Bumblebee Conservation- IELTS Reading Answers.

Reading Passage

Bumblebee Conservation

Questions 1-6

List of Headings

1. Getting the agricultural industry to help
2. Keeping bumblebees away from gardens

iii. Effects of the disappearance of bumblebees

1. The importance of gardens
2. Getting help from TV programs about gardening
3. Obtaining wildflower seeds from the countryside

vii. Obtaining wildflower seeds

viii. The economic importance of bumblebees

1. The future of bumblebee conservation
2. The necessary conditions for bumblebee conservation
3. Why farming is killing bumblebees

Example Answer

Paragraph A iii

1 Paragraph B

2 Paragraph C

3 Paragraph D

4 Paragraph E

5 Paragraph F

6 Paragraph G

Questions 7-10

7 According to the information in the text, the decline of bumblebees will

A cause the extinction of other species.

B cause serious problems for gardeners.

C cause significant environmental problems.

D cause farmers to go out of business.

8 According to the information in the text, problems caused by the decline of bumblebees

A will start to occur soon.

B may have started to occur.

C have started to occur.

D is already quite serious.

9 According to the information in the text, farmers should be encouraged to

A  recreate bumblebee habitats.

B spend money on conservation.

C introduce bumblebees to their land.

D use more traditional farming methods.

10 According to the information in the text, collecting wildflower seeds from the wild

A is easier than buying them.

B has great benefits for the environment.

C  can be done all year round.

D should preferably be done locally.

Questions 11-13

11 Simple and cost-effective measures will reverse bumblebee decline.

12 Ordinary people can do much to help the bumblebee.

13 Most people are unaware of the value of bumblebees.

Reading Answers 

1 Answer: Ⅷ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph B, lines 1-3

Answer explanation: “ Bumblebees are also of commercial importance, being vital to the agricultural industry. Many arable and horticultural crops depend on bumblebees for pollination to varying degrees.”

2 Answer: Ⅹ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph C, lines 1-2

Answer explanation: “It is thus essential that we take measures to conserve our remaining bumblebee populations, and if possible restore them to something like their past abundance.”

3 Answer: Ⅰ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph D, lines 1-4

Answer explanation: “To achieve this, farmers should be encouraged to adopt wildlife-friendly farming methods through uptake of the Entry Level Stewardship scheme (ELS). The replanting of hedgerows and the recreation of hay meadow and chalk grassland habitats need to be supported.”

4 Answer: Ⅳ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph E, lines 1-4

Answer explanation: “Many wildflowers have become more scarce in farmland, through loss of hedgerows, hay meadows, chalk grassland, and because of pesticide use. As a result, gardens have become a stronghold for some bumblebee species, for they can provide a wealth of flowers.”

5 Answer: Ⅶ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph F, lines 1-3

Answer explanation: “Seeds of some wildflowers such as foxgloves and cowslips can readily be bought in most garden centers, but the range is usually very limited. A far greater selection is available by mail order from specialist companies.”

6 Answer: Ⅵ

Question type: Match the headings

Answer location: Paragraph G, lines 1-3

Answer explanation: “Collecting seeds requires patience. Wildflower seeds are available commercially all year round, but when collecting them from the wild it is necessary to wait for the right time of year.”

7 Answer: C

Question type: Multiple Choice Questions

Answer location: Paragraph A, lines 6-8

Answer explanation: “These changes will have catastrophic knock-on effects for other wildlife dependent on these plants. As such, it is often argued that bumblebees are a keystone species and that they are a conservation priority.” These lines imply that owing to the decline in the population of Bumblebees and its extinction eventually, lots of environmental degradation and cataclysmic effects would come into the picture.

8 Answer: C

Question type: Multiple Choice Questions

Answer location: Paragraph A, lines 1-6

Answer explanation: “If bumblebees continue to disappear, these plants will produce less seed, potentially resulting in gradual but sweeping changes to the countryside. It may ultimately become dominated by an entirely different suite of plants that do not require bumblebee pollination. Clovers, vetches, and many rare plants may disappear. Indeed, there is evidence that this process is already underway.” These lines clearly indicate that the decline of Bumblebees owing to various missteps and carelessness has started occurring.

9 Answer: A

Question type: Multiple Choice Questions

Answer location: Paragraph D, lines 1-4

Answer explanation: “To achieve this, farmers should be encouraged to adopt wildlife-friendly farming methods through uptake of the Entry Level Stewardship scheme (ELS). The replanting of hedgerows and the recreation of hay meadow and chalk grassland habitats need to be supported.” These lines suggest that farmers should formulate strategies that help in the conservation of bumblebees’ habitat and strengthen their survival.

10 Answer: D

Question type: Multiple Choice Questions

Answer location: Paragraph F, lines 7-11

Answer explanation: “Using locally-collected seeds ensures that the plants grown are adapted to local conditions, and they are more likely to flourish. Introduce a poorly adapted race from miles away and not only are they less likely to survive, but they may also interbreed with wild plants nearby and water down the unique genetic character of the local race. So if possible, wildflower seeds should be gathered from close to home.” This suggests that one should collect the seeds of wildflowers from the local regions and that it is more beneficial than the exotic species in many ways.

11 Answer: Yes

Question type: Yes/No/Not given

Answer location: Paragraph D, lines 1-5

Answer explanation: “To achieve this, farmers should be encouraged to adopt wildlife-friendly farming methods through uptake of the Entry Level Stewardship scheme (ELS). The replanting of hedgerows and the recreation of hay meadow and chalk grassland habitats need to be supported. These activities will not be at the expense of farming, but will actually benefit it, by improving crop yields at the same time as enriching the countryside.” These lines clearly suggest that by implementing cost-effective methods and well-executed conservation strategies, Bumblebees can be considered and protected, which in turn, will help stabilize the dropping population of bumblebees.

12 Answer: Yes

Question type: Yes/No/Not given

Answer location: Paragraph C, lines 1-2

Answer explanation: “It is thus essential that we take measures to conserve our remaining bumblebee populations, and if possible restore them to something like their past abundance.” Hence, it makes it very clear that common people (we) can take various significant actions to protect bumblebees and their decline.

13 Answer: Not given

Question type: Yes/No/Not given

Answer location: N/A

Answer explanation: There is no reference made in the passage where unawareness of the benefits of bumblebees is pointed out in common people.

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