IELTS Listening Questions - Free Listening Samples

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This listening practice simulates the fourth section of the IELTS Listening test. Listen to the audio and answer questions 31-40.

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Questions 31-35

Complete the notes below.

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

The Evolution of Desert Animals

High temperatures cause more problems for animals than (31).

Animals can only stay alive if the temperature remains within quite a (32) range.

High temperatures combined with a lack of water makes (33) difficult.

Desert animals have adapted in amazing ways to (34) the problems of living in the desert.

Animals have learned how to conserve and recycle water – and some can even (35) it.

The answer is plants. The script states that 'But animals have an additional problem - they are more susceptible to extremes of temperature than are plants.' This means that while lack of water is a problem for both, high temperatures pose more of a problem for animals when compared to plants. Thus, the correct word to fill the gap is 'plants'.

Associated Text:
But animals have an additional problem - they are more susceptible to extremes of temperature than are plants.

The answer is narrow. The script says, 'The biological processes of animal tissue can function only within a relatively narrow temperature range.' This explains that animals can only survive if the temperature stays within a fairly small, or narrow, range. Therefore, 'narrow' is the correct word for this blank.

Associated Text:
The biological processes of animal tissue can function only within a relatively narrow temperature range.

The answer is survival. The script reads, 'Combined with the scarcity of life-sustaining water, survival for desert animals can become extremely difficult.' This shows that high temperatures and lack of water together can make survival difficult, so 'survival' is the right answer.

Associated Text:
Combined with the scarcity of life-sustaining water, survival for desert animals can become extremely difficult.

The answer is solve. The lecturer mentions, 'most desert animals have evolved both behavioural and physiological mechanisms to solve the heat and water problems the desert environment creates.' This demonstrates that animals have adapted to 'solve' these problems, making 'solve' the appropriate word.

Associated Text:
most desert animals have evolved both behavioural and physiological mechanisms to solve the heat and water problems the desert environment creates.

The answer is manufacture. The script states, 'Equally ingenious are the diverse mechanisms various animal species have developed to acquire, conserve, recycle, and actually manufacture water.' This shows that some desert animals can 'manufacture' water, making it the correct word for the blank.

Associated Text:
Equally ingenious are the diverse mechanisms various animal species have developed to acquire, conserve, recycle, and actually manufacture water.

Questions 36-40

Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.

Animal	Adaptation
Birds	- Breed in (36) or late winter.
Birds	- (37) at the beginning and end of the day
Squirrels	- (38) in both the summer and winter
Lizards	- Have long (39) to absorb less heat
Rabbits	- Release heat from their (40)

The answer is spring. According to the script, 'Certain species of birds, such as the Phainopepla... breed during the relatively cool spring, then leave the desert for cooler areas at higher elevations or along the Pacific coast.' This indicates that the breeding occurs in the spring, and is the correct answer here.

Associated Text:
Certain species of birds, such as the Phainopepla, a slim, glossy, black bird with a slender crest, breed during the relatively cool spring, then leave the desert for cooler areas at higher elevations or along the Pacific coast.

The answer is active. The script says, 'Many birds are active primarily at dawn and within a few hours of sunset, retiring to a cool, shady spot for the remainder of the day.' This means that birds are 'active' at the beginning and end of the day, making 'active' the right answer.

Associated Text:
Many birds are active primarily at dawn and within a few hours of sunset, retiring to a cool, shady spot for the remainder of the day.

The answer is sleep. The script points out, 'They sleep away the hottest part of the summer. They also hibernate in winter to avoid the cold season.' This means that these squirrels 'sleep' in both the summer (to avoid the heat) and the winter (to avoid the cold), so 'sleep' fits perfectly in the blank.

Associated Text:
They sleep away the hottest part of the summer. They also hibernate in winter to avoid the cold season.

The answer is legs. The lecturer notes, 'Even their legs may be longer, so they absorb less surface heat while running.' This demonstrates that lizards have long 'legs' to absorb less heat, making 'legs' the most accurate answer.

Associated Text:
Even their legs may be longer, so they absorb less surface heat while running.

The answer is ears. The script states, 'The enormous ears of jackrabbits, with their many blood vessels, release heat when the animal is resting in a cool, shady location.' This informs us that rabbits release heat from their 'ears', so 'ears' is the correct answer.

Associated Text:
The enormous ears of jackrabbits, with their many blood vessels, release heat when the animal is resting in a cool, shady location.

Note: After the instruction audio, you will have 20 seconds to look at questions before listening to the talk.

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Answer Sheet

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