# Effects of environmental change on birds

IELTS Academic Listening - 10 questions - 10 minutes - Note completion

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 12, Test 3, Listening Part 4. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## The recording

8 minutes of audio. Practice it with the player on the page; the transcript is on the answers page.

## Questions

### Questions 31-40: Note completion

Complete the notes below. Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

The effects of environmental change on birds
Mercury (Hg)
Highly toxic
Released into the atmosphere from coal
In water it may be consumed by fish
It has also recently been found to affect birds which feed on **(31)** _____
Research on effects of mercury on birds
Claire Varian-Ramos is investigating:
the effects on birds' **(32)** _____ or mental processes, e.g. memory
the effects on bird song (usually learned from a bird's **(33)** _____)
Findings:
songs learned by birds exposed to mercury are less **(34)** _____
this may have a negative effect on birds' **(35)** _____
Lab-based studies:
allow more **(36)** _____ for the experimenter
Implications for humans
Migrating birds such as **(37)** _____ containing mercury may be eaten by humans
Mercury also causes problems in learning **(38)** _____
Mercury in a mother's body from **(39)** _____ may affect the unborn child
New regulations for mercury emissions will affect everyone's energy **(40)** _____

[Practice online with a timer and instant marking](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/effects-of-environmental-change-on-birds) - [Answers and explanations](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/effects-of-environmental-change-on-birds/answers)