funds for zoos in underdeveloped countries
4. Dto list the endangered species of the world

“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 co-ordinated conservation programmes”

The WZCS estimates about 1,000 zoos represent a core of quality collections capable of joining conservation programmes, so it aimed to identify suitable zoos.

Why does the writer refer to Robin Hill Adventure Park?

1. Ato support the Isle of Wight local council
2. Bto criticise the 1981 Zoo Licensing Act
3. Cto illustrate a weakness in the WZCS documentcorrect
4. Dto exemplify the standards in AAZPA zoos

“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,”

Robin Hill is cited as a dubious federation member, showing the WZCS's naive faith in its 1,000 core zoos, a weakness in the document.

What word best describes the writer’s response to Colin Tudge’s prediction on captive breeding programmes?

1. Adisbelievingcorrect
2. Bimpartial
3. Cprejudiced
4. Daccepting

“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”

The writer calls Tudge's prediction an extremely optimistic proposition and asks where the facts are, so he is disbelieving.

“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 The second flaw in the reasoning of the WZCS document is the naive faith it places in its 1,000 core zoos.”

A, D and E match the three criticisms: 10,000 is an underestimate, the select list's criteria are weak, and 16 saved species is slow progress.