Magy's English Edu. Club
Cambridge 12 Academic Reading Test Three Passage One
Flying tortoises
Reading Passage 1 has seven paragraphs, A–G.
Choose the correct heading for each paragraph from the list of headings.
1. Paragraph A
The answer is V. > Tortoises populate the islands
In paragraph one, the inhospitable environment is home to the giant Galàpagos tortoise.
2. Paragraph B
The answer is III. > Developments to the disadvantage of tortoise
In paragraph two, they hunted the tortoises and destroyed their habitat to clear land for agriculture.
3. Paragraph C
The answer is VIII. > The start of the conservation project
In paragraph three, in 1989, work began on a tortoise-breeding center just outside the town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela, dedicated to protecting the island’s tortoise populations.
4. Paragraph D
The answer is I. > The importance of getting the timing right
In paragraph four, but if people wait too long after that point, the tortoises eventually become too large to transport.
5. Paragraph E
The answer is IV. > Planning a bigger idea
In paragraph five, the aim was to use a helicopter to move 300 of the breeding center’s tortoises to various locations close to Sierra Negra.
6. Paragraph F
The answer is VI. > Carrying out a carefully prepared operation
In paragraph six, this weight, together with that of the fuel, pilot, and four crew, approached the helicopter’s maximum payload, and there were times when it was clearly right on the edge of the helicopter’s capabilities. During a period of three days, a group of volunteers from the breeding center worked around the clock to prepare the young tortoises for transport.
7. Paragraph G
The answer is II. > Young meets old
In paragraph seven, the two stood side by side, a powerful symbol of the regeneration of an ancient species.
Complete the notes.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
The decline of the Galàpagos tortoise
8. 17th century: small numbers taken onto ships used by ……
The answer is PIRATES.
In paragraph two, from the 17th century onwards, pirates took a few on board for food.
9 and 10. 1790s: very large numbers taken onto whaling ships, kept for …… and also used to produce ……
The answer is FOOD.
In paragraph two, from the 17th century onwards, pirates took a few on board for food.
The answer is OIL.
In paragraph two, sometimes, their bodies were processed into high-grade oil.
11. Hunted by ……. on the islands
The answer is SETTLERS.
In paragraph two, the historical exploitation was then exacerbated when settlers came to the islands.
12 and 13. Habitat destruction: for the establishment of agriculture and by various …… not native to the islands, which also fed on baby tortoises and tortoises’ …….
The answer is SPECIES.
The answer is EGGS.
In paragraph two, they also introduced alien species – ranging from cattle, pigs, goats, rats, and dogs to plants and ants – that either prey on the eggs and young tortoises or damage or destroy their habitat.