Zoo conservation programmes: reading answers and analysis
The writer is sceptical of London Zoo's claim that zoos save species. The World Zoo Conservation Strategy undercounts the world's zoos, trusts its 1,000 'core zoos' without checking them (Robin Hill Adventure Park was a federation member), and relies on Colin Tudge's optimistic figure of 2,000 species. Only about 16 species have been 'saved' in 30 years.
Questions 16-28 · 13 marks · 3 question blocks
Where the answers sit
YES / NO / NOT GIVEN (16-22) covers the whole passage. The multiple choice (23-25) covers the WZCS, Robin Hill and Tudge. The choose-THREE (26-28) needs the paragraphs criticising the WZCS.
Questions 16-22
The writer says the advert distorts reality (YES) and that conservation only began about 30 years ago (YES). The core zoos weren't carefully examined (NO), Robin Hill's reputation was public (NO), and progress is slow (YES). Eastern Europe's knowledge of the WZCS and Tudge's feelings about animal treatment aren't discussed.
| Question | Answer | Also accepted |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | YES | — |
| 17 | YES | — |
| 18 | NOT GIVEN | — |
| 19 | NO | — |
| 20 | NO | — |
| 21 | NOT GIVEN | — |
| 22 | YES | — |
Questions 23-25
The WZCS identifies zoos that could run conservation programmes. Robin Hill shows the flaw of trusting federation membership. The writer doesn't believe Tudge's 2,000-species estimate.
| Question | Answer | Also accepted |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | B | — |
| 24 | C | — |
| 25 | A | — |
Questions 26-28
The three doubts are the underestimated number of zoos, the unexamined standards of the core zoos, and a target far beyond the 16 species saved. Developing countries' lack of money is mentioned, but as a separate difficulty, not a flaw in the document.
| Question | Answer | Also accepted |
|---|---|---|
| 26-28 | A and D and E(in either order) | — |
The questions most people get wrong
NO. Robin Hill was widely known as the most notorious animal collection in the country, censured in the press and closed after a vet's report.
NOT GIVEN. Tudge persuaded London Zoo to do more conservation, but nothing is said about how he felt animals were treated.
B tempts because developing countries' lack of money is mentioned, but it's a practical obstacle, not one of the document's own failings.
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