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
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- belie verb
To give a false impression of something, or to contradict a stated claim or popular notion.
Recent empirical data belie the assumption that these animals compete with cattle for food.
- captive-breeding programme noun
A structured conservation scheme where endangered animals are bred in protected facilities to prevent extinction.
The species was saved from extinction thanks to a successful captive-breeding programme.
- carnivorous adjective
Feeding primarily or exclusively on animal tissues or flesh; characterized by a meat-based diet.
The small carnivorous mammal preys on rodents to survive the harsh winter conditions.
- contract verb
To catch, acquire, or become infected with a disease, virus, or medical illness.
Wild populations can easily contract diseases if they come into close contact with domestic pets.
- disperse verb
To distribute, scatter, or spread widely over a geographic area or in various directions.
The population began to disperse across the continent after the last ice age ended.
- elusive adjective
Difficult to find, catch, track, or observe due to secretive habits, camouflage, or low population density.
Because they spend most time underground, these elusive creatures are rarely seen by humans.
- eradicate verb
To completely destroy, eliminate, or put an end to something, removing it entirely from an area.
Conservationists are working diligently to eradicate invasive species from the protected island sanctuary.
- extant adjective
Still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or completely extinct at the current point in history.
Scientists are studying the three extant species of this rare animal family.
- extermination noun
The complete destruction, systematic eradication, or total elimination of a population of living organisms.
The government launched an extermination campaign against pests destroying local agricultural crops.
- inextricably linked adjective
Closely and permanently joined or connected in a way that is impossible to separate or isolate.
The survival of the predator is inextricably linked to the population of its primary prey.
Answers with explanations
- 14. Siberian polecat
We need to identify the **relative** that **shares most characteristics** with the black-footed ferret. Paragraph B states that the **Siberian polecat** looks "more similar" and leads a "similar life" to the ferret. This matches "shares most characteristics", making "Siberian polecat" the correct completion. The instruction allows NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS, so this fits perfectly.
- 15. Europe
The sentence requires the geographical origin of **North American ferrets** (where they **originally come from**). Paragraph C details their evolution, stating that ferrets probably evolved in **Europe** before dispersing into North America. The noun "Europe" directly answers the origin question.
- 16. prairie dog
We need to find the ferret's **primary source of food**. Paragraph C mentions the creature that became "almost its sole **prey**" (which means main food source), identifying it as the **prairie dog**. This exact two-word noun phrase completes the sentence correctly.
- 17. B
We must match the event of an **appeal for evidence** being published to a specific year. Paragraph D explains that Dr Elliott Coues issued a "request for specimens" through a magazine (published appeal) in the year **1874**. Therefore, option B is correct.
- 18. H
The question asks for the year a **scheme for releasing** captive-born ferrets was **launched**. Paragraph H explicitly states that a "reintroduction programme" (scheme for releasing into the wild) began in the year **1991**. This directly corresponds to option H.
- 19. A
We are looking for the year the ferret **first appeared in a scientific work**. Paragraph D notes they were officially recognized by scientists when a description and drawing featured in a book in **1851**. This directly aligns with option A.
- 20. F
The event to match is the **discovery of a single ferret** leading to **renewed hope**. Paragraph G describes how a dog found a single carcass, which led to "efforts again being made to save the species." This specific event occurred in **1981**, leading us to option F.
- 21. G
The question asks when the **last wild-born** ferrets were **taken into captivity**. Paragraph G explains that the "remaining 18 individuals in the colony were trapped for a new captive-breeding programme" (taken into captivity). This event took place in **1985**, matching option G.
- 22. E
We need the year efforts were officially announced as having **failed**. Paragraph F states that the last captive ferret died, and the species was **declared extinct** (official failure) in January **1979**. Option E is therefore the correct match.
- 23. E
We must locate a paragraph detailing **reasons** for the ferret population's **sharp decrease**. Paragraph E explains that expanding agriculture led to the extermination of the ferret's main prey, the prairie dog. It explicitly states this result was "devastating for black-footed ferret populations." This confirms Paragraph E holds the correct information.
- 24. H
The question looks for the **procedure** by which ferrets are **taught to survive in the wild**. Paragraph H is entirely dedicated to describing how captive ferrets are placed in pens and trained to hunt live prey and use burrows so they can survive post-release. This makes Paragraph H the correct match.
- 25. D
We need to find **doubts about whether there was such an animal**. Paragraph D notes that after the initial 1851 discovery, no other specimens were seen for decades, causing scientists to "question their existence." This perfectly matches the concept of doubting the animal's reality, linking it to Paragraph D.
- 26. I
We are searching for a **reference to a site** that is **ideal for the release** of the ferrets. Paragraph I explicitly mentions the **Janos area** as the "obvious place" (ideal site) to reactivate the wild population due to its optimal ecosystem. This makes Paragraph I the correct answer.