Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test with Answers

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Updated on Apr 08, 2025, 12:29

In the IELTS Reading section, you’ll read three passages and answer 40 questions in 60 minutes. The texts come from books, journals, magazines or newspapers, and test your reading skills, such as understanding main ideas, recognising opinions, and identifying specific information.
 

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading passage explores the conservation efforts made to protect a rare bird species from extinction. You’ll read about the challenges faced, actions taken, and the results of those initiatives.


Let’s look at the Efforts To Save A Special Bird reading answer passage, questions, and answers with explanations.

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1. Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answer Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 – 13 based on the Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answer Passage below.

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2. Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Efforts To Save A Special Bird.

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3. Check Out Top 70 IELTS Reading Practice Test Questions with Answers

Below are some top free IELTS Reading Practice test online questions with detailed answers to enhance your IELTS preparation online. 

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1.

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answer Passage

General Information

  • Read Instructions: Understand each question before answering.
  • Manage Time: Spend about 20 minutes per passage.
  • Skim and Scan: Quickly get the main idea and find specific information.
  • Highlight Key Info: Underline essential words or phrases.
  • Answer All Questions: Attempt every question; no penalty for wrong answers.
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions and keep your attention on the task.
  • Check Spelling: Ensure correct spelling and grammar.
  • Transfer Answers Clearly: Write answers neatly on the answer sheet.
  • Don’t Dwell: Move on if stuck and return later.
  • Review: If time allows, review your answers.

 

 

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answer Passage

 

Last year, an international team of ornithologists devised a bold plan to rescue one of the world’s rarest birds. Gerrit Vyn reports.

 

Paragraph A. At first glance, the spoon-billed sandpiper resembles other small migratory birds of the sandpiper family that breed across the Arctic. But it is the only one to have developed a flattened bill that flares out into a ‘spoon’ at the end, and that makes it special. If it becomes extinct, thousands of years of evolution will come to an end, which would be a real tragedy.

The bird’s Russian name, kulik-lopaten, means ‘shovel beak’, which is an apt description of a remarkable structure. The bill is 19 mm long and 10 mm wide near the tip, and the edges are lined with sharp serrations, called papillae. Theories have varied as to how the bill functions; one suggestion is that the sandpiper sweeps it through the water in a similar fashion to its larger namesake, the spoonbill. But Nigel Clark, a leading authority on the sandpiper, says the comparison is misleading.

 

Paragraph B. Until a few years ago, the spoon-billed sandpiper had never been fully documented, which added to its fascination. But an air of mystery is not helpful if you’re a Critically Endangered species. So the organisation ‘Birds Russia’ decided to produce a photographic and audio record of this imperilled bird with the help of experts around the world. In May of last year, I joined the international expedition to one of the species’ last breeding strongholds in North-East Russia. The primary aim of the two-and-a-half month expedition, however, was to collect eggs from wild sandpipers; those eggs would then be hatched in captivity nearby. Later, the chicks would be flown to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) headquarters at Slimbridge in the UK, in order to establish a small, self-sustaining population there. These birds would provide a ‘safety net’, an insurance policy against the wild birds dying out.

 

Paragraph C. You might wonder why birds like the spoon-billed sandpiper travel such great distances, about 8,000 km in total, from their wintering grounds on the tropical coasts of Bangladesh, Burma and Vietnam in South-East Asia, to breed on the low land, commonly called tundra, in North-East Russia, but from the bird’s point of view it is worth it. Though they often arrive to find hostile, wintry weather while they are finding their mates and making their nests, there are relatively few predators there, and the abundance of insects that emerge during the brief but intense Arctic summer creates ideal conditions for raising their chicks.

 

Paragraph D. Two main factors are responsible for the sandpiper’s recent rapid decline: the ongoing destruction of stopover habitat on its migration route and hunting on its wintering grounds. The development of new industrial cities is destroying former tidal areas, where sandpipers and other migratory birds used to rest and refuel. Subsistence hunting is certainly a hazard in some Asian countries, where hunters trap birds for food. Conservationists are targeting this problem with small-scale interventions. For example, hunters from 40 villages have been given alternative sources of income, such as cool boxes in which they can take fish to sell at markets, in return for a halt to the bird-netting.

