# Tardigrades: The Microscopic Survivors

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

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 19, Test 2, 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.

Tardigrades
more than 1,000 species, 0.05-1.2 millimetres long
also known as water 'bears' (due to how they **(31)** _____) and 'moss piglets'
Physical appearance
a **(32)** _____ round body and four pairs of legs
claws or **(33)** _____ for gripping
absence of respiratory organs
body filled with a liquid that carries both **(34)** _____ and blood
mouth shaped like a **(35)** _____ with teeth called stylets
Habitat
often found at the bottom of a lake or on plants
very resilient and can exist in very low or high **(36)** _____
Cryptobiosis
In dry conditions, they roll into a ball called a 'tun'.
They stay alive with a much lower metabolism than usual.
A type of **(37)** _____ ensures their DNA is not damaged.
Research is underway to find out how many days they can stay alive in **(38)** _____.
Feeding
consume liquids, e.g., those found in moss or **(39)** _____
may eat other tardigrades
Conservation status
They are not considered to be **(40)** _____.

[Practice online with a timer and instant marking](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/tardigrades-the-microscopic-survivors) - [Answers and explanations](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/tardigrades-the-microscopic-survivors/answers)