The return of the black-footed ferret
Read The return of the black-footed ferret and check the IELTS Reading answers. The black-footed ferret (*Mustela nigripes*) is a small carnivorous mammal, similar in length to a domestic cat, and is the only ferret species native to North America. For at least 100,000 years they lived in an area t…
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The black-footed ferret (*Mustela nigripes*) is a small carnivorous mammal, similar in length to a domestic cat, and is the only ferret species native to North America. For at least 100,000 years they lived in an area that extended almost uninterrupted from southern Canada to northern Mexico. But numbers fell dramatically throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, to such an extent that the black-footed ferret was declared 'possibly extinct'. Then, almost miraculously, it returned from the dead.
Vocabulary from this passage
22 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- belie verb
To show that an assumption, statement, or belief is false or inaccurate
The country's robust economic growth figures belie widespread poverty in rural provinces.
- drastically reduce verb
To make something much smaller in number, amount, size, or severity
Investing in public transit can drastically reduce urban traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions.
- elusive adjective
Difficult to find, capture, see, or achieve despite continuous effort
A durable peace agreement remained elusive despite months of intense diplomatic negotiations.
- eradicate verb
To completely destroy or remove something so that it no longer exists
Global vaccination campaigns successfully helped eradicate smallpox from the human population in the twentieth century.
- exemplary adjective
Providing an outstanding model that is worthy of admiration and imitation by others
The university recognized the medical student for displaying exemplary conduct during the public health crisis.
- extant adjective
Still existing in the present time and not destroyed, lost, or completely extinct
Scholars spent decades analyzing the few extant manuscripts written by the medieval philosopher.
- gather momentum verb
To gain speed, support, or popularity at an increasingly rapid rate
The transition toward electric vehicles began to gather momentum after governments introduced financial subsidies.
- in a bid to phrase
With the specific intention of achieving, solving, or attempting something difficult
The government raised interest rates in a bid to curb escalating domestic inflation.
- inextricably linked phrase
Joined together so closely that it is impossible to separate or divide them
Economic prosperity and access to quality higher education are inextricably linked in modern societies.
- in keeping with phrase
In a way that matches, agrees with, or follows an established tradition or rule
The new library was constructed using recycled timber, in keeping with modern environmental standards.
- in layman's terms phrase
Expressed using simple and plain language that ordinary people can easily understand
The astrophysicist explained quantum mechanics in layman's terms so the general audience could follow.
- intricate details noun
Small, delicate parts or decorations that are complex and carefully arranged
The software engineer examined the intricate details of the encryption protocol to identify vulnerabilities.
- logical inconsistency noun
A contradiction between two ideas, statements, or rules within an argument
The auditor pointed out a logical inconsistency in the company's annual financial report.
- mass production noun
The manufacturing of large quantities of standardized goods using mechanized and continuous processes
The rapid adoption of mass production during the Industrial Revolution lowered the cost of clothing significantly.
- on moral grounds phrase
Based on principles of right and wrong rather than legal or practical reasons
Many consumers refuse to purchase fast fashion products on moral grounds regarding worker exploitation.
- predominantly adverb
Mostly or mainly in terms of composition, quantity, or general character
The local economy relies predominantly on international tourism and seasonal agricultural exports.
- profound effect noun
A major impact that strongly influences the way something develops or behaves over time
The introduction of artificial intelligence has had a profound effect on modern healthcare diagnostic methods.
- radical shift noun
A fundamental and major change in policy, perspective, attitude, or societal structure
Transitioning to zero-carbon energy requires a radical shift in industrial manufacturing practices.
- rudimentary adjective
Limited to basic principles and not yet fully developed or advanced
Early hominids relied on rudimentary stone tools to hunt and process food.
- sentient adjective
Able to feel sensations, experience physical pain, and perceive emotions consciously
Ethicists debate whether advanced artificial intelligence models will ever become genuinely sentient.
- slippery slope noun
A situation where taking one step leads inevitably to a dangerous chain of events
Critics warned that relaxing data privacy laws would create a slippery slope toward widespread state surveillance.
- surpass verb
To become better, greater, or more advanced than something else
Renewable energy generation is expected to surpass fossil fuel consumption within the next two decades.
Answers with explanations
- 14. Siberian polecat
The gap requires a **singular noun phrase** identifying an animal relative. Scanning paragraph B for taxonomic comparisons, the passage notes that within the subgenus, the **Siberian polecat** **looks more similar** to the black-footed ferret and leads a similar life. The prompt's **shares most characteristics** directly paraphrases looking similar and leading a similar lifestyle. The two-word name **Siberian polecat** fits the grammatical completion and meets the word limit.
