A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs – IELTS Reading Answers [Explained]

  A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs IELTS Reading Answers

  

This post provides A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation from Cambridge IELTS 20. The passage appears in the IELTS Academic Reading test, and each answer is explained in the easiest possible way with clear answer locations and important vocabulary from the passage. This guide helps students understand not only the correct answers but also the reasons behind them, improving IELTS Reading skills with every practice test.

A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs – IELTS Reading Answers

• Source: Cambridge IELTS 20

• Test Type: IELTS Academic Reading

• Question Types: Matching Headings, True/False/Not Given, Multiple Choice

• Difficulty Level: Medium

Questions 27–31:      Which Paragraph contains information

27. an example of how one predator has been protected by the introduction of livestock guard dogs. Answer: D

Keywords: one predator, protected by, introduction, less likely to kill ( Chitah)

Answer Location: Paragraph D, Lines. When guard dogs were introduced, more than 90 per cent of farmers reported a dramatic reduction in livestock losses, and said that as a result, they were less likely to kill predators. Julie Young, at Utah State University in the US, believes this result applies widely.

28. an optimistic suggestion about the possible positive developments in the use of livestock guard dogs. Answer: G

Keywords: optimistic suggestion, possible development,

Answer Location: Paragraph G, Lines. Guard dogs can deliver unexpected benefits by protecting vulnerable wildlife from predators. For example, their presence has been found to protect birds which build their nests on the ground in fields, where foxes would normally raid them. Indeed, Australian researchers are now using dogs to enhance biodiversity and create refuges for species threatened by predation. So if we can get this right, there may be a bright future for guard dogs in promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

29. a description of how the methods used by livestock guard dogs help to keep predators away. Answer: B

Keywords:  methods used by, help to, predator away

Answer Location: Paragraph B, Lines, The dogs will place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly. If necessary, they will chase away predators,

30. claims by different academics that the use of livestock guard dogs is a successful way of protecting farmers’ herds. Answer: C

Keywords: claim by, academic, successful way, protecting farmers' herds

Answer location: Paragraph C, Lines. For example, in Portugal, biologist Silvia Ribeiro has found that more than 90 per cent of the farmers participating in a programme to train and use guard dogs to protect their herds against attack from wolves rate the performance of the dogs as very good or excellent. In a study carried out in Australia by Linda van Bommel and Chris Johnson at the University of Tasmania, more than 65 per cent of herders reported that predation stopped completely after they got the dogs, and almost all the rest saw a decrease in attacks.

31.  a reference to how livestock guard dogs gain their skills. Answer: B

Keywords: gain their skills

Answer Location: Paragraph B, Lines. These dogs are raised from an early age with the animals they will be watching and eventually these animals become the dogs' family. The dogs will place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly. If necessary, they will chase away predators, but often their mere presence is sufficient. 'Their initial training is to make them understand that livestock is going to be their life,'

Questions 32-36:              Match the statement with correct person

32 .The use of guard dogs may save the lives of both livestock and wild animals. Answer: D

Keywords: use of , save, both

Answer Location: Paragraph D, Lines....and said that as a result, they were less likely to kill predators. Julie Young, at Utah State University in the US, believes this result applies widely. "There is common ground from the livestock perspective and from the conservation perspective,' she says

33. Claims of a change in behaviour from those using livestock guard dogs may not be totally accurate. Answer: E

Keywords:  change in behaviour, not totally accurate

Answer Location: Paragraph E, Lines, Bethany Smith at Nottingham Trent University in the UK found that up to 88 per cent of farmers said they no longer killed predators after using dogs - but warned that such self-reported results must be taken with a pinch of salt.

34. There may be negative results if the use of livestock guard dogs is not sufficiently widespread. Answer: B

Keywords: negative result, sufficiently widespread,

Answer location: Paragraph E, Lines, says Ribeiro. 'If we are not working with everybody, we are transferring the wolf pressure to the neighbour's herd and he can use poison and kill an entire pack of wolves.'

35. Livestock guard dogs are the best way of protecting farm animals, as long as the dogs are appropriately handled. Answer: C

Keywords: best way, protecting farm animals, appropriately handle,

Answer Location: Paragraph C, Lines,' If they are managed and used properly, livestock guard dogs are the most efficient control method that we have in terms of the amount of livestock that they save from predation,' says van Bommel.

36.  Teaching a livestock guard dog how to do its work needs a different focus from teaching a house guard dog. Answer: A

Keywords: need, different focus

Answer Location: Paragraph B, Lines, says Dan Macon, a shepherd with three guard dogs. 'A fluffy white puppy is fun to be around, but too much human affection makes it a great dog for guarding the front porch, rather than a great livestock guard dog.'

Questions 37–40:       Complete the summary below.

37. Answer:  jackals

Keywords: Namibia, rise deaths of other predators

Answer Location: Paragraph F, Lines. In 2015, researchers reported that in spite of the impact farmers obtaining guard dogs had on cheetahs, the number of jackals killed by dogs and people actually increased. Guard dogs have other ecological impacts too.

38. Answer:  diseases

Keywords: affect other animal = spread  ...wolves

Answer Location: Paragraph F, Lines. They have been found to spread diseases to wild animals, including endangered Ethiopian wolves.

39. Answer: food

Keywords: certain wild animals = other carnivores

Answer Location: Paragraph F, Lines. They may also compete with other carnivores for food.

40. Answer: Foxes

Keywords: Birds, protecting, nest

Answer Location: Paragraph G, Lines. For example, their presence has been found to protect birds which build their nests on the ground in fields, where foxes would normally raid them.

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                    Hard words used in the Passage"A new role for livestock guard dogs" 

Word Meaning Example Sentence exterminated completely destroyed or killed off Wolves were exterminated in many parts of Europe during the 19th century. revival a renewed interest or comeback The tradition of using guard dogs has seen a revival in recent years. livestock farm animals such as cows, sheep, or goats The farmer keeps livestock like sheep and cattle on his land. sufficient enough; adequate The guard dogs’ presence was sufficient to scare away predators. participating taking part in something Many farmers are participating in the new guard dog program. predation the act of one animal hunting and killing another Predation by wolves caused heavy losses to sheep farmers. efficient working well with little waste of resources Guard dogs are considered an efficient method of protection. preserve to protect and maintain in good condition The new role of guard dogs is to help preserve predators. tolerant willing to accept something unpleasant Farmers became more tolerant of wolves after using guard dogs. perspective a point of view or way of looking at something From the conservation perspective, protecting wolves is important. permit official permission to do something Ranchers often need a permit to kill wolves legally. self-reported information declared by people themselves The research relied on self-reported data from farmers. pinch of salt (idiom) to view something with doubt or caution Such claims must be taken with a pinch of salt. displace to move something or someone from its usual place The guard dogs may displace predators to nearby farms. herd a group of animals that live or travel together The guard dog protected the entire herd of goats. unintended, not planned or meant The policy had unintended consequences for local wildlife. ecological related to the relationships between living things and their environment Scientists are studying the ecological effects of guard dogs. consequences results or effects of an action Killing predators can have serious ecological consequences. Carnivores animals that eat other animals Guard dogs sometimes compete with wild carnivores for food. vulnerable easily harmed or attacked Guard dogs may also protect vulnerable bird species. biodiversity The variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem Dogs can be used to enhance biodiversity in some regions. coexistence living together peacefully The goal is harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.

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