 

Paragraph E. Once the expedition team had reached its destination, it was seven days before we spotted the first sandpiper. In the following days, more began to arrive, and the males’ song was heard, advertising their patches of territory to potential mates.

As the sandpipers paired up, the song gave way to the quiet of egg-laying and incubation. In total, nine nests were found. The first one was lost to a predator, along with the female attending it. This was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of a tiny population to natural events, such as storms or predation.

The team then selected donor nests and transferred the eggs to specially prepared incubators. They collected 20 eggs in all, taking entire clutches each time – it was early in the breeding season, so the females were likely to lay replacements. Then, 50 days after our arrival, the moment arrived: I witnessed my first wild spoon-billed sandpipers hatch. I had been lying inside a wind-battered hide for 36 hours when I saw the first tiny chicks emerge from the eggs. Having hidden a microphone near the nest, I could also just hear their first calls. Later, I watched them stumbling through the 15 cm-high jungle of grasses on comically oversized legs and feet. But my joy was tempered by concern. Difficulties on their migration route and in their wintering areas meant that other tiny creatures like these faced immense dangers.

 

Paragraph F. The complex rescue plan does give some grounds for hope. Young chicks were flown to WWT Slimbridge last year and again this summer. A high-tech biosecure unit has been built for them there; it is divided in two, with the older birds in one section and this year’s chicks in the other. To minimise the risk of infections, staff change into full-body overalls and rubber shoes and wash their hands before entering. Hygiene is crucial: even a single strand of human hair could harm the chicks by becoming twisted around their legs or bills. The rescue plan’s final stage, once the captive flock has built up sufficiently, will be to fly eggs back to Russia to release the chicks there. It’s a gamble, but when the survival of a species this special is at stake, you have to try.

 

Let’s explore the questions and answers of the Efforts To Save A Special Bird reading answer passage.

2.

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answers with Sample Questions

Have you read the passage? Now, take the test and find Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading answers! Try to answer these questions by yourself before you sneak a peek at the answers given below.

Questions and Answers 1-6
  • Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answer Passage has six paragraphs, A-F.
  • Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.
  • Write the correct number i-viii in boxes 1-6.

 

List of Headings

 

i. Gaining public recognition

ii. Reasons for continuing to make the long journey

iii. A disappointment followed by desirable outcomes

iv. The main stages of the plan 

v. A growth in the number of natural predators

vi. Increasing threats

vii. A very unusual feature of these birds

viii. Cautious optimism

 

1. Section A

2. Section B

3. Section C

4. Section D

5. Section E

6. Section F
 

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answers with Explanations (1-6)

 

Type of question: Matching Headings

 

In this question type, you will be asked to choose the correct heading for each paragraph from a list of headings provided. This type of question assesses your ability to understand the main idea or theme of each paragraph.

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Familiarise yourself with the list of headings before reading the paragraphs. This helps you know what to look for.
  • Identify the main idea or theme of each paragraph by looking for topic sentences or recurring themes.
  • Find keywords or phrases that are similar to those in the headings. This can help you make connections.
  • Eliminate incorrect options that don't match any paragraphs to narrow down your choices.
  • Skim and Scan each paragraph efficiently to get a context about the content.

 

1. vii - A very unusual feature of these birds

 

Reference: From Paragraph A: "But it is the only one to have developed a flattened bill that flares out into a ‘spoon’ at the end, and that makes it special."

 

Explanation: This line highlights the bird's distinctive spoon-shaped bill, which sets it apart from other sandpipers. Since it’s the only one with this feature, the phrase "that makes it special" clearly signals an unusual characteristic. So, "a very unusual feature of these birds" is the most suitable heading.

