# Can the planet's coral reefs be saved?: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 3, Reading Passage 2

Source: Passage, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 3, Reading Passage 2. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 14 | v | we want to show people how wonderful they are ... we also want to highlight the research and conservation efforts |
| 15 | ii | This comfortable symbiotic relationship |
| 16 | iv | though the comparison is dismissed by some naturalists |
| 17 | vii | scientists advise that more than 90% of reefs could be lost by 2050 |
| 18 | iii | scientists are trying to pinpoint hardy types of coral that could survive our overheated oceans |
| 19 | vi | encourage them to believe that we can do something to save the planet's reefs |
| 20 | C, E | pollution by humans |
| 21 | C, E | ocean current changes |
| 22 | B, D | to find those that can survive best in warm, acidic waters |
| 23 | B, D | Another will be to try to increase coral breeding rates. |
| 24 | tentacles | with tentacles for capturing small marine creatures in the sea water. |
| 25 | protection | which in turn get protection |
| 26 | color | Rising ocean temperatures are triggering bleaching events that strip reefs of their colour and eventually kill them. |

## Why these answers are right

**14. v.** In section A, Pearce-Kelly says the zoo wants to show people how wonderful coral reefs are and also to highlight the research and conservation work to save them. Two aims for what visitors should learn are two educational goals, so the heading is v.

**15. ii.** Section B explains how polyps shelter algae while the algae's photosynthesis feeds the polyps, calling this a comfortable symbiotic relationship. Two organisms helping each other under the sea is cooperation beneath the waves, which makes ii the right heading.

**16. iv.** Section C reports that coral reefs are called the rainforests of the sea, but that naturalists such as Attenborough dismiss the comparison as simply not true. Rejecting how well a description fits is disagreement about the accuracy of a phrase, so the heading is iv.

The why and the trap for questions 17 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/can-the-planets-coral-reefs-be-saved/answers).

[Practice Can the planet's coral reefs be saved?](https://testmigo.com/ielts/reading/can-the-planets-coral-reefs-be-saved)