Why Zoos are Good IELTS Reading Answers

1. In my view, 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. Their movement might be somewhat restricted, but they have a safe environment in which to live, and they are spared bullying and social ostracism by others of their kind. They do not suffer from the threat or stress of predators or the irritation and pain of parasites or injuries. The average captive animal will have a greater life expectancy compared with its wild counterpart and will not die of drought, of starvation or in the jaws of a predator. A lot of very nasty things happen to truly ‘wild’ animals that simply don’t happen in good zoos, and to view a life that is ‘free’ as one that is automatically ‘good’ is, I think, an error. Furthermore, zoos serve several key purposes.
2. Firstly, zoos aid conservation. 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 or were simply discovered very late in the day. A species protected in captivity can be bred up to provide a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos. Still more only exist in the wild because they have been reintroduced from zoos, or have wild populations that have been boosted by captive bred animals. Without these efforts, fewer species would be alive today. Although reintroduction successes are few and far between, the numbers are increasing, and the very fact that species have been saved or reintroduced as a result of captive breeding proves the value of such initiatives.
3. Zoos also provide education. Many children and adults, especially those in cities, will never see a wild animal beyond a fox or pigeon. While it is true that television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive, and many natural history specimens are on display in museums, there really is nothing to compare with seeing a living creature in the flesh, hearing it, smelling it, watching what it does and having the time to absorb details. That alone will bring a greater understanding and perspective to many, and hopefully give them a greater appreciation for wildlife, conservation efforts and how they can contribute.
4. In addition to this, there is also the education that can take place in zoos through signs, talks and presentations which directly communicate information to visitors about the animals they are seeing and their place in the world. This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work. Many zoos also work directly to educate conservation workers in other countries, or send their animal keepers abroad to contribute their knowledge and skills to those working in zoos and reserves, thereby helping to improve conditions and reintroductions all over the world.
5. Zoos also play a key role in research. If we are to save wild species and restore and repair ecosystems we need to know about how key species live, act and react. 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. Finding out about, for example, the oestrus cycle of an animal of its breeding rate helps us manage wild populations. Procedures such as capturing and moving at-risk or dangerous individuals are bolstered by knowledge gained in zoos about doses for anesthetics, and by experience in handling and transporting animals. This can make a real difference to conservation efforts and to the reduction of human-animal conflicts, and can provide a knowledge base for helping with the increasing threats of habitat destruction and other problems.
6. In conclusion, considering the many ongoing global threats to the environment, it is hard for me to see zoos as anything other than essential to the long-term survival of numerous species. This was an area where zoos used to be lacking, but they are now increasingly sophisticated in their communication and outreach work. They are vital not just in terms of protecting animals, but as a means of learning about them to aid those still in the wild, as well as 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. A species protected in captivity can be bred up to provide a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos.

Questions 14-17 

Reading Passage 2 has six paragraphs, A-F.

Which paragraph contains the following information?

Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.

Questions 18-22
Do the following statements agree with the information given in Reading Passage?
In boxes 18-22 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

Questions 23 and 24

Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Write the correct letters in boxes 23 and 24 on your answer sheet.

Which TWO of the following are stated about zoo staff in the text?

1. Some take part in television documentaries about animals
2. Some travel to overseas locations to join teams in zoos.
3. Some get experience with species in the wild before taking up zoo jobs.
4. Some teach people who are involved with conservation projects.

Questions 25 and 26

Choose TWO letters, A-E

Write the correct letters in boxes 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.

Which TWO of these beliefs about zoos does the writer mention in the text?

1. They can help children overcome their fears of wild animals.
2. They can increase public awareness of environmental issues.
3. They can provide employment for a range of professional people.
4. They can generate income to support wildlife conservation projects.
5. They can raise animals which can later be released into the wild.

   Answers 23 and 24

   Answer 23: B
   Explanation: "..or send their animal keepers overseas to share their expertise with those who work in zoos and reserves." This implies that certain zoo employees, known as animal keepers, go abroad to assist other zoo employees.
   Answer 24: D
   Explanation: "A lot of zoos also directly instruct conservation workers abroad." – Conservation workers or those working on conservation projects can learn from zoo employees. Thus, D is right.
   

   Answers 25 and 26

   Answer 25: B
   Explanation: Therefore, the following is a paraphrase of the sentence: zoos can raise public awareness of environmental issues.
   Answer 26: E
   Explanation: According to paragraph B, some zoo animals have been released back into the wild, or the introduction of captive-bred species has boosted wild populations. The phrase "reintroduce" refers to raising animals in zoos before being released into the wild.