Buzz
A
In my opinion, many species of animals living in zoos or wildlife parks can enjoy a quality of life that matches or exceeds their wild counterparts. Animals in well-managed zoos receive a diverse and high-quality diet with necessary supplements, and any health issues they may have are promptly addressed. While their movement may be somewhat restricted, they reside in a secure environment, free from bullying and social exclusion. They are spared the threats of predators, as well as the discomfort and harm caused by parasites or injuries. On average, captive animals tend to live longer than their wild counterparts and are protected from drought, starvation, or predation. Many challenges that wild animals face are absent in reputable zoos, challenging the assumption that a free life is inherently better. Furthermore, zoos serve multiple essential purposes.B
Firstly, zoos play a critical role in conservation. Countless species are on the brink of extinction globally, and many more are increasingly threatened. Some extinctions have been sudden and unforeseen, while others were discovered only after it was almost too late. Species safeguarded in captivity can be bred to maintain a population reservoir against sudden declines or extinction in the wild. Many species exist solely due to captive breeding efforts, with some residing exclusively in zoos. Others owe their existence in the wild to reintroduction efforts involving captive-bred individuals. Without these initiatives, fewer species would survive today. Although success rates for reintroductions are modest, they are improving, and the fact that species have been saved or reintroduced through captive breeding underscores the value of such programs.
C
Furthermore, zoos contribute to education. Many individuals, particularly those residing in urban areas, may never encounter wildlife beyond common city animals like foxes or pigeons. While documentaries on television are increasingly detailed and museums display natural history specimens, there is simply no substitute for observing a live animal in person—listening to it, smelling it, observing its behavior, and having the time to absorb these details. This direct experience fosters deeper understanding and perspective, hopefully cultivating a greater appreciation for wildlife, conservation efforts, and individual contributions.
D
Moreover, zoos play a crucial role in education through informational signs, talks, and presentations that convey valuable information to visitors about the animals they encounter and their ecological significance. Historically, zoos may have lacked in this area, but today they are increasingly sophisticated in their educational approaches and outreach efforts. Many zoos also engage in international conservation education initiatives, training conservationists abroad or sending their own animal care experts to share knowledge and skills with counterparts in zoos and reserves worldwide, thereby enhancing global conservation efforts and reintroduction programs.
E
Zoos also have a crucial role in scientific research. Understanding the behavior and biology of key species in controlled zoo environments provides valuable insights that can directly benefit wild populations. For instance, studying reproductive cycles and breeding rates helps in managing and conserving wild populations. Zoos also contribute to conservation efforts by developing protocols for safely capturing and relocating at-risk animals, including knowledge of anesthesia doses and handling techniques. This knowledge base not only supports conservation but also mitigates human-wildlife conflicts and aids in addressing threats like habitat destruction.
F
In summary, given the multitude of environmental threats facing our planet, I find it difficult to view zoos as anything but essential for the long-term survival of numerous species. They are crucial not only for safeguarding animals but also for advancing our understanding of them, which in turn supports conservation efforts in the wild. Additionally, zoos play a vital role in educating the public about wildlife and fostering environmental awareness. Without zoos, our world would undoubtedly be a poorer place, both ecologically and culturally.
Questions 14-17
Reading Passage 2 has six paragraphs, A-F.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-F, in boxes 14-17 on your answer sheet.
14 a reference to how quickly animal species can die out
15 reasons why it is preferable to study animals in captivity rather than in the wild
16 mention of two ways of learning about animals other than visiting them in zoos
17 reasons why animals in zoos may by healthier than those in the wild
Queries 18-22
Do the subsequent statements align with the details presented in Reading Passage 2?
In boxes 18-22 on you 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
18 An animal is likely to live longer in a zoo than in the wild
19 There are some species in zoos which can no longer be found in the wild.
20 Improvements in the quality of TV wildlife documentaries have resulted in increased numbers of zoo visitors.
21 Zoos have always excelled at transmitting information about animals to the public.
22 Studying animals in zoos is less stressful for the animals than studying them in the wild.
Queries 23 and 24
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 23 and 24 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO of the following are stated about zoo staff in the text?
A Some take part in television documentaries about animals
B Some travel to overseas locations to join teams in zoos.
C Some get experience with species in the wild before taking up zoo jobs.
D Some teach people who are involved with conservation projects.
E Some specialise in caring for species which are under threat.
Queries 25 and 26
Choose TWO letters, A-E
Write the correct letters in boxes 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.
Which TWO of these beliefs about zoos does the writer mention in the text?
A They can help children overcome their fears of wild animals.
B They can increase public awareness of environmental issues.
C They can provide employment for a range of professional people.
D They can generate income to support wildlife conservation projects.
E They can raise animals which can later be released into the wild.
Responses:
14. B (“Colossal numbers of species are becoming extinct across the world, and many more are increasingly threatened and therefore risk extinction. Moreover, some of these collapses have been sudden, dramatic and unexpected” → Tốc độ các loài động vật bị tuyệt chủng)
15. E (“Being able to undertake research on animals in zoos where there is less risk and fewer variables means real changes can be effected on wild populations.” → Nên nghiên cứu về động vật khi ở trong sở thú hơn là ở ngoài tự nhiên.)
16. C (“While it is true that television documentaries are becoming ever more detailed and impressive, and many natural history specimens are on display in museums” → Nêu lên 2 cách khác để nghiên cứu về động vật”
17. A (“Animals in good zoos get a varied and high-quality diet with all the supplements required, and any illnesses they might have will be treated. Their movement might be somewhat restricted, but they have a safe environment in which to live” → Thú sống trong sở thú có thể tốt hơn ở ngoài môi trường tự nhiên.)
18. TRUE (Đoạn A, “it is perfectly possible for many species of animals living in zoos or wildlife parks to have a quality of life as high as, or higher than, in the wild.” →
19. TRUE (Đoạn B, “ A good number of species only exist in captivity, with many of these living in zoos.” → Nhiều loài sống trong sở thú)
20. NOT GIVEN (Không có thông tin về kết quả mà những phim tài liệu trên TV mang lại)
21. FALSE (“there is also the education that can take place in zoos … where zoos used to be lacking” → Ngày trước sở thú vẫn còn thiếu sót và chưa hiệu quả lắm)
22. NOT GIVEN (Không có thông tin liên quan đến việc động vật cảm thấy căng thẳng ở ngoài môi trường tự nhiên)
23. B
24. D
→ Đoạn D, “Many zoos also work directly to educate conservation workers in other countries, or send their animal keepers abroad to contribute their knowledge and skills to those working in zoos and reserves” → Nhắc tới (B) Những người ở nước ngoài hoặc ở những sở thú khác và (D) dạy cho những người bảo vệ động vật
25. B
26. E
→ Section F, “They are crucial not only for safeguarding animals but also for understanding them to support those remaining in the wild, as well as educating and informing the general public about these creatures and their environment so they can contribute or at least acknowledge the need to be more environmentally aware.” → Mentioned in (B) Could enhance environmental awareness and (E) Raising animals for future release into the wildIELTS preparation
