Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 469
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 469 – PASSAGE – 1
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 469
READING PASSAGE – 1
BIRDS OF NEW ZEALAND
Albatross
Albatross spend most of their lives at sea, returning to land (usually remote islands) to breed and raise their young. Their naturally low productivity, combined with changes in climate and habitat conditions and certain fishing practices, makes these seabirds vulnerable.
Bell bird
Most New Zealanders can easily recognize the bellbird by its song, which Captain Cook described as sounding like small bells exquisitely tuned. Bellbirds live in native forest and regenerating forest. Research has shown that mammalian predators, such as rats and stoats, keep their numbers low.
IELTS General Reading Test
Banded rail
They are usually quite shy but may become very tame and bold in some circumstances, Banded rail are sparsely distributed on the three main islands and many small offshore islands. In northern North Island they are confined to freshwater wetlands, mangroves, salt marshes and shrub lands. Predators such as cats, dogs. mustelids, and rats are a major problem for banded rails.
The kingfisher
The kingfisher is a distinctive bird with a green-blue back, buff to yellow undersides and a large black bill. It has a broad black eye-stripe and a white collar in adults. The females are slightly greener and duller. Nest sites are in cavities in trees, cliffs and banks with breeding from September to February. After leaving the nest chicks are fed by both parents for 7-10 days before they start to catch food for themselves.
IELTS General Reading Test
The kiwi
The Kiwi is a unique and curious bird. It cannot fly, has loose hair like feathers, strong legs and no tail. The kiwi is the national icon of New Zealand and unofficial national emblem. New Zealanders have been called “Kiwis’ since the nickname was bestowed by Australian soldiers in the First World War. Kiwi can’t fly, have under-developed wing and chest muscles, and lack a sternum (breastbone). This makes them particularly vulnerable to crushing injuries, such as those caused by dog bites.
Questions 1-7
Look at the following statements 1-7 and the list if New Zealand birds below.
Match each statement with the correct bird A-E.
Write the correct letter. A-E. in boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
1. The bird has a week body structure but has a national status.
2. The bird sounds like a cuckoo.
3. The fledglings of these birds still depend on parents for a short time after leaving the nest.
4. Though the bird lives at sea but breeds and raise its progeny at secluded islands.
5. The introvert bird becomes docile and daring in many conditions.
6. The bird is exceptional and inquisitive and categorized as flightless bird.
7. The seabirds are susceptible due to low productivity, climate changes habitat conditions and other fishing practices.
IELTS General Reading Test
List of Birds
A. Albatross
B. Bell bird
C. Branded rail
D. The Kingfisher
E. The Kiwi
IELTS General Reading Test
Read the passage and answer Questions 8-14.
WILD LIFE LIBRARY
Established in 1969 as the British Library of Wildlife Sounds, the collection now holds more than 240,000 scientifically organized and documented field recordings covering all classes of sound-producing animals from every zoogeographical region. These have been donated by private individuals, research zoologists and institutions such as the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and the New Zealand Wildlife Service. Most are unique to the Library.
More than 10,000 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects are represented, including many rare and threatened species. Most British and European species are covered, often with several examples illustrating the different vocalizations produced by a species. Nearly all recordings are of wild animals in their natural surroundings, though the collection does contain recordings of captive and domestic animals as well.
IELTS General Reading Test
The collection also contains:
• Atmospheric and environmental recordings from various habitats, including temperate woodlands, tropical rainforests, deserts and coastlines, and other natural sounds such as waterfalls, rivers, rainfall and thunder.
• Copies of collections used for major zoological research projects, for example the Professor W. H. Thorpe Chaffinch recordings and the Professor J. D. Pye ultrasonic recordings of bats and other animals.
• Almost every commercial wildlife sound recording published anywhere in the world, from the first 78 rpm disc of a singing bird, published in 1910, to the latest digital release. A number of natural history videos, DVDs and other moving image items also exist.
• The historic recordings of Ludwig Koch. Carl Weismann and other pioneers of wildlife sound recording.
IELTS General Reading Test
• A large number of recordings made for radio by the BBC Natural History Unit as well as significant BBC radio broadcasts such as Animal Language and The Living World and other documentary programs focusing on natural history and environmental issues.
• Oral history interviews with naturalists and biologists.
• A variety of printed resources including bioacoustics books, journals, magazines, discographies and catalogues.
Questions 8-14
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the text? In the spaces 8-14, write
TRUE: if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE: if the statement contradicts with the information
NOT GIVEN: if there is no information
IELTS General Reading Test
8. British Library of Wildlife Sounds is the only library which has collection of recordings covering all classes of sound-producing animals.
9. Virtually all recordings are of wild animals in their natural environment, nevertheless the assortment does include recordings of caged and domestic animals as well.
10. The anthology does not have atmospheric and ecological soundtracks from diverse territories.
11. The library also has natural olden times information videos.
12. Oral history interviews with naturalists and biologists can be used by anyone for research purpose.
13. Printed material is also available in the wild life library.
14. The library is harbinger for more than 10.000 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and insects including many rare and threatened species.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
ANSWERS
1. E
2. B
3. D
4. A
5. C
6. E
7. A
8. NOT GIVEN
9. TRUE
10. FALSE
11. TRUE
12. NOT GIVEN
13. TRUE
14. TRUE
IELTS General Reading Test