Australia's cane toad problem
Read Australia's cane toad problem and check the IELTS Reading answers. In the north of Australia there are many sugar cane plantations, which early in the 20th century were being damaged by a particular pest. This was a species of beetle whose larvae, the infant form of the beetle, live undergroun…
Passage preview
In the north of Australia there are many sugar cane plantations, which early in the 20th century were being damaged by a particular pest. This was a species of beetle whose larvae, the infant form of the beetle, live underground in the soil in the sugar cane fields. The sugar cane plants were weakened or died because their roots were eaten by the larvae. This had serious economic consequences for sugar cane farmers. Modern pesticides were not developed until the 1940s, so farmers had to use what was available at the time. Chemicals like arsenic and copper were used, but these were not only expensive but also stayed in the environment and were poisonous to people, plants and animals. It was generally acknowledged by government, farmers and scientists that cheaper and safer methods of pest control had to be found.
Vocabulary from this passage
7 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- catalyst noun
A person or thing that precipitates an event or change
The overwhelming support for the project acted as a catalyst for its launch.
- consensus noun
A general agreement among a group of people
The scientific consensus is that immediate action is needed to protect the reef.
- entomologist noun
A scientist who studies insects and their relationships to the environment
The entomologist identified the specific species of beetle destroying the crops.
- infestation noun
The presence of an unusually large number of insects or animals
The building was closed due to a severe infestation of termites.
- parasitic adjective
Living as a parasite on another organism
Certain parasitic flies lay their eggs inside the larvae of destructive beetles.
- predatory adjective
Naturally preying on other animals for food
Farmers used predatory wasps to naturally control the population of garden pests.
- rebuked verb
Expressed sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their actions
The professor rebuked the student for failing to cite their sources correctly.
Answers with explanations
- 1. beetle
The text identifies the pest as the **beetle**. Specifically, it mentions that the 'infant form' or 'larvae' of this insect lived in the soil and caused damage to the sugar cane crops, causing economic hardship for the farmers.
- 2. roots
The passage states that the larvae 'ate' a specific part of the sugar cane, which led to the plants weakening or dying. The part mentioned is the **roots**, which are found underground in the soil where the larvae live.
- 2-3: E
2: The passage states that the larvae 'ate' a specific part of the sugar cane, which led to the plants weakening or dying. The part mentioned is the **roots**, which are found underground in the soil where the larvae live.
3: The text lists several drawbacks of early chemical pesticides. They were 'poisonous' and 'stayed in the environment,' but they were also described as **expensive**. This adjective completes the list of reasons why these chemicals were considered unsatisfactory.
- 3. expensive
The text lists several drawbacks of early chemical pesticides. They were 'poisonous' and 'stayed in the environment,' but they were also described as **expensive**. This adjective completes the list of reasons why these chemicals were considered unsatisfactory.
- 3-4: C
3: The text lists several drawbacks of early chemical pesticides. They were 'poisonous' and 'stayed in the environment,' but they were also described as **expensive**. This adjective completes the list of reasons why these chemicals were considered unsatisfactory.
4: The passage provides a historical example from France where toads were used for pest control. The specific group of people who purchased and used them were **gardeners**, who utilized the toads to eliminate insects in their personal plots.
- 4. gardeners
The passage provides a historical example from France where toads were used for pest control. The specific group of people who purchased and used them were **gardeners**, who utilized the toads to eliminate insects in their personal plots.
- 5. moth
The text describes a successful instance of biological control in Australia involving a specific organism that stopped the spread of a cactus. That organism was a **moth** imported from Argentina, which served as a precedent for later attempts.
- 6. Hawaii
The text identifies the immediate source of the cane toads brought to Australia as **Hawaii**. Although the toads originally come from South America, the specific shipment of 101 toads in 1935 was transported directly from Hawaii.
- 7. failure
The passage evaluates the success of the cane toad introduction. It explicitly uses the word **failure** to describe the outcome, as the toads did not eat the target beetles and instead became a major environmental problem themselves.
- 8. FALSE
The answer is FALSE. The statement claims the outcome was 'immediately obvious,' but the text says it became clear 'over the **following years**.' This indicates a gradual realization of the failure rather than an instantaneous one.
- 9. NOT GIVEN
The answer is NOT GIVEN. While **rabbits** are mentioned as a 'pest in Australia,' the text does not provide any information regarding **why** they were introduced or if they were brought in to control weeds.
- 10. TRUE
The answer is TRUE. The text confirms that Walter Froggatt was **rebuked** (criticized) by his **peers** and other eminent scientists for his negative forecast regarding the introduction of the cane toad, which he had made public.
- 11. NOT GIVEN
The answer is NOT GIVEN. The text provides the **current average size** of the toads, but it does not contain any **comparison** to their size at the time of introduction, so we cannot determine if it has increased.
- 12. FALSE
The answer is FALSE. The statement suggests animals can eat them 'safely,' but the passage lists several native species that have **died** after consuming the toads due to their **toxicity**, proving it is not safe for them.
- 13. TRUE
The answer is TRUE. The text states that the toads are 'taking over' the **land** (habitats) where native **fauna** live as their population grows, confirming they are gaining control of these natural areas.