IELTS Listening (Test 1)

27   What do the speakers say about the evidence relating to birth order and academic success?

A   There is conflicting evidence about whether oldest children perform best in intelligence tests.

B   There is little doubt that birth order has less influence on academic achievement than socio-economic status.

C   Some studies have neglected to include important factors such as family size.

28   What does Ruth think is surprising about the difference in oldest children’s academic performance?

A   It is mainly thanks to their roles as teachers for their younger siblings.

B   The advantages they have only lead to a slightly higher level of achievement.

C   The extra parental attention they receive at a young age makes little difference.

Questions 29-30 Choose TWO letters, A-E.

Which TWO experiences of sibling rivalry do the speakers agree has been valuable for them?

A     learning to share

B     learning to stand up for oneself

C     learning to be a good loser

D     learning to be tolerant

E     learning to say sorry

The Eucalyptus Tree in Australia

Importance

●   it provides 31……………. and food for a wide range of species

●   its leaves provide 32…………….. which is used to make a disinfectant

Reasons for present decline in number

A) Diseases (i)   ‘Mundulla Yellows’

●   Cause

– lime used for making 33……………… was absorbed

– trees were unable to take in necessary iron through their roots

(ii)   ‘Bell-miner Associated Die-back’

●   Cause

– 34………….. feed on eucalyptus leaves

– they secrete a substance containing sugar

– bell-miner birds are attracted by this and keep away other species

B) Bushfires William Jackson’s theory:

●   high-frequency bushfires have impact on vegetation, resulting in the growth of 35…………….

●   mid-frequency bushfires result in the growth of eucalyptus forests, because they:

– make more 36……………. available to the trees

– maintain the quality of the 37……………….

●   low-frequency bushfires result in the growth of 38 ‘……………….. rainforest’, which is:

– a 39………………. Ecosystem

– an ideal environment for the 40……………… of the bell-miner