IELTS Listening Sentence Completion Practice Test

Section 4:

Questions 31-40. Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Effects of urban environment on animals


Introduction


Recent urban developments represent massive environmental changes. It was previously thought that only a few animals were suitable for city life e.g.

• The (31) Because of its general adaptability
• The pigeon – because walls of city buildings are similar to (32)


In fact, many urban animals are adapting with unusual (33)


Recent research
• Emilie Snell-Rood studied urbanized mammal specimens from museums in Minnesota

– She found the size of their (34) had increased.

– She suggests this may be due to the need to locate new sources of (35) and to deal with new dangers

• Catarina Miranda focused on the (36) of urban and rural blackbirds.

– She found urban birds were often braver but were afraid of situations that were (37)

• Jonathan Atwell studies how animals respond to urban environments.

– He found that some animals respond to (38) by producing lower levels of hormones.

• Sarah Partan’s team found urban squirrels use their (39) to help them communicate.

Long- term possibilities
Species of animals may develop which are unique to cities. However, some changes may not be (40)