The Baobabs of Madagascar
Read The Baobabs of Madagascar and check the IELTS Reading answers. The island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is the best place in the world to see baobabs. These spectacular trees, with their massive trunks and distinctive horizontal root-like branches, can live over 800 years. Of the eight kno…
Passage preview
The island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean is the best place in the world to see baobabs. These spectacular trees, with their massive trunks and distinctive horizontal root-like branches, can live over 800 years. Of the eight known species, six are found only there, while a seventh has made its way across the Mozambique Channel from mainland Africa with a certain amount of human help. Some of the most visited and photographed baobabs in Madagascar are at the Avenue des Baobabs in the western province of Menabe, close to the town of Morondava. There, a dozen trees straddle a narrow sandy road, soaring 30 metres into the sky. Known as renala - 'mother of the forest' - in the local Malagasy language, these trees belong to the tallest baobab species in the world: Adansonia grandidieri, named after two great 19th-century French botanists, Michel Adanson and Alfred Grandidier.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- coordinated action noun
A sequence of organized activities involving multiple parties or elements working together effectively toward a common goal
Protecting the baobabs requires swift and coordinated action between the government and local communities.
- deciduous adjective
Relating to a tree or shrub that sheds its leaves annually, typically during the autumn or dry season
Madagascar is home to unique dry deciduous forests that have been cleared for agricultural purposes.
- dispersal noun
The action or process of distributing seeds, pollen, or organisms over a wide area to ensure survival
The extinction of giant lemurs has severely limited the natural seed dispersal of certain baobab species.
- distinctive adjective
Having a quality or characteristic that makes a person or thing separated from others in a recognizable way
The baobab tree is easily identified by its distinctive massive trunk and root-like branches.
- germination noun
The process by which a plant grows from a seed; the beginning of growth after a period of dormancy
The rapid spread of undergrowth can block the bright gaps needed for successful baobab germination.
- intact adjective
Remaining complete, whole, and undamaged; not having been altered or broken in any way throughout its existence
Three species of baobab can still be found within largely intact dry forest habitats in the southwest.
- irrigate verb
To supply water to land or crops to help growth, typically by means of channels or pipes
Water used to irrigate nearby rice fields may be contributing to the fall of ancient baobab trees.
- regeneration noun
The process of renewal or restoration of biological tissue, or the regrowth of a natural ecosystem after damage
Conservation efforts are essential to promote the regeneration of endangered tree species in Madagascar.
- succumb verb
To fail to resist pressure, temptation, or a negative force; to cease to resist or to die from
Although baobabs are resistant to fire, they will eventually succumb to repeated burning over many years.
- suppress verb
To prevent something from growing or developing; to forcibly put an end to a natural process or action
Land clearance for farming significantly suppresses the natural regeneration of the island's unique flora.
- susceptible adjective
Being particularly liable or likely to be influenced or harmed by a specific element or external factor
Lone trees separated from the forest are highly susceptible to being uprooted by powerful tropical cyclones.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The statement claims that **all** of the baobab species found on Madagascar are **unique** to the island. However, the text explicitly states that while six are found only there, a **seventh** species came from **mainland Africa**. Because at least one species originates from elsewhere, the statement directly contradicts the source text, making the answer FALSE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The question asks whether Adanson and Grandidier were the **first foreign botanists** to visit Madagascar. The text mentions that they were **great 19th-century French botanists**, which confirms they were foreign. However, it provides absolutely no information about whether they were the **first** to visit the island. Therefore, we cannot confirm or deny the statement based on the text, meaning the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: civilisation
2: The question asks whether Adanson and Grandidier were the **first foreign botanists** to visit Madagascar. The text mentions that they were **great 19th-century French botanists**, which confirms they were foreign. However, it provides absolutely no information about whether they were the **first** to visit the island. Therefore, we cannot confirm or deny the statement based on the text, meaning the answer is NOT GIVEN.