 

2. iv - The main stages of the plan

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “The primary aim of the two-and-a-half month expedition, however, was to collect eggs from wild sandpipers; those eggs would then be hatched in captivity nearby. Later, the chicks would be flown to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) headquarters at Slimbridge in the UK, in order to establish a small, self-sustaining population there.”

 

Explanation: These lines describe the step-by-step rescue strategy for the spoon-billed sandpiper—egg collection, hatching in captivity, and transfer to the UK. This clear sequence of actions reflects the main stages of the conservation plan, making "the main stages of the plan" the correct answer.

 

3. ii - Reasons for continuing to make the long journey

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Though they often arrive to find hostile, wintry weather while they are finding their mates and making their nests, there are relatively few predators there, and the abundance of insects that emerge during the brief but intense Arctic summer creates ideal conditions for raising their chicks.”

 

Explanation: Despite the harsh climate, the birds benefit from fewer predators and plentiful food during the Arctic summer. These favourable breeding conditions explain why the birds continue to make such a long migration, supporting the heading "reasons for continuing to make the long journey."

 

4. vi - Increasing threats

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Two main factors are responsible for the sandpiper’s recent rapid decline: the ongoing destruction of stopover habitat on its migration route and hunting on its wintering grounds.”

 

Explanation: This sentence outlines the two major threats causing the bird’s population to fall—loss of habitat and hunting. These increasing dangers to the species clearly support the heading "increasing threats" as the best fit for this paragraph.

 

5. iii - A disappointment followed by desirable outcomes

 

Reference: From Paragraph E: “In total, nine nests were found. The first one was lost to a predator, along with the female attending it. This was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of a tiny population to natural events, such as storms or predation.”

 

Explanation: The initial nest’s failure due to predation represents a clear setback. However, the eventual discovery of more nests and the successful hatching of chicks show progress and hope, justifying the heading "a disappointment followed by desirable outcomes."

 

6. viii - Cautious optimism

 

Reference: From Paragraph F: “It’s a gamble, but when the survival of a species this special is at stake, you have to try.”

 

Explanation: The word "gamble" suggests uncertainty, while the effort to save the species shows determination and hope. This blend of uncertainty and hopefulness captures the essence of "cautious optimism," making it the most appropriate heading for this paragraph.

 

Also Read: 350+ English Vocabulary Words for IELTS

Questions and Answers 7-10
  • Choose the correct letter: A, B, C or D.
  • Write your answers in boxes 7-10 on your answer sheet.

 

7.  What was the main purpose of the international expedition?
A. to add sandpiper eggs to an international frozen egg bank
B. to maintain a small group of sandpipers for future generations
C  to make an audiovisual record of the Russian sandpiper colony
D. to protect a colony of wild sandpipers through a breeding season
 

8.  What do we learn about the drop in the sandpiper population?
A. The birds are increasingly being hunted on their way north to Russia.
B. Scientists are managing to reduce deaths from netting considerably.
C. Efforts are being made to protect some of their coastal habitat sites.
D. Economic growth is one of the underlying causes of the decline.
 

9.  Which feeling did the writer express when the sandpiper chicks hatched?
A. relief that his long wait was over
B. surprise at the sound of their song
C. worry about birds of the same species
D. amazement that they could walk so soon

 

10.  The writer describes the sandpipers’ unit at WWT Slimbridge to emphasise
A. how much care is being devoted to their welfare.
B. how much money is being spent on the project.
C. his surprise at how fragile the young birds are.
D. his confidence in the technology available.
 

Efforts To Save A Special Bird Reading Answers With Explanations (7-10)
 

Type of question: Multiple choice questions

 

In this question type, you are asked to answer the question followed by several options, typically lettered A, B, C, or D. The task is to select the correct answer from the given choices based on the information provided in the reading passage.

 

How to best answer: 
 

  • Read the question carefully and understand what it asks.
  • Pay attention to the keywords in the question.
  • Skim the passage quickly to locate relevant information.
  • Eliminate the clearly incorrect options.
  • Select the answer that best fits the information in the passage.

