# Extinction of Australian species - 科目：雅思听力真题（Part 4） - 考频：中频 - 最近考试：2023.10.28/2019.3.2Asia/2018.10.27/2013.5.25/2011.3.12 - 题目数：10 - 来源页：https://www.yaquan.site/paper/a2fec334-f1e7-4436-9df5-456704aa97c2（在线机考练习与音频请访问该页面） - 数据更新：2026-10-29 ## 题目原文 00:00:02,500 You will hear a talk given by a specialist at a zoo about the implications of the extinction of species. 00:00:12,320 First, you have some time to look at questions thirty-one to forty on page seven. 00:01:09,440 Now listen carefully and answer questions thirty-one to forty. 00:01:17,580 Good afternoon. From my work as curator at the Brisbane Zoo, it is becoming increasingly obvious to me that the animal world is a highly endangered one. 00:01:29,240 It sometimes seems as though a new species is added to the endangered list every day, and a great deal of this is due to human activity. 00:01:39,240 You may have read about the orange-bellied parrot colonies in South Australia. These are under threat from wind farms. So even our attempts to save energy can have a negative impact. 00:01:52,620 A further example is provided by the expansion of our cities. Here in Australia, many species of frog are losing their habitat as a direct result of this urban development. What's more, thanks to the increasing use of pesticides, fewer insects are surviving. 00:02:10,960 Many species depend upon these as a food source, birds in particular, and so their numbers are declining as well. 00:02:19,700 So even in rural areas, we are having a damaging effect on species. In fact, when our farmers choose to grow large amounts of one staple crop each year, corn is a perfect example, this often results in the greater need for chemicals and fertilizers, which has a devastating effect on local wildlife. 00:02:42,000 Clearly, something needs to be done about this. However, very little can be achieved without full public support, and our general attitude is not always a positive one. Of course, it is easy to get people interested in animals such as the panda. Thanks to the attention it is given in the media, people are very aware of its plight and so are willing to give a great deal of support. However, it is not so easy to attract sympathy for those essential smaller species such as insects. They may seem insignificant, but these tiny creatures have an enormous effect on our ecosystem. And it isn't only size that is a problem when it comes to our attitude towards animals. There are certain animals that we would prefer to simply ignore for various reasons. Firstly, we might do this because of fear. That is the normal reaction when people see a shark or a snake, for example. Another reason might be that we believe that certain animals are rivals when it comes to food. Locusts and even mice could come into this category. 00:03:51,860 Then there are animals that we view with disgust because of how they look or feel. The many different parasites, for example. 00:04:00,350 We were there in Paris. Exclusive events and incredible restaurants. 00:04:10,040 Nights at the Sapphire Lounge on the set. Heaven. 00:04:12,920 Experience the world as an insider from exclusive lounges to immersive dining experiences, all with Chase Sapphire Reserve. 00:04:22,680 You may well ask, what does it matter if any of these species dies? Extinction is a fact of life, after all. 00:04:39,820 I would argue that there are several reasons to be concerned about the extinction of any species. 00:04:46,600 Each species helps us to understand more about how our ecosystem works. 00:04:52,860 One species can be linked to many others in the food chain, for example. 00:04:57,740 And inevitably, they all lead back to us in some way. 00:05:03,160 We now know that the more complex the ecosystem is, the more stable it is. When this is the case, large numbers of one animal are quickly controlled by outbreaks of its predators. 00:05:16,840 We've also begun to realize that the presence or absence of certain plants can alert us to changes in our environment. 00:05:25,780 One type of plant might indicate the presence of rich mineral deposits. Another might alert us to toxic water. 00:05:34,520 And so even seemingly insignificant species can be helpful and beneficial to us. 00:05:40,960 This is especially true in the area of medicine. 00:05:44,940 There are many well-documented cases of the health benefits of pet ownership, especially with the ill or the handicapped. But not many people know that spiders are also being used in medicine. 