Table of Contents
BEST IELTS Academic Reading Test 508
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST 508 – PASAGE – 2
IELTS ACADEMIC READING TEST – 508
READING PASSAGE – 1
Black Bears and Grizzlies in Canada
Black bears and grizzly bears are both found in North America, and, because they look quite similar to each other, are often confused. Although closely related, however, the two species are in fact quite distinct. Part of the confusion arises out of the fact that both species are characterised by considerable colour variations, and there are also variations in size and weight. So using those criteria alone, it is not easy to make a confident identification. A large black bear, for example, could be either a black bear or a grizzly bear, and so could a smaller, paler individual.
Black bears have a wider geographic range than grizzlies, and can be found in every Canadian province except Prince Edward Island. Today, grizzlies are found only in western and far northern Canada and in small pockets of the western United States. Black bears are primarily adapted to forested areas and their edges and clearings. Although grizzly bears make substantial use of forested areas, they also make much more use of large, non-forested meadows and valleys than black bears do.
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Black bears have short, curved claws better suited to climbing trees than digging. In contrast, grizzly bears have longer, less curved claws and a larger shoulder muscle mass more suited to digging than climbing. This enables grizzlies to forage efficiently for foods which must be dug from the soil, such as roots, bulbs, corms and tubers, as well as to catch burrowing rodents. The primary difference between the dietary habits of black bears and grizzly bears is the amount of meat, fish and root foods eaten. Grizzly bears tend to be more carnivorous, whereas black bears eat more plant material.
A behavioural difference between black bears and grizzly bears is the length of time cubs are under their mother’s care. Black bear cubs are born in the winter hibernation den, spend the summer following birth with their mother, stay with her in her den again in the fall, then separate from her early the next summer as yearlings, whereas grizzly bear cubs can spend up to three and a half years under their mother’s care before separation.
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Black bears are generally much less aggressive than grizzly bears and rely on their ability to climb trees to allow themselves and their cubs to escape predators such as wolves, grizzly bears or other black bears. Grizzly bears are more likely to rely on their size and aggressiveness to protect themselves and their cubs from predators or other perceived threats.
One behavioural difference between the two varieties of bears is significant if you hike in the backcountry. There are two types of bear attacks, the defensive attack and the predatory attack. The former can occur when hikers are walking into the wind so that bears do not smell them corning.
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If you come within three to six metres of a grizzly bear, and it suddenly notices you, he/she may react defensively and even attack out of response to a possible threat. This is especially likely if you disturb a mother grizzly bear and her cubs. According to some experts, in this type of attack, you should play dead. This enforces the impression to the grizzly that you are not a threat and the bear most often walks away once the perceived threat is gone.
The predatory attack, on the other hand, is most often launched by black bears; this is its natural method of hunting animals. While it is highly unlikely that people will be stalked by a predatory black bear, if they are, the recommended response is just the opposite to that for a defensive attack. Shout! Wave your arms and try to appear as large as possible. Don’t run. If actually attacked, throw rocks at them. All bears prefer not to have to fight for their food, and if you put up a strong enough defence, they will likely leave you alone.
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Questions 1-8
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage 1? In boxes 1-8 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
1. It can be difficult to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly bear.
2. Grizzly bears have fewer colour variations than black bears.
3. Black bears are generally heavier than grizzly bears.
4. Both types of bear can be found in forested areas.
5. Generally, black bears are better at digging than grizzly bears.
6. Both types of bear eat fish in preference to other foods.
7. The diet of grizzly bears includes a larger proportion of meat.
8. Both types of bear build a hibernation den.
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Questions 9-13
Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
9. What do black bears do if threatened by predators?
10. What type of attack on humans is more typical of grizzly bears?
11. What are people advised to do if a mother grizzly bear defending cubs attacks them?
12. What shouldn’t people do if a predatory black bear threatens them?
13. What weapons should you use to counter a black bear attack?
IELTS Academic Reading Test
IELTS Academic Reading Test
ANSWERS
1. TRUE
2. FALSE
3. FALSE
4. TRUE
5. FALSE
6. NOT GIVEN
7. TRUE
8. NOT GIVEN
9. CLIMB TREES
10. DEFENSIVE ATTACK
11. PLAY DEAD
12. RUN
13. ROCKS
IELTS Academic Reading Test