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Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

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Updated on Jul 15, 2024, 10:51

The IELTS Reading section is designed to assess your reading comprehension skills through a variety of texts. You will encounter three long passages that are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers. Each passage is followed by a series of questions that test a range of reading skills, including your ability to identify main ideas, locate specific information, understand the writer's opinions, and recognise implied meaning.

 

In this section, you will have 60 minutes to read the passages and answer 40 questions. It is essential to manage your time effectively and practise different types of reading techniques, such as skimming and scanning, to complete the section within the allotted time.

 

To better prepare for the IELTS Reading section, you can take an IELTS practice test, which provides a realistic experience of the types of texts and questions you will face in the actual exam.

 

The passage "Nature On Display In American Zoos" explores the evolution of zoo design and the philosophy behind modern zoological exhibits in the United States. It delves into how these institutions balance education, conservation, and entertainment while providing naturalistic habitats for the animals.

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1. Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Passage

You should spend approximately 20 minutes answering Questions 1 - 13 based on the Reading Passage below. This approach can help manage time effectively during a reading comprehension activity or exam. 


 

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2. Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Question & Answers

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1.

Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading 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.

 

 

 

 

Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Passage

 

 

Paragraph A

 

The first zoo in the United States opened in Philadelphia in 1874, followed by the Cincinnati Zoo the next year. By 1940, there were zoos in more than one hundred American cities. The Philadelphia Zoo was more thoroughly planned and better financed than most of the hundreds of zoos that would open later. However, in its landscape and its mission to both educate and entertain, it embodied ideas about how to build a zoo that stayed consistent for decades. The zoos came into existence in the late nineteenth century during the transition of the United States from a rural and agricultural nation to an industrial one. 

 

 

Paragraph B

 

The population more than doubled between 1860 and 1990. As more middle-class people lived in cities, they began seeking new relationships with the natural world as a place for recreation, self-improvement, and Spiritual renewal. Cities established systems of public parks, and nature tourism, already popular, became even more fashionable with the establishment of national parks. Nature was thought to be good for people of all ages and classes. Nature study was incorporated into the school curriculum, and natural history collecting became an increasingly popular pastime. 

 

 

Paragraph C

 

At the same time, the fields of study which were previously thought of as ‘natural history’ grew into separate areas such as taxonomy, experimental embryology, and genetics, each with its own experts and structures. As laboratory research gained prestige in the zoology departments of American universities, the gap between professional and amateur scientific activities widened. Previously, natural history had been open to amateurs and was easily popularised, but research required access to microscopes and other equipment in laboratories, as well as advanced education. 

 

 

Paragraph D

 

The new zoos set themselves apart from travelling animal shows by stating their mission as the education and the advancement of science, in addition to recreation. Zoos presented zoology for the non-specialist at a time when the intellectual distance between amateur naturalists and laboratory-oriented zoologists was increasing. They attracted wide audiences and quickly became a feature of every growing and forward-thinking city. They were emblems of civic pride on a level of importance with art museums, natural history museums, and botanical gardens. 

 

 

Paragraph E

 

Most American zoos were founded and operated as part of the public parks administration. They were dependent on municipal funds, and they charged no admission fee. They tended to assemble as many different mammal and bird species as possible, along with a few reptiles, exhibiting one or two specimens of each, and they competed with each other to become the first to display a rarity, like a rhinoceros. In the constant effort to attract the public to make return visits, certain types of display came in and out of fashion; for example, dozens of zoos built special Islands for their large populations of monkeys. In the 1930s, the Works Progress Administration funded millions of dollars of construction at dozens of zoos. For the most part, the collections of animals were organised by species in a combination of enclosures according to a fairly loose classification scheme. 

 

 

Paragraph E

 

Although many histories of individual zoos describe the 1940s through the 1960s as a period of stagnation, and in some cases, there was neglect, new zoos continued to be set up all over the country. In the 1940s and 1950s, the first zoos designed specifically for children were built, some with the appeal of farm animals. An increasing number of zoos have tried new ways of organising their displays. In addition to the traditional approach of exhibiting like kinds together, zoo planners had a new approach of putting animals in groups according to their continent of origin and designing exhibits showing animals of particular habitats, for example, polar, desert, or forest. During the 1960s, a few zoos arranged some displays according to animal behaviour; the Bronx Zoo. for instance, opened its World of Darkness exhibit of nocturnal animals. Paradoxically, at the same time, zoo displays began incorporating ideas about the ecological relationships between animals, big cats, and primates, and they continued to be displayed in bathroom-like cages lined with tiles. 

 

 

Paragraph G

 

By the 1970s, a new wave of reform was stirring. Popular movements for environmentalism and animal welfare called attention to endangered species and to zoos that did not provide adequate care for their animals. More projects were undertaken by research scientists, and zoos began hiring full-time vets as they stepped up captive breeding programs. Many zoos that had been supported entirely by municipal budgets began recruiting private financial support and charging admission fees in the prosperous 1980s and 1990s. Zoos built realistic ‘landscape immersion’ exhibits, many of them around the theme of the tropical rainforest, and increasingly, conservation moved to the forefront of zoo agendas. 