00:05:59,000 The cobwebs they make can be used to assist with certain blood disorders. 00:06:04,660 It actually helps blood to clot. 00:06:08,340 Imagine how much more there is for us still to discover from plants and animals. But we can only do this if we can save these creatures from extinction. 00:06:19,000 Perhaps in the end, it is our self-interest that will save the animals. 00:06:28,160 That is the end of part four. 00:06:31,640 You now have one minute to check your answers to part four. ## 题目与答案 ### 31. Recent problems in Australia: ·a species of parrot is under threat due to the production of wind energy ·several species of 31_____ are at risk because of increased housing Recent problems in Australia: ·a species of parrot is under threat due to the production of wind energy ·several species of 31_____ are at risk because of increased housing **答案**：frog 原文定位：A further example is provided by the expansion of our cities. Here in Australia, many species of frog are losing their habitat as a direct result of this urban development 同义替换：「several」↔「many」；「at risk」↔「losing their habitat」；「increased housing」↔「urban development」 ### 32. ·loss of food source due to pesticides is affecting many animals,especially 32_____ ·loss of food source due to pesticides is affecting many animals,especially 32_____ **答案**：birds 原文定位：What's more, thanks to the increasing use of pesticides, fewer insects are surviving;Many species depend upon these as a food source, birds in particular, and so their numbers are declining as well 同义替换：「especially」↔「in particular」 ### 33. ·Production of single crop like 33_____ is harming wildlife ·Production of single crop like 33_____ is harming wildlife **答案**：corn 原文定位：In fact, when our farmers choose to grow large amounts of one staple crop each year, corn is a perfect example, this often results in the greater need for chemicals and fertilizers, which has a devastating effect on local wildlife 同义替换：「single」↔「one」；「harming」↔「has a devastating effect on」 ### 34. Attitude to endangered animals: ·can be influenced by the 34_____ (e.g. the panda) Attitude to endangered animals: ·can be influenced by the 34_____ (e.g. the panda) **答案**：media 原文定位：Of course, it is easy to get people interested in animals such as the panda. Thanks to the attention it is given in the media, people are very aware of its plight and so are willing to give a great deal of support 同义替换：「influenced by」↔「given attention in」；「endangered」↔「with plight」 ### 35. ·People are less concerned about smaller animals, e.g. 35_____ ·People are less concerned about smaller animals, e.g. 35_____ **答案**：insects 原文定位：However, it is not so easy to attract sympathy for those essential smaller species such as insects 同义替换：「animals」↔「species」；「less concerned」↔「not easy to attract sympathy」 ### 36. ·Some animals are ignored because they are viewed: a)with 36_____ ·Some animals are ignored because they are viewed: a)with 36_____ **答案**：fear 原文定位：There are certain animals that we would prefer to simply ignore for various reasons. Firstly, we might do this because of fear 同义替换：「viewed with」↔「because of」 ### 37. b)as our 37_____ in terms of food c)With disgust b)as our 37_____ in terms of food c)With disgust **答案**：rival 原文定位：Another reason might be that we believe that certain animals are rivals when it comes to food ### 38. Reasons for preventing extinction: ·to improve our knowledge of the ecosystem ·the ecosystem needs to be 38_____ to be stable Reasons for preventing extinction: ·to improve our knowledge of the ecosystem ·the ecosystem needs to be 38_____ to be stable **答案**：complex 原文定位：We now know that the more complex the ecosystem is, the more stable it is ### 39. ·some types of 39_____ can help to signal environmental problems ·some types of 39_____ can help to signal environmental problems **答案**：plants 原文定位：We've also begun to realize that the presence or absence of certain plants can alert us to changes in our environment 同义替换：「some types of」↔「certain」；「signal」↔「alert us to」 ### 40. ·animals can help in medicine, e.g.: a)Improved well-being for people from having a pet b)cobwebs help with medical disorders related to 40_____ ·animals can help in medicine, e.g.: a)Improved well-being for people from having a pet b)cobwebs help with medical disorders related to 40_____ **答案**：blood 原文定位：The cobwebs they make can be used to assist with certain blood disorders 同义替换：「related to」↔「certain」；「help」↔「assist」 --- 以上内容由鸭圈雅思真题库（www.yaquan.site）提供，收录近期雅思考试真题回忆，支持在线机考模式免费练习。