A survivor's story
Read A survivor's story and check the IELTS Reading answers. *The morepork*
Passage preview
*The morepork*
Vocabulary from this passage
8 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- accumulative adjective
Growing or increasing steadily over time through gradual additions or successive accumulations
The accumulative effects of mild environmental pollution pose a severe long-term threat to global ecosystems.
- acute adjective
Present or experienced to a severe or intense degree; having or demonstrating a perceptive understanding
The ongoing drought has caused an acute shortage of potable water in rural agricultural communities.
- ample adjective
More than enough in size, scope, or capacity; plentiful and sufficient for a specific purpose
The government provided ample funding to ensure the comprehensive completion of the infrastructural development project.
- culprit noun
A person, thing, or factor responsible for a particular fault, problem, or negative outcome
Industrial runoff was identified as the primary culprit behind the severe contamination of the river.
- demise noun
The end or failure of an enterprise, institution, or species; the cessation of existence
The rapid demise of the local newspaper industry was precipitated by the rise of digital media.
- herald verb
To be a sign that something important is about to happen; to enthusiastically acclaim or announce
The groundbreaking medical discovery was widely heralded as a cure for previously untreatable genetic conditions.
- mystify verb
To utterly bewilder or perplex someone, making a situation or phenomenon entirely incomprehensible
The sudden disappearance of the ancient civilization continues to mystify archaeological researchers worldwide.
- predation noun
The preying of one animal on others; the exploitation or systematic destruction of a vulnerable group
Ecologists warned that increased predation by invasive species could entirely decimate the indigenous bird populations.
Answers with explanations
- 1. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions that **European settlers arrived** when the owl was widespread, but there is no information provided about whether these settlers **made detailed studies** of the morepork. Therefore, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims the rat had a negative effect on laughing owls. However, the text explicitly states the laughing owl **turned the tables** and **adapted its diet to include the rodent**, meaning they hunted and ate the rats. Since the text contradicts the statement, the answer is FALSE.
- 2-3: FALSE
2: The statement claims the rat had a negative effect on laughing owls. However, the text explicitly states the laughing owl **turned the tables** and **adapted its diet to include the rodent**, meaning they hunted and ate the rats. Since the text contradicts the statement, the answer is FALSE.
3: The passage describes the morepork as **the smaller owl** in comparison to the laughing owl. This confirms that the laughing owl was indeed **larger than the morepork**. Thus, the statement is TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The passage describes the morepork as **the smaller owl** in comparison to the laughing owl. This confirms that the laughing owl was indeed **larger than the morepork**. Thus, the statement is TRUE.
- 3-4: untrue
3: The passage describes the morepork as **the smaller owl** in comparison to the laughing owl. This confirms that the laughing owl was indeed **larger than the morepork**. Thus, the statement is TRUE.
4: The text clearly states that the morepork's **eggs and chicks** (which represent **young moreporks**) are **at risk from rats**. Since the text directly supports the statement, the answer is TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The text clearly states that the morepork's **eggs and chicks** (which represent **young moreporks**) are **at risk from rats**. Since the text directly supports the statement, the answer is TRUE.
- 5. FALSE
The statement suggests the Department of Conservation hopes to **limit the population** of moreporks. In contrast, the passage says they are taking steps to **ensure the preservation** of the owl and hope it will **survive and thrive**. Because the text directly contradicts the claim, the answer is FALSE.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
While the passage mentions the morepork's melancholy sound and call, there is no mention of **other bird species being frightened away** when they **hear the morepork's cry**. Because this specific piece of information cannot be found, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 7. FALSE
The statement claims the low call had **negative associations**. However, the text states that the **lower-pitched** call **heralded good news**. Since good news is a positive association, the statement contradicts the text. The answer is FALSE.
- 8. 29 centimeters
The notes require the length of the morepork. The text states they are **around 29 centimeters long**. **Around** functions as a synonym for **approximately**, and **long** matches **in length**. The exact noun phrase to complete the note is **29 centimeters**.
- 9. rocks
The notes describe where moreporks nest: **trees, plants or spaces in roots and...** The text lists **tree hollows**, **clumps of plants**, and **cavities among rocks and roots**. The missing noun that completes the list is **rocks**.
- 10. bill
The notes state the morepork **transports its prey using its...** The text explains that the owl **carries away** its prey in its **bill**. Therefore, **bill** is the correct noun to complete the sentence.
- 11. day
The notes mention that the morepork can be **chased away by other birds during the...** The text specifies that this phenomenon happens **In the day**, when small birds mob them. The correct word is **day**.
- 12. plovers
The notes describe moreporks attacking a species that was **introduced to Motuora island**. The text mentions scientists establishing a **population of plovers** on the island, but the moreporks **ate or chased away** the new arrivals. The species they attacked was the **plovers**.
- 13. poison
The notes state moreporks may be exposed to a harmful substance in their prey. The text explains they could be affected by an accumulative **poison** by **consuming prey** that has already ingested it. The correct word is **poison**.