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Hard: Upper intermediate level and above, B2 and above 

Introduction

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1      Save the gorilla! Protect tigers! Help the giant kangaroo rats! You've probably heard the first two slogans but maybe not the last one. We're often keen to support the conservation of animals like gorillas and tigers but less sympathetic to creatures like rats. Are our stereotypes affecting which animals we choose to protect?

2     Researchers have looked at the impact of 'warmth' – that's the perceived intentions, and 'competence' – the skill that different species appear to have. It'ssuggested that people are very keen to protect 'companions', such as dogs or monkeys, who score highly in warmth and competence. 'Predators', such as tigers or bears, score highly in competence but low in warmth. They are said to inspire awe and fear, and this means that while some people are keen to protect them, others hunt them. Animals seen as prey, like cows, rabbits, and pigs, generated more indifference, while people are prepared to actively harm those seen as low-warmth and low-competence 'pests', such as rats, mice, and fish.

3     However, this might not be the full story. National Geographic Magazine asked their readers which animals were the most important to save. Four of the top five fit the companion or predator types – elephants, tigers, whales and polar bears. But the most popular animal to save was the bee. It seems that apart from concerns around warmth and competence, people are aware how species can impact the wider ecosystem and value bees as pollinators.

4    According to some reports, 27,000 species are becoming extinct every year. How do zoos and conservation projects decide which animals to support? One factor is the importance of an animal to the wider ecosystem, but this can lead to some difficult choices. Phys.org reports that in Australia, koalas are much less important to the ecosystem than some lesser-known animals such as woylies. However, they also suggest a solution to this issue. To conserve cute animals, such as koalas, it's important to protect their entire habitat – and this can save a wide range of species. It could be that many animals can be sheltered by koalas' cuteness.

Questions

1.   Choose the best summary for the article.

a. Bees are unimportant to ecosystems and that conservation projects should focus only on cute animals
b. People often prefer to protect animals they see as warm, competent, or important to ecosystems.
c. Pests are the most popular animals for conservation and receive more support than other animals.

2.    Choose the correct option based on the content of the article.

1. 'Warmth' is about perceived skill.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. Which animals are described as companions?
a. bears
b. dogs
c. tigers

3. Why are people keen to protect animals described as 'predators'?
a. They’re cute.
b. They help our environment.
c. They’re scary.

4. Which animal did National Geographic readers most want to save?
a. bees
b. cows
c. monkeys

5. Koala conservation protects a wider range of animals.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3.    Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Many people support wildlife 1) ________ because they want to protect endangered 2) ________. Animals need a safe 3) ________ where they can find food and 4) ________. Without protection, some animals may become 5) ________.

awe
conservation
extinct
habitat
hunt
shelter
species

Vocabulary 

conservation
protection of nature

competence
ability or skill to do something

species
type of animal or plant

predator
animal that hunts other animals

awe
a feeling of great respect, wonder or amazement

hunt
chase and catch animals

prey
animal being hunted by another

harm
damage or injury

pest
insect or animal that harms the natural ecosystem

wider ecosystem
larger natural environment

pollinator
animal that spreads pollen

extinct
no longer existing

woylie
a small Australian marsupial

habitat
natural home of an animal or plant

shelter
safe place for protection 

Answers

1.    Choose the best summary for the article. 

b. People often prefer to protect animals they see as warm, competent, or important to ecosystems.

2.    Choose the correct option based on the content of the article. 

1. b. False. 'warmth' – that's the perceived intentions, and 'competence' – the skill that different species appear to have.

2.b. It’s suggested that people are very keen to protect 'companions', such as dogs or monkeys.

3. c. They are said to inspire awe and fear, and this means that while some people are keen to protect them, others hunt them.

4. a. But the most popular animal to save was the bee.

5. a. True. To conserve cute animals, such as koalas, it's important to protect their entire habitat and this can save a wide range of species.

3.    Use the words from the list to complete the summary of the article.

Many people support wildlife conservation because they want to protect endangered species. Animals need a safe habitat where they can find food and shelter. Without protection, some animals may become extinct.

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