The tuatara – past and future
Read The tuatara – past and future and check the IELTS Reading answers. The New Zealand species of lizard, the tuatara, is firmly embedded in the national psyche: an icon for today which dates from the age of dinosaurs; an ancient reptile commemorated on the back of the five cent coin. New Zealande…
Passage preview
The New Zealand species of lizard, the tuatara, is firmly embedded in the national psyche: an icon for today which dates from the age of dinosaurs; an ancient reptile commemorated on the back of the five cent coin. New Zealanders feel an affinity with the tuatara, and accept that active conservation management is required to ensure it will be among the legacies left to future generations.
Vocabulary from this passage
12 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- accumulate verb
To gather together or acquire an increasing number or quantity of something over time
Scientific evidence continues to accumulate in favor of the hypothesis regarding early rat introductions.
- active conservation noun
Intentional and energetic management of natural resources or species to prevent exploitation or extinction
The species requires active conservation to ensure its survival for future generations of New Zealanders.
- affinity noun
A spontaneous or natural liking or sympathy for someone or something
Many New Zealanders feel a strong affinity with the tuatara, seeing it as a national icon.
- coexist verb
To exist at the same time or in the same place; often used for species living together
Research suggested that tuatara and kiore rats could not coexist in the same island environment.
- contemporary noun
A person or thing living or existing at the same time as another
Gunther and his contemporaries were heavily influenced by the recently published theories of Charles Darwin.
- demise noun
The end or failure of an enterprise or institution; in biology, the death or extinction of a species
Victorian scientists expressed surprisingly little concern about the probable demise of the tuatara.
- devoid adjective
Entirely lacking or free from; used to describe a place without specific features or life
We may no longer accept a mainland that is devoid of biological wonders like the tuatara.
- ecological warfare noun
Large-scale destruction or significant alteration of an environment, often by invasive species
The introduced rats were agents of ecological warfare, exterminating thousands of native species.
- eradication noun
The complete destruction or removal of something, such as a pest or disease
The eradication of rats from offshore islands has become a routine part of modern conservation.
- indigenous adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific region
Mainland sanctuaries could help re-establish indigenous fish species that once thrived in the rivers.
- surrogate noun
A substitute, especially a person or thing that takes the place of another
The author argues that introduced trout act as surrogate rats in New Zealand's waterways.
- visionary ambition noun
A strong desire to achieve something great through original and imaginative thinking
Modern conservationists should demonstrate visionary ambition by removing invasive pests from the mainland.
Answers with explanations
- 27. C
The text says the naturalists '**disregarded**' the tuatara. This indicates they had **no interest** in the reptile (Option C). The distractor about 'one island' is wrong because they found 'two large islands'. The claim they didn't come for natural history is wrong as 'naturalists' were present. The specimen was sent decades later, not in 1769. Answer: C.
- 28. B
The writer states Gunther and his peers were '**products of their age**', meaning he was **typical of his generation** (Option B). He did not disagree with Darwin; he was influenced by him. He expressed 'no concern' about extinction, contradicting the idea that he wanted to stop it. Answer: B.
- 29. B
The passage explains there were two species of rat, but Gunther '**failed to recognise the distinction**'. This means he incorrectly thought there was only **one species** (Option B). He knew they were predators, and he thought they were recent, not that they had 'always' been there. Answer: B.
- 30. D
Crook argued that even where tuatara and kiore are found together, it is just an 'extinction in progress'. This leads to the conclusion that **rats and tuatara cannot live together** (Option D). The text states tuatara thrive only where there are 'no rats', reinforcing this. Answer: D.
- 31. D
Holdaway's research suggests that rats (brought by early visitors) caused extinctions **before permanent humans** (Maori) arrived. This matches Option D: **rats caused extinctions before any humans settled**. Options about Maori settling more recently or Polynesians forming settlements are not the primary finding mentioned. Answer: D.
- 32. YES
The writer notes the hypothesis is 'still being debated' but 'evidence continues to accumulate'. This implies the theory is **supported by research** but, because of the ongoing debate, it remains a hypothesis that is **not yet fully proved**. This matches the statement. Answer: YES.
- 33. YES
The text states that since 1980, rat **eradication** has become '**routine**'. This confirms that it is now entirely possible to 'totally destroy' a rat population on an island. The term 'routine' implies successful and regular execution. Answer: YES.
- 34. NOT GIVEN
The passage mentions that practice changed *following* Crook's 1973 findings, and that islands now act as sanctuaries. However, it does **not explicitly state** that Crook was the **very first** person to recognize this specific potential. The information regarding his 'priority' in this specific idea is missing. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 35. NO
The statement claims numbers are 'continuing to fall'. However, the passage explicitly states the '**decline has been reversed**'. While the numbers are still small ('a fraction'), 'reversed' means they are no longer falling. This is a direct contradiction. Answer: NO.
- 36. B
The blank requires a noun related to the mind. The text states the research 'liberates the **imagination**'. Among the options, '**creative thought**' (Option B) is the closest synonym to 'imagination'. It fits the sentence structure 'frees our creative thought'. Answer: B.
- 37. D
The writer draws a direct comparison between rats (land pests) and a river inhabitant. The text identifies **trout** (Option D) as 'surrogate rats'. This matches the summary's example of similarities between rats and a specific species. Answer: D.
- 38. G
The summary asks about reintroducing a group to rivers. The passage mentions establishing 'indigenous fish'. The option '**native fish**' (Option G) is a direct synonym for 'indigenous fish'. This fits the context of restoring original species to the mainland. Answer: G.
- 39. F
The blank follows 'believe in the...'. The passage discusses 'creating the future' by establishing species again. This concept of bringing back what was lost is represented by the option '**restoration**' (Option F). It aligns with the visionary ambition described in the text. Answer: F.
- 40. H
The summary compares the future belief to what our generation 'refuses to accept'. The text states 'we now no longer tolerate **extinction**'. Therefore, Option H (**extinction**) is the correct term for the phenomenon currently rejected by society. Answer: H.