Back to wild
Read Back to wild and check the IELTS Reading answers. The Przewalski Horse is the last wild horse. The horse is named after the Russian colonel Nikolai Przewalski (the name is of Polish origin and "Przewalski" is the Polish spelling). He was the explorer and naturalist who first described the hors…
Passage preview
The Przewalski Horse is the last wild horse. The horse is named after the Russian colonel Nikolai Przewalski (the name is of Polish origin and "Przewalski" is the Polish spelling). He was the explorer and naturalist who first described the horse in 1881, after having gone on an expedition to find it, based on rumors of its existence. Many of these horses were captured around 1900 by Carl Hagenbeck and placed in zoos. Many of these horses were captured, reproduced and formed today’s population. As noted above, about twelve to fifteen formed today's population.
Vocabulary from this passage
8 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- adulterate verb
To render something poorer in quality by adding another substance, typically an inferior or unwanted one; to contaminate.
Crossbreeding with domestic animals can adulterate the pure genetic lineage of wild species in the project.
- expedition noun
A journey undertaken by a group of people with a particular purpose, especially that of exploration or scientific research.
Scientists organized a major expedition to the remote region to locate the last remaining members of the species.
- gene pool noun
The stock of different genes in an interbreeding population, which is essential for maintaining high levels of biological diversity.
A diverse gene pool is necessary for the long-term health and adaptability of reintroduced wildlife populations.
- genetic reservoir noun
A population or gene pool that preserves the genetic diversity of a species to ensure its future survival.
The captive herd serves as a genetic reservoir in case the wild population faces a sudden environmental disaster.
- hybrid noun
An offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of two different species or subspecies, often possessing a mixture of parental traits.
The project aims to prevent the birth of hybrids to maintain the integrity of the original species.
- native adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; indigenous to a specific geographical region rather than introduced by humans.
The Przewalski horse is native to the vast grasslands of Central Asia and the Eurasian steppe.
- naturalist noun
An expert in or student of natural history, typically one who conducts field research on various plants and animals.
The naturalist spent several years documenting the unique behavior of wild horses in the Eurasian steppe.
- reintroduction programme noun
A coordinated effort to release animal species back into an area where they were previously extinct or significantly displaced.
Conservationists launched a reintroduction programme to restore the native population of wild horses to the Mongolian plains.
Answers with explanations
- 1. NOT GIVEN
The passage states the **World Wild Fund** is **supporting the Przewalski Horse project**. However, there is no mention of whether they are supporting a **number of horse projects around the world**. Since the text does not confirm or deny if multiple projects are supported globally, the information is missing. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims Przewalski identified the species from **live specimens**. The text explicitly states that **Colonel Nikolay Przewalski identified different kind of the horse by using the bones and skins**, which indicates dead specimens. This directly contradicts the claim. Answer: FALSE.
- 2-3: YES
2: The statement claims Przewalski identified the species from **live specimens**. The text explicitly states that **Colonel Nikolay Przewalski identified different kind of the horse by using the bones and skins**, which indicates dead specimens. This directly contradicts the claim. Answer: FALSE.
3: The statement says zoos had **difficulty acquiring** these horses. The passage confirms they are **very difficult to catch** and notes that **only a few that exist in the zoo**, directly supporting the idea that acquiring them was challenging. Answer: TRUE.
- 3. TRUE
The statement says zoos had **difficulty acquiring** these horses. The passage confirms they are **very difficult to catch** and notes that **only a few that exist in the zoo**, directly supporting the idea that acquiring them was challenging. Answer: TRUE.
- 3-4: ["freshwater pike","pike"]
3: The statement says zoos had **difficulty acquiring** these horses. The passage confirms they are **very difficult to catch** and notes that **only a few that exist in the zoo**, directly supporting the idea that acquiring them was challenging. Answer: TRUE.
4: The statement claims the **Causse Méjean landscape** is **very different** from their Mongolian home. The text explicitly contradicts this by stating the landscape is **quite similar to that in Mongolia where the horse used to live**. Answer: FALSE.
- 4. FALSE
The statement claims the **Causse Méjean landscape** is **very different** from their Mongolian home. The text explicitly contradicts this by stating the landscape is **quite similar to that in Mongolia where the horse used to live**. Answer: FALSE.
- 5. 1945
The blank requires a year marking when the horses were only in zoos. The passage states that **After 1945**, the only remaining horses were two **captive populations in zoos** in Munich and Prague. Thus, '1945' fits perfectly both syntactically and semantically.
- 6. 1960s
The blank needs a time period for when the horses became **extinct in the wild**. The text explicitly notes the **wild population in Mongolia dying out in the 1960s**. The term 'dying out' directly corresponds to 'became extinct'. Therefore, '1960s' is the correct answer.
- 7. 6000 hours
The blank requires an amount of time taken to change their **aggressive habits**. The text states Feh **spent 6000 hours to do the experiment, to change the nature** of the horses to **attack and fight** other species. '6000 hours' accurately reflects this duration.
- 8. 13000 hectares
The blank requires a measurement or description of the land area. The passage mentions Feh took the horses to Mongolia to **roam in an area of 13000 hectares grassland**. The phrase '13000 hectares' accurately describes the extent of the land provided to the free-running herd.
- 9. Wild Horse Mesh
The blank needs the proper name of Feh's **broader plan**. The text explicitly states that **Feh’s project is also known as “Wild Horse Mesh”**. This provides the specific title of the initiative, fitting the grammatical requirement perfectly.
- 10. genetic reservoir
The question asks what the **herd of 37 horses provide** during a disaster. The text states they serve as a **genetic reservoir if their species is under threat of extinction**. The phrase 'threat of extinction' parallels 'disaster', making 'genetic reservoir' the exact answer.
- 11. grazing pressure
The question asks for the **principal cause of loss of pasture** in Mongolia. The text explicitly answers this by stating the **decline of pasture in Mongolia is mainly because of grazing pressure**. The phrase 'grazing pressure' fulfills the short answer criteria.
- 12. three
The question asks **how many groups** have been **re-established**. The passage directly states **There are three groups** of the Przewalski horse in the plan which has been **reestablished by Feh**. The number 'three' precisely answers the quantity question.
- 13. stabilise the population
The question asks for the **main aim of the reintroduction project**. The text explains that organisers decided to place the horses in a fenced-off area specifically to **stabilise the population** and prevent losing their gene pool. This represents their primary short-term goal.