A survivor's story
Read A survivor's story and check the IELTS Reading answers. As an island country with a fauna dominated by birds, New Zealand was once home to an owl species which is now extinct, the laughing owl', named for its distinctive cry. This bird was widespread throughout the islands when European settle…
Passage preview
As an island country with a fauna dominated by birds, New Zealand was once home to an owl species which is now extinct, the laughing owl', named for its distinctive cry. This bird was widespread throughout the islands when European settlers arrived in the middle of the 19th century and it remained in good numbers for some years thereafter. Where other native birds suffered from predation by the Polynesian rat, the laughing owl turned the tables and adapted its diet to include the rodent. It was also capable of catching and killing the other New Zealand owl, the morepork, and even larger birds, such as the weka. However, the laughing owl was wiped out around the beginning of the 20th century. Its demise caused by specimen collectors, habitat changes, and non-native predators including cats and stoats. Surprisingly, it is the smaller owl, the morepork, that has managed to survive until this day.
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**.