# A new role for livestock guard dogs: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 4, Reading Passage 3

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 4, Reading Passage 3. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 27 | D | said that as a result they were less likely to kill predators |
| 28 | G | there may be a bright future for guard dogs in promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife |
| 29 | B | The dogs will place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly. |
| 30 | C | The evidence indicates that guard dogs are highly effective. ... livestock guard dogs are the most efficient control method |
| 31 | B | These dogs are raised from an early age with the animals they will be watching |
| 32 | D | If ranchers don't have a dead cow, they will not make a call to apply for a permit to kill a wolf. |
| 33 | E | such self-reported results must be taken with a pinch of salt |
| 34 | B | If we are not working with everybody, we are transferring the wolf pressure to the neighbour's herd |
| 35 | C | If they are managed and used properly, livestock guard dogs are the most efficient control method |
| 36 | A | too much human affection makes it a great dog for guarding the front porch |
| 37 | jackals | the number of jackals killed by dogs and people actually increased. |
| 38 | diseases | They have been found to spread diseases to wild animals |
| 39 | food | They may also compete with other carnivores for food. |
| 40 | foxes | where foxes would normally raid them. |

## Why these answers are right

**27. D.** Paragraph D focuses on Namibia, where cheetahs are often blamed for livestock losses and killed. After guard dogs arrived, farmers lost fewer animals and said they were less likely to kill predators, so this is the example of one predator, the cheetah, being protected.

**28. G.** Paragraph G ends by saying that if we get this right, there may be a bright future for guard dogs in helping humans and wildlife coexist. A bright future is an optimistic suggestion about positive developments, so the answer is G.

**29. B.** Paragraph B explains that the dogs place themselves between the livestock and any threat, bark loudly, chase predators if needed, and often deter them by presence alone. Those are the methods that keep predators away, so the answer is B.

The why and the trap for questions 30 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/a-new-role-for-livestock-guard-dogs/answers).

[Practice A new role for livestock guard dogs](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/a-new-role-for-livestock-guard-dogs)