The Extinction of the Dodo Bird – IELTS Listening Answers

The ‘Extinction of the Dodo Bird’ is a part of IELTS Cambridge 16 Listening Test 4 and this listening answer contains one of the IELTS listening question types. Practising such samples will help you master the Listening module since questions are repeated in the IELTS exam!

As you take the IELTS listening test, The Extinction of the Dodo Bird, you will become aware of concepts such as signposting and distractors. Additionally, take one of our IELTS listening practice tests and learn to follow the audio using these techniques.

Listen to the Audio for The Extinction of the Dodo Bird – IELTS Listening Answers to Solve the Questions below.

There are 10 questions in the Listening Answers of The Extinction of the Dodo Bird, which includes one of the question types that is common in such tests. It is:

• IELTS Note Completion (Q. 1-10)

Questions 1-10

The Extinction of the Dodo Bird

The dodo was a large flightless bird which used to inhabit the island of Mauritius.

History

• 1507 – Portuguese ships transporting 1 ………………. stopped at the island to collect food and water.
• 1638 – The Dutch established a 2 ………………. on the island.
• They killed the dodo birds for their meat.
• The last one was killed in 1681.

Description

• The only record we have is written descriptions and pictures (possibly unreliable).
• A Dutch painting suggests the dodo was very 3 ………………. .
• The only remaining soft tissue is a dried 4 ………………. .
• Recent studies of a dodo skeleton suggest the birds were capable of rapid 5 ………………. .
• It’s thought they were able to use their small wings to maintain 6 ………………. .
• Their 7 ………………. was of average size.
• Their sense of 8 ………………. enabled them to find food.

Reasons for extinction

• Hunting was probably not the main cause.
• Sailors brought dogs and monkeys.
• 9 ………………. also escaped onto the island and ate the birds’ eggs.
• The arrival of farming meant the 10 ………………. was destroyed.

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Transcript of the The Extinction of the Dodo Bird IELTS Listening Answers Audio

To explore further, you can download The Extinction of the Dodo Bird PDF Transcript, where we’ve included answer locations.

The Extinction of the Dodo Bird Listening Answer Key

Answers of The Extinction of the Dodo Bird Listening Answers with Explanation

1 Answer: spice(s)

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: It is stated that in 1507, the first Portuguese ships stopped at the island to collect food and water and the sailors were carrying spices back to Europe. Hence, the answer is ‘spice(s)’.

2 Answer: colony / settlement

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: After the Portuguese left in 1683, the Dutch arrived and set up a colony on the island. Hence, the answer is ‘colony / settlement’.

3 Answer: fat

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: According to a Dutch painting, which is one of the best-known pictures of the dodo, the bird appears to be extremely fat. Hence, the answer is ‘fat’.

4 Answer: head

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: Out of the four dried parts of a bird that were known to exist in the early 17th century, three have disappeared. The only part left is a soft tissue, a dodo head. Hence, the answer is ‘head’.

5 Answer: movement

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: With the recent study of the Dodo skeleton, some earlier information has been proved to be incorrect. Scientists now believe the dodo’s strong knee joints would have made it capable of movement which was not slow, but actually quite fast. Hence, the answer is ‘movement’.

6 Answer: balance / balancing

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: Scientists have come up with the fact that the dodo’s small wings were used to maintain balance while going over uneven ground. Hence, the answer is ‘balance / balancing’.

7 Answer: brain

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: Recent research suggests the dodo’s brain was not small but average in size. Hence, the answer is ‘brain’.

8 Answer: smell

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: The researchers have also found that the structure of the bird’s skull suggested that their sense of smell was well-developed and helped them find food. Hence, the answer is ‘smell’.

9 Answer: rats

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: It is said that the ships of the Europeans contained rats that escaped onto the island and ate the dodo’s eggs. Hence, the answer is ‘rats’.

10 Answer: forest

Question Type: Note Completion

Answer Explanation: At the end of the audio, the speaker tells us that with the introduction of agriculture, the forest, that provided a perfect home for the dodo, was destroyed. Hence, the answer is ‘forest’.

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