- 15. Europe
The gap requires a **proper noun** denoting a geographical place of origin. Scanning paragraph C for the evolutionary origin of ferrets, the text states that ferrets **probably evolved in Europe** before dispersing across a land bridge to North America. The phrase **originally come from** matches the source's **evolved in**. The single-word answer **Europe** fits the prepositional phrase and adheres to the stated word limit.
- 16. prairie dog
The gap requires a **compound noun** naming a prey animal. Scanning paragraph C for dietary information, the text states that the creature's **sole prey** was the **prairie dog**. The prompt's **primary source of food** paraphrases **sole prey**. The exact two-word term **prairie dog** functions as the grammatical subject of the sentence and satisfies the two-word limit.
- 17. B
The prompt describes a published appeal for evidence. Scanning paragraph D for media notices, the text states that in **1874**, Dr Elliott Coues **issued a request for specimens** through the magazine **The American Sportsman**. The phrase **issued a request** directly matches **appeal ... was published**. This links the event specifically to the date **1874**, whereas 1851 relates to Audubon's scientific book publication.
- 18. H
The statement refers to the launch of a release programme for captive ferrets. Scanning paragraph H for release efforts, the opening sentence explicitly states that a **reintroduction programme began in 1991**. The term **reintroduction programme** corresponds to releasing captive animals back into the wild, and **began** matches **launched**. This connects the action uniquely to **1991**, ruling out earlier captive-breeding dates like 1985.
- 19. A
The statement focuses on the first appearance of the ferret in scientific literature. In paragraph D, the text records that black-footed ferrets were not **recognized by scientists until 1851**, when a description and drawing **featured in a book** by John James Audubon. The phrase **featured in a book** by naturalists matches **appeared in a scientific work**. Thus, the correct year is **1851**, ruling out 1874 which describes a magazine appeal.
- 20. F
The prompt refers to a single discovery restoring hope for the species. Scanning paragraph G for individual encounters, the text describes how in **1981**, a farm dog found a dead ferret, which **led to efforts again being made** to save the species. The phrase **efforts again being made** parallels **renewed hope**. This directly identifies the year as **1981**, whereas 1985 refers to trapping the remaining wild ferrets.
- 21. G
The statement concerns taking the final wild ferrets into captivity. In paragraph G, the text describes a disease outbreak and states that in **1985**, the **remaining 18 individuals** in the wild colony were **trapped for a new captive-breeding programme**. The phrase **trapped for ... captive-breeding** matches **taken into captivity**. This isolates the date as **1985**, distinguishing it from the initial discovery year of 1981.
- 22. E
The statement refers to an official declaration of failure in saving the ferret. Scanning paragraph F for extinction notices, the passage states that in **January 1979**, the last ferret in captivity died, making it the first mammal to be **declared extinct** in the 20th century. Being **declared extinct** represents the formal acknowledgment that preservation efforts had failed. Therefore, the matching date is **1979**.
- 23. E
The statement requires locating reasons for the steep population decline. Paragraph E explains that as agriculture and ranching expanded across North America, the ferret's primary food source was **eradicated from 98%** of its range, producing a **devastating** impact on ferret numbers. The discussion of habitat conversion and prey extermination provides the explicit **reasons for the sharp decrease**, confirming paragraph E as the correct location over other paragraphs describing rediscovery.
- 24. H
The statement seeks the procedure used to prepare ferrets for life in the wild. Paragraph H outlines a multi-stage training routine: captive ferrets are placed in pens, fed prairie dog meat to recognise prey, presented with **live prey** to encourage hunting, and lured into burrows with food. This step-by-step description matches the **procedure by which black-footed ferrets are taught to survive**, uniquely pointing to paragraph H.
- 25. D
The prompt asks for doubts regarding the ferret's existence. In paragraph D, the text notes that after Audubon's 1851 publication, no specimens were seen for over twenty years, leading scientists to **question their existence**. The phrase **question their existence** directly mirrors the prompt's **mention of doubts about whether there was such an animal**. Paragraph D is therefore the only section discussing scientific scepticism.
- 26. I
The statement refers to an ideal release location. Scanning paragraph I for release areas, the text identifies the **Janos area** as the **obvious place** to re-establish wild populations due to its thriving grassland ecosystem and abundant food supply. The phrase **obvious place to reactivate** directly corresponds to **a site which is ideal for the release**, confirming that paragraph I contains the target information.