 

 

Paragraph H

 

Although zoos were popular and proliferating institutions in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, historians have paid little attention to them. Perhaps zoos have been ignored because they were and remain still multi-purpose institutions, and as such, they fall between the categories of analysis that historians often use. In addition, their stated goals of recreation, education, the advancement of science, and the protection of endangered species have often conflicted. Zoos occupy a difficult middle ground between science and showmanship, high culture and low, remote forests and the cement cityscape, and wild animals and urban people.

 

 

To improve your vocabulary for the IELTS Reading section, read here.

2.

Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Question & Answers

Discover exciting and informative IELTS reading answers about Nature On Display In American Zoos

Questions and Answers 1-7
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 1-7 on your answer sheet, write

  • TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
  • FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
  • NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this in the passage

 

 

 

  1. The concepts on which the Philadelphia Zoo was based soon became unfashionable.
  2. The opening of zoos coincided with a trend for people to live in urban areas.
  3. During the period when many zoos were opened, the study of natural history became more popular in universities than in other scientific subjects.
  4. Cities recognised that the new zoos were as significant an amenity as museums.
  5. Between 1940 and 1960, some older zoos had to move to new sites in order to expand.
  6. In the 1970s, new ways of funding zoos were developed.
  7. There has been serious disagreement amongst historians about the role of the first zoos.

 

 

Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Answers with Explanations (1-7)

 

 

Type of question: Yes/No/Not Given(True/False/Not Given)

 

In this question type, you are required to determine whether the statements provided agree with, contradict, or are not mentioned in the reading passage. 

 

 

How to best answer: 

 

  • Understand what information is being presented and what is being asked.
  • Find relevant information in the reading passage that relates to the statement.
  • Determine if the statement agrees with, contradicts, or is not mentioned in the passage.
  • If the information is not explicitly provided in the passage, select 'Not Given' rather than making assumptions.
  • Base your answers solely on the information presented in the passage, avoiding personal opinions or outside knowledge.


 

1. False


 

Reference

 

From paragraph A: “However, in its landscape and its mission to both educate and entertain, it embodied ideas about how to build a zoo that stayed consistent for decades.”


 

Explanation

 

This statement indicates that the Philadelphia Zoo's approach remained influential and consistent over time, implying that its concepts did not become unfashionable. The passage emphasises the zoo's thorough planning and financial backing, contrasting it with later zoos, suggesting enduring relevance rather than obsolescence.



 

2. True


 

Reference

 

From paragraph A:  "The zoos came into existence in the late nineteenth century during the transition of the United States from a rural and agricultural nation to an industrial one."


 

Explanation

 

This statement accurately reflects the historical context provided in the passage. It highlights how zoos emerged during the late nineteenth century, coinciding with America's shift from an agrarian to an industrial society. As urbanisation increased, more people lived in cities, leading to a greater interest in recreational spaces like zoos as part of a new relationship with the natural world.


 

3. Not Given


 

Reference

 

From paragraph: N/A


 

Explanation

 

The passage does not explicitly discuss the popularity of natural history studies relative to other scientific disciplines in universities during the period mentioned.


 

4. True


 

Reference

 

From paragraph D: "They were emblems of civic pride on a level of importance with art museums, natural history museums, and botanical gardens."


 

Explanation

 

This statement correctly reflects the passage's description of zoos as significant cultural institutions. The passage notes that zoos were regarded by cities as prestigious amenities, akin to art museums and botanical gardens, underscoring their importance in civic pride and public culture.


 

5. Not Given


 

Reference

 

From paragraph: N/A

 

 

Explanation

 

 There is no specific information in the passage about older zoos relocating to new sites between 1940 and 1960. The passage primarily discusses the evolution of zoos and their societal roles but does not address the geographical or logistical changes of individual zoo locations during that period.


 

6. True


 

Reference

 

From paragraph G: "Many zoos that had been supported entirely by municipal budgets began recruiting private financial support and charging admission fees."


 

 

Explanation

 

This statement accurately reflects a shift in zoo funding strategies during the 1970s. As described in the passage, many zoos transitioned from relying solely on municipal funds to seeking private donations and implementing admission fees. This change was part of broader reforms aimed at securing financial stability and enhancing zoo operations.


 

7. False


 

Reference

 

From paragraph H: "Although zoos were popular and proliferating institutions in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, historians have paid little attention to them."


 

 

Explanation

 

This statement contradicts the passage, which indicates that despite their popularity, zoos have received relatively little attention from historians. The passage notes the multi-purpose nature of zoos and the complexities surrounding their roles in society, suggesting that historical analysis of zoos has been limited rather than contentious among historians.

 


 

Refer to tips and tricks for the IELTS Reading section to achieve a high band score.

Questions and Answers 8-13
  • Complete the notes below.
  • Choose NO MORE THAN ONE WORD from the passage for each answer.
  • Write your answers in blank spaces next to 8-13 on your answer sheet.