3: The statement suggests that baobabs are found in **most areas** of Madagascar. In contrast, the passage explains that they **only grow** along the **western margin** of the island and are completely absent from the central highlands. This restricted geographical distribution directly contradicts the idea that they grow in 'most areas'. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.
- 3. FALSE
The statement suggests that baobabs are found in **most areas** of Madagascar. In contrast, the passage explains that they **only grow** along the **western margin** of the island and are completely absent from the central highlands. This restricted geographical distribution directly contradicts the idea that they grow in 'most areas'. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.
- 3-4: naringin
3: The statement suggests that baobabs are found in **most areas** of Madagascar. In contrast, the passage explains that they **only grow** along the **western margin** of the island and are completely absent from the central highlands. This restricted geographical distribution directly contradicts the idea that they grow in 'most areas'. Therefore, the answer is FALSE.
4: The statement claims the **landscape around the Avenue des Baobabs** is the result of **agricultural development**. The text supports this by stating the **surrounding landscape was created by humans** and specifying that the plain was **cleared for rice and sugar-cane fields**, which are clear examples of agricultural development. The statement directly agrees with the text, making the answer TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The statement claims the **landscape around the Avenue des Baobabs** is the result of **agricultural development**. The text supports this by stating the **surrounding landscape was created by humans** and specifying that the plain was **cleared for rice and sugar-cane fields**, which are clear examples of agricultural development. The statement directly agrees with the text, making the answer TRUE.
- 5. TRUE
The question asks if the baobab provides **useful products** for **local people**. The text confirms that the trees are **valuable as a food source and renewable building material**. Both food and building materials are clearly 'useful products' derived from the tree. Because the source information matches the claim in the question perfectly, the correct answer is TRUE.
- 6. FALSE
The statement asserts there is **general agreement** about why baobabs fall down. The passage directly contradicts this by stating the **exact cause** is **uncertain** and that only **some people think** irrigation water is to blame. 'Uncertain' and 'some people' show a lack of consensus, which proves that the claim of 'general agreement' is FALSE.
- 7. water
To complete the note about why trees in the **Morondava area** may be **falling down**, we need a noun related to **nearby fields**. The text states that the **water used to irrigate the nearby fields** is partly to blame for the falling baobabs. Therefore, 'water' accurately completes the sentence both grammatically and factually.
- 8. cyclones
The note requires a word describing what **lone trees** are **at risk from**. The passage clearly mentions that **lone trees** are **susceptible to cyclones**. The phrase 'susceptible to' is a direct synonym for 'at risk from', making 'cyclones' the correct one-word answer to complete the gap.
- 9. farming
The question needs a noun describing an **activity** for which **land clearance** (mainly by **burning**) creates space. The text explains that the main threat is **land clearance for farming**, and adds that **burning** is the usual method. Here, 'farming' fits perfectly as the noun representing the activity causing the clearance.
- 10. logging
The summary points out that a specific **practice** makes **seed germination difficult**. According to the text, the **practice** of **logging** causes shrubby undergrowth to spread, which fills the gaps needed for **baobab germination**. Thus, 'logging' is the specific human disturbance or practice that creates this obstacle.
- 11. animals
The note asks what the **disappearance** of certain entities, which once **dispersed baobab seeds**, refers to. The passage notes the **absence** of extinct creatures, summarizing them in the following sentence as **giant fruit-eating animals** that played a role in the **distribution** (dispersal) of seeds. 'Animals' is the exact one-word noun needed.
- 12. maps
The note details Jim Bond’s efforts, specifically **making** something regarding the **undamaged baobab forest**. The text states he works with local people to **create maps** of baobab distribution in these areas. 'Create' acts as a synonym for 'making', meaning 'maps' is the grammatically correct noun to complete the sentence.
- 13. book
The note mentions **producing** an item that shows the **importance of baobab in local culture**. The passage reveals that Bond plans to **compile** (produce) an illustrated children's **book** to spread the word about how **important** baobabs are in **Malagasy culture**. 'Book' is the target noun that perfectly captures his creative effort.