 

7. B - to maintain a small group of sandpipers for future generations

 

Reference: From Paragraph B: “In May of last year, I joined the international expedition to one of the species’ last breeding strongholds in North-East Russia. The primary aim of the two-and-a-half month expedition, however, was to collect eggs from wild sandpipers; those eggs would then be hatched in captivity nearby. Later, the chicks would be flown to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) headquarters at Slimbridge in the UK, in order to establish a small, self-sustaining population there.”

 

Explanation: This line clearly shows that the expedition's main goal was to create a stable population in captivity. The collected eggs were hatched and raised to serve as a backup in case wild populations went extinct. This makes "to maintain a small group of sandpipers for future generations" the correct answer.

 

8. D - Economic growth is one of the underlying causes of the decline.

 

Reference: From Paragraph D: “Two main factors are responsible for the sandpiper’s recent rapid decline: the ongoing destruction of stopover habitat on its migration route and hunting on its wintering grounds. The development of new industrial cities is destroying former tidal areas, where sandpipers and other migratory birds used to rest and refuel.”

 

Explanation: The line highlights that industrial development is replacing the tidal habitats used by the birds. This directly links economic expansion with the destruction of key stopover sites, contributing to the population drop. Hence, economic growth is a key cause of their decline.

 

9. C - worry about birds of the same species

 

Reference: From Paragraph E: “But my joy was tempered by concern. Difficulties on their migration route and in their wintering areas meant that other tiny creatures like these faced immense dangers.”

 

Explanation: Although the writer was initially happy about the hatching, he soon expressed concern for the survival of other birds of the same kind. The mention of dangers during migration and wintering grounds shows his worry about the species as a whole. Therefore, this makes "worry about birds of the same species" the right answer.

 

10. A - how much care is being devoted to their welfare.

 

Reference: From Paragraph F: “The complex rescue plan does give some grounds for hope. Young chicks were flown to WWT Slimbridge last year and again this summer. —---- It’s a gamble, but when the survival of a species this special is at stake, you have to try.”

 

Explanation: This line demonstrates the extreme measures being taken to protect the young sandpipers. The mention of full-body overalls and the risk of a single hair harming them shows the high level of attention and care. So, the correct answer is, “how much care is being devoted to their welfare”.

 

To build a strong word bank that can help you approach the Reading section with clarity and confidence, go through the Dictation Words for IELTS!

Questions and Answers 11-13
  • Complete the summary below.
  • Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the text for each answer.

 

The life cycle of the spoon-billed sandpiper

 

In early spring, spoon-billed sandpipers return to their breeding grounds in Russia in the area known as (11)________ Although the weather there is often very harsh, to begin with, there 

are obvious advantages to the sandpipers. There is, above all, a plentiful supply of (12)________, and this makes it possible for the sandpiper chicks to develop well. The lack of 

(13)________ is another definite advantage. As a result, a good proportion of the chicks grow up to face the long flight to the Southeast Asian coasts.
 

Efforts To Save A Special Bird  Reading Answers With Explanations (11-13)
 

Type of question: Summary completion

 

Under this task, you will be given a summary with incomplete sentences. However, you will not be given any list of words/phrases to choose the missing information. You must refer to the main passage to fill in the missing information. 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Read the summary to understand what information it’s missing.
  • Identify keywords and locate them in the main passage to find missing words. 
  • Review the context of the words you’ve chosen to match the summary.
  • Finalise your answers. 

 

11. Tundra

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “You might wonder why birds like the spoon-billed sandpiper travel such great distances, about 8,000 km in total, from their wintering grounds on the tropical coasts of Bangladesh, Burma and Vietnam in South-East Asia to breed on the low land, commonly called tundra, in North-East Russia, but from the bird’s point of view it is worth it.”

 

Explanation: This line clearly states that the spoon-billed sandpipers travel from South-East Asia to breed in an area known as tundra. The phrase “commonly called tundra” directly matches the question’s wording “area known as,” confirming that “tundra” is the correct answer.