 

 

  • Up to 1940

More mammals and birds exhibited than

8. __________, 9. ______________ were very popular animals in many zoos at one time.

  • the 1940s and 1950s

Zoos started exhibiting animals according to their 10. ______________ and where they came from.

  • the 1960s

Some zoos categorised animals by

11. _______________.

  • the 1970s

12. _______________ were employed following protests about animal care.

  • the 1980s onwards

The importance of 13. ______________ became greater.

 

 

Nature On Display In American Zoos Reading Answers with Explanations (8-13)

 

 

Type of question: Notes completion

 

Under this task, you will be required to fill in missing information within a given text, often in the form of words, phrases, or sentences. These questions are designed to test your comprehension, attention to detail, and ability to infer meaning from context.

 

How to answer: 

 

  • Read the passage carefully to understand the context and main ideas.
  • Identify the type of information missing, such as words, phrases, or sentences.
  • Look for contextual clues or keywords surrounding the missing information.
  • Use logical reasoning and inference to fill in the missing parts.
  • Ensure that the completed notes are concise and grammatically correct.
  • Verify and finalise your answers. 


 

8. Reptiles


 

Reference

 

From paragraph E: “ They tended to assemble as many different mammal and bird species as possible, along with a few reptiles, exhibiting one or two specimens of each, and they competed with each other to become the first to display a rarity, like a rhinoceros.”


 

Explanation

 

Zoos aim to attract visitors by showcasing a wide array of mammals, birds, and occasionally reptiles. This diversity was intended to capture public interest and differentiate zoos from travelling animal shows, highlighting their commitment to offering comprehensive wildlife experiences.


 

9. Monkeys


 

Reference

 

From paragraph E: “In the constant effort to attract the public to make return visits, certain types of display came in and out of fashion; for example, dozens of zoos built special Islands for their large populations of monkeys.”


 

Explanation

 

During the mid-20th century, many zoos constructed specific habitats, like islands, to house extensive collections of monkeys. This strategic approach not only enhanced visitor engagement but also underscored zoos' evolving efforts to innovate and maintain public interest through captivating animal exhibits.


 

10. Habitat (s)


 

Reference

 

From paragraph F: “In addition to the traditional approach of exhibiting like kinds together, zoo planners had a new approach of putting animals in groups according to their continent of origin and designing exhibits showing animals of particular habitats, for example, polar, desert, or forest.”


 

Explanation

 

By categorising exhibits based on animals' native habitats, such as polar regions or deserts, zoos sought to provide educational experiences that emphasised conservation and environmental awareness. This shift from traditional species-focused displays to habitat-oriented exhibits reflected zoos' evolving role in promoting biodiversity and ecological understanding among visitors.


 

11. Behaviour


 

Reference

 

From paragraph F: “During the 1960s, a few zoos arranged some displays according to animal behaviour; the Bronx Zoo. for instance, opened its World of Darkness exhibit of nocturnal animals.”


 

Explanation

 

During the 1960s, zoos began adopting innovative exhibit designs that focused on showcasing animal behaviour, such as nocturnal habitats or group dynamics. This approach aimed to deepen visitors' understanding of wildlife biology and behavioural sciences, marking a significant departure from earlier static animal displays to more dynamic and educational experiences.


 

12. Vets


 

Reference

 

From paragraph G: “More projects were undertaken by research scientists, and zoos began hiring full-time vets as they stepped up captive breeding programs.”


 

Explanation

 

In response to growing concerns about animal welfare, zoos in the mid-20th century started employing full-time veterinarians. This proactive step not only addressed health and care issues but also underscored zoos' commitment to improving animal management practices and ensuring the well-being of their inhabitants.


 

13. Conservation


 

Reference

 

From paragraph G: “Zoos built realistic ‘landscape immersion’ exhibits, many of them around the theme of the tropical rainforest, and increasingly, conservation moved to the forefront of zoo agendas.”


 

Explanation

 

From the 1980s onwards, zoos increasingly prioritised conservation efforts, which is evident in the development of immersive exhibits like tropical rainforests. These initiatives aimed to educate visitors about environmental conservation and support endangered species preservation, reflecting zoos' evolving role as advocates for wildlife protection and ecological sustainability.


 

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FAQs

Q. Are there any tips for guessing answers in the IELTS Reading test?

Ans. When guessing answers in the IELTS Reading test, eliminate obviously incorrect options first. Use context clues and your understanding of the passage to make educated guesses. Avoid random guessing and focus on maximising your chances by narrowing down possibilities.

Q. How is the IELTS Reading test scored?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test is scored on a scale from 0 to 9 bands. Each correct answer contributes to your overall score, which is calculated based on the number of correct answers. Scores are rounded to the nearest half-band (e.g., 6.5, 7.0).

Q. What is the IELTS Reading test format?

Ans. The IELTS Reading test format consists of three sections with a total of 40 questions. The passages in each section are taken from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers, reflecting the types of texts you might encounter in an academic or everyday English-speaking environment. Each section gets progressively harder, with texts becoming more complex and challenging as you proceed.