Uncovering Ecological Treasure IELTS Reading Answer & Explanation

In this post, you'll find the complete solution and explanation for  Test 2 Reading passage 3 Uncovering Ecological Treasure from IELTS Academic Vol- 1 ( IDP). Each answer is explained in the easiest possible way, along with the answer location as well as Hard vocabulary from the passage. This is perfect for students who want to understand not just the correct answers, but why they are correct, helping you improve your IELTS Reading skills with every practice test.

Questions 27-31   Multiple Choice Questions
27. The Pernululu National Park, Answer: A
Keywords: well-known= renowned, outside Ausralia= internationally
Answer Location: Paragraph 1, Lines. The Purnululu National Park occupies almost 240,000 hectares of Western Australia and is a stunning example of nature at its finest. The park has become internationally renowned, in part due to large sandstone formations, commonly known as the  Bungle range.  

28. According to the writer, the Bungles were first recorded scientifically. Answer: A
Keywords: first recorded, ariel =  from the air
Answer Location: Paragraph 2, lines. It wasn't until 1982, when aerial photography captured the formations, that the beauty of the Bungles was revealed to the world. As scientists, we were extremely excited about this newfound location and were keen to explore it.

 
29. The writer says that the Bungles, Answer: D
Keywords: estimated that, by river  = part of the river
Answer location: Paragraph 3, lines. What we are not completely certain about is how exactly they were formed, although we estimate that they began forming around 350 million years ago and that they were part of a riverbed, with layers that were created over the millennia. 

30. Visitors to the Purnululu National Park, Answer: B
Keywords: protected and shielded, environmental impact
Answer location: Paragraph 7, Lines. Although welcoming visitors to the area is to be encouraged, 
the land must be protected and shielded from any environmental impact from tourists.

 
31. The threat to the ecology of the Bungles, Answer: C
Keywords: ecology, not dropped =  may not have been declined
Answer Location: Paragraph 8, Lines. A recent conservation report recorded that the threat level to the area remains low, but this does not mean that management can be complacent. There may not have been any decline in the geological value of the site, but there are still threats that pose risks to the scientific and cultural heritage on offer at the Bungles.

Questions 32-36  Yes/No/Not given

32. The indigenous people around the park understand the area well. Answer: Yes

Keywords: indigenous people/communities, understand the area well

Answer Location: Paragraph 2, Lines. Although indigenous communities have roamed the area for over 20,000 years and understand and respect the area, it wasn't until 1982, 

( This line clearly says that indigenous people knew the area well,so the answer is Yes)

33. It is unclear how the Bungles have eroded over the years. Answer: No

Keywords: unclear, eroded

Answer Location: Paragraph 3, Lines. We know that they have been weathered and eroded by water as well as wind to create their impressive shapes, but their exact formation remains a mystery.

(This line clearly stated that  water and wind  eroded the Bungles, so the answer is No )

34. Further research will be undertaken by Australian scientists. Answer: Not given

Keywords: research undertaken, Australian scientists

Answer Location: Paragraph 4, (  In paragraph 4 research word is mentioned; however, there is no information about any Australian scientists who are undertaking any further research, that's why the answer is Not given )

35. It is right that indigenous communities are involved in conservation. Answer: Yes

Keywords: indigenous communities = the local, involved, conservation

Answer Location: Paragraph 6, Lines, and this needs to be carefully managed. Management of the park is shared between the Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation and the local indigenous people.

( This line mentioned that in order to be managed carefully, local people should be involved in the conservation project. So the answer is Yes )

36. The risk of fire is the biggest threat to the national park. Answer: Not given

Keywords: risk of fire, biggest threat

Answer location: Paragraph 8,..... ( In paragraph 8 , it's mentioned  that fire is one of the threats but there is nothing about the biggest threat, so the answer is Not given)

Questions 37-40:   Complete the summary 
37. Answer: oxidisation 
Keywords: stunning = outstanding, oxidisation
Answer. Location: Paragraph 5, Lines. The colours of the structures are outstanding. The striking orange and black pigments have become characteristically part of the Bungle charm. When the iron in the sandstone oxidises, it creates the stunning orange colour that can be seen, in what is called the 'rusting' process This part of the rock is liable to dry out more quickly because it has less clay content, which means that bacteria which protect it from oxidisation cannot grow properly. 

38. Answer: rusting
Keywords: process, known as
Answer Location: Paragraph 5, Lines. When the iron in the sandstone oxidises, it creates the stunning orange colour that can be seen, in what is called the 'rusting' process
This part of the rock is liable to dry out more quickly because it has less clay content,

39. Answer: moisture
Keywords: found in = contain, an indication= meaning,darker layer
Answer Location: Paragraph 5, Lines. In contrast, some of the layers are dark; these areas contain more clay, which retains moisture, meaning the bacteria can protect these layers from erosion and oxidisation. 

40. Answer: erosion
Keywords: prevent, solid, exposed area

Answer Location: Paragraph 5, Lines,  some of the layers are dark; these areas contain more clay, which retains moisture, meaning the bacteria can protect these layers from erosion and oxidisation. 

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               Hard  vocabulary from the passage " Uncovering Ecological Treasure "

Word / Phrase	Meaning	Example Sentence (IELTS-style)
Renowned	Famous, well-known	The Bungle Bungle range is internationally renowned for its sandstone domes.
Indigenous	Native to a region; original inhabitants	Indigenous communities have cared for the land for over 20,000 years.
Heritage	Cultural traditions or natural features passed down	The park was declared a World Heritage Site to protect its unique formations.
Formation	A structure or arrangement created naturally	Scientists are still investigating the exact formation process of the domes.
Remarkable	Extraordinary, worthy of attention	The beehive-shaped domes are remarkable in both size and colour.
Unrivalled	Having no equal or competition	The ecological features of the Bungles are unrivalled worldwide.
Erosion	Wearing away by natural forces (wind, water)	The sandstone domes were shaped over millions of years through erosion.
Oxidisation	Chemical reaction with oxygen (often causing rust)	The orange colour results from the oxidisation of iron in the sandstone.
Pigment	A natural substance that gives colour	The black and orange pigments make the Bungles visually striking.
Spectacle	An impressive or remarkable sight	The changing hues at sunset create a magnificent spectacle.
Travesty	A shocking or absurd misrepresentation	It would be a travesty if control of the land was taken from indigenous people.
Complacent	Overly satisfied, ignoring possible risks	Conservation managers cannot afford to be complacent about environmental threats.
Invasive species	Non-native species that harm ecosystems	Invasive species remain one of the biggest risks to the park’s biodiversity.
Preserve	Maintain and protect in original condition	Helicopter tours help preserve the fragile sandstone domes.
Underestimated	Regarded as less important than it is	The importance of the Purnululu National Park should never be underestimated.

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