雅思阅读真题 Why Zoos are Good（动物园的价值）
剑桥雅思 14 Test 4 Passage 2
题材：科普论证类 | 篇目：Why Zoos are Good（动物园的价值）
.官方原版阅读原文
Why Zoos are Good
In the face of widespread concern about environmental damage, zoos have come under increasing criticism in recent years. Animal rights groups argue that keeping animals in cages is cruel and outdated, and that zoos fail to educate visitors about conservation. Yet research shows that good zoos play a vital role in three key areas: conservation, education and research.
The most important function of zoos is conservation. With many species facing extinction in the wild, zoos offer a safe environment for animals to breed. Captive breeding programmes have saved several species from total extinction, including the black rhino and the Arabian oryx. These animals have later been released back into their natural habitats, where their populations are now growing. Zoos also support conservation work in the wild, by funding anti-poaching projects and protecting natural areas. In total, the world's zoos contribute more than $350 million to conservation each year, making them one of the biggest funders of wildlife protection globally.
Zoos also play an important role in education. Critics claim that zoo visitors learn very little about animals, but studies show that the opposite is true. A 2014 study of over 6,000 visitors to 26 zoos found that 59% of people showed an increase in their knowledge of biodiversity and conservation after their visit. Furthermore, many zoos run educational programmes for schools and local communities, teaching children about wildlife and environmental protection. These programmes reach millions of people every year, and help to build a new generation of conservationists.
Another key area is research. Zoos provide unique opportunities for scientists to study animals in controlled conditions. Research conducted in zoos has improved our understanding of animal behaviour, genetics and disease. For example, studies of chimpanzees in zoos have helped scientists understand how diseases spread between animals and humans. This research has important benefits for both wild animals and human health. Zoo research has also led to advances in veterinary medicine, which have been used to treat animals both in zoos and in the wild.
Of course, not all zoos are of high quality. There are some poorly run zoos that keep animals in bad conditions and do nothing for conservation. These zoos should be closed down, and standards should be improved across the industry. However, it is wrong to judge all zoos by the worst examples. Well-managed zoos are an essential tool for protecting the natural world, and their importance will only increase as more species face extinction.
Why Zoos are Good 动物园的价值 全套原版英文试题
Questions 14–18 Matching Paragraph Information
Match each statement with the correct paragraph A–E.
Write the correct letter A–E in boxes 14–18 on your answer sheet.
14. reference to how zoo research has helped human health
15. the view that not all zoos should be criticised
16. figures showing how much zoos spend on protecting wildlife
17. a description of how some species have recovered thanks to zoos
18. evidence that zoo visits can increase people's environmental awareness
Questions 19–23 Summary Word Bank Completion
Complete the summary using the list of words A–H below.
Write the correct letter A–H in boxes 19–23 on your answer sheet.
A. funding B. criticism C. research D. education
E. cruelty F. breeding G. protection H. management
Zoos have received a lot of 19.______ in recent years. However, well-run zoos make valuable contributions in three main areas. The most significant is conservation, which includes 20.______ programmes for endangered species. Zoos also provide 21.______ for schools and communities. Finally, they support scientific 22.______ that benefits both animals and humans. The main problem with the zoo industry is poor 23.______ in some establishments.
Questions 24–26 Multiple Choice THREE Answers
Choose THREE letters, A–E.
Write the correct letters in boxes 24, 25 and 26 on your answer sheet.
24–26 Which THREE of the following are mentioned as benefits of zoos?
A. They help to save animals from extinction.
B. They provide jobs for local communities.
C. They teach visitors about wildlife conservation.
D. They can treat sick animals in the wild.
E. They help develop new medicines for animals.