 

12. Insects

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Though they often arrive to find hostile, wintry weather while they are finding their mates and making their nests, there are relatively few predators there, and the abundance of insects that emerge during the brief but intense Arctic summer creates ideal conditions for raising their chicks.”

 

Explanation: The line highlights that a large number of insects appear during summer in the tundra, which provides ideal feeding conditions for the chicks. This plentiful supply of insects supports healthy chick development, making “insects” the correct answer.

 

13. Predators

 

Reference: From Paragraph C: “Though they often arrive to find hostile, wintry weather while they are finding their mates and making their nests, there are relatively few predators there, and the abundance of insects that emerge during the brief but intense Arctic summer creates ideal conditions for raising their chicks.”

 

Explanation: The sentence explains that the breeding grounds have very few predators, offering a safer environment for the chicks. This absence of threats contributes to a higher survival rate, making “predators” the appropriate word to complete the sentence.
3.

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FAQs

Q. What are common keywords in the Efforts To Save A Special Bird reading passage?

Ans. You’ll often see keywords related to endangered species, conservation strategies, breeding programmes, and the Chatham Island robin. Scientific terms, names of researchers, specific locations, and years of important events are also frequently mentioned. These keywords help you quickly locate answers in the passage.

Q. How to answer matching headings questions in the Efforts To Save A Special Bird reading passage?

Ans. First, read each paragraph to understand its overall idea rather than just focusing on details. Then, match it with the heading that best summarises the main message. Eliminate headings that clearly don’t fit. Look for contrasts, problems, or solutions that stand out in the paragraph.

Q. What is a challenging aspect of Efforts To Save A Special Bird reading passage?

Ans. One challenging part is handling the technical and scientific language used throughout the passage. It can also be tricky to remember the differences between bird species or conservation efforts. Keeping track of small details and names can make it more demanding than a general passage.

Q. Are Efforts To Save A Special Bird passages part of the IELTS Academic or General Reading?

Ans. This passage is found in the IELTS Academic Reading test. It’s designed to assess your ability to understand complex and formal texts, often related to science, history, or research topics. Such passages are typical for candidates preparing for university or professional settings.

Q. Is it necessary to answer the questions in order?

Ans. No, it's not compulsory to answer the questions in sequence. If a question seems difficult, you can skip it and come back to it later. This helps save time and allows you to answer easier questions first, increasing your overall score potential.

Q. What should I do if I run out of time?

Ans. If you're short on time, quickly guess the remaining answers instead of leaving them blank. Look for keywords or clues that might help you make an educated guess. Sometimes, even scanning the paragraph can give you enough context for a likely answer.

Q. How can I practice effectively for the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. Use official IELTS practice tests regularly and time yourself strictly to improve speed and accuracy. Focus on understanding each question type and review incorrect answers to learn from your mistakes. Skimming, scanning, and paraphrasing practice also help greatly.

Ans. Trusted sources include the official IELTS website, Cambridge IELTS books, British Council, and IDP materials. Websites like IELTS Liz, IELTS Buddy, and Magoosh also provide quality practice. Always use sources with explanations and model answers for better understanding.

Q. How much time do I have to complete the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. You have exactly 60 minutes to answer 40 questions based on three passages. Time is tight, so you need to pace yourself—around 20 minutes per passage. There is no extra time for transferring answers, so you must write directly on the answer sheet.

Q. How can I solve the IELTS Reading section fast?

Ans. Develop skimming and scanning techniques to locate information quickly. Avoid reading every word. Instead, identify keywords in questions and match them to the relevant sections. Practice regularly under timed conditions to improve your reading speed and efficiency.

Q. How can I get 8.0 in IELTS reading?

Ans. Aim for at least 35 correct answers out of 40. Read a variety of academic texts daily to build vocabulary and comprehension. Practice all question types and analyse your mistakes to avoid repeating them. Focus on time management and improve your accuracy through mock tests.