SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
Unit 9 test
Reading
Note-taking
Read the article about rewilding, and then complete the notes.
Rewilding the Eurasian beaver in Scotland
A rewilding project that has had some great success is the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver in
Scotland. Eurasian beavers were once widespread around Europe; however, populations drastically
reduced until they eventually became extinct. Like many animals in the wild, they were first hunted for
their meat. The Eurasian beaver was also trapped for its pelt – the soft, dense fur closest to the animal’s
skin. Beaver hats became a fashionable item in Europe because of how warm they were. This species also
produced ‘castoreum’, which is a type of oil found in its glands. The oil was a popular ingredient in
perfumes to give a ‘leathery’ smell. The oil was also used as medicine. As the demand for these products
grew, the beaver population declined, and by the 16th century, the Eurasian beaver was extinct in the UK,
unlike in other parts of Europe.
In 2009, Eurasian beavers from Norway were reintroduced in the Knapdale Forest in Argyll, Scotland. For
any species to be rewilded, there must be sufficient evidence that the same threat that caused their
extinction will not occur again. Believing this to be the case, the government authorised the beaver
rewilding project, and now the Eurasian beaver is a protected species. When they were released in the
wild, they began transforming the landscape. Beavers build dams across streams to create a pond. There,
they build a ‘beaver lodge’ out of branches and mud to live in. The dams created calmer and deeper water,
so there was a significant rise in stickleback fish that thrive in these conditions.
The beaver dams also proved to be a natural and economical method to improve water quality by helping
to clean pollution from streams and rivers. Their dams aren’t like human-made dams. Beaver dams leak,
which might sound like poor construction, but they actually act as a natural filter. The dams also provide
natural flood management for local towns and villages, holding back large amounts of water when there is
heavy rainfall.
Media coverage of the Eurasian beaver rewilding encouraged people to travel to Scotland to see them. As
a result, the local economy saw an increase in ecotourism. One study estimated that a single beaver
release site would bring in £2 million a year, but a further study reported modest evidence of this form of
tourism in West Argyll. However, the Eurasian beaver remains an excellent example of how a rewilded
species is helping to maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
Imagine you are going to give a talk about the rewilding of the Eurasian beaver in Scotland to your
classmates. Use words from the article to help you write some notes.
Make short notes under each heading.
Question 1
Reasons the beaver trade caused the Eurasian beaver to die out:
Hunted for their meat
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Question 2
How Scotland has benefited from the Eurasian beaver since 2009:
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[4]
[Total: 7]
Writing
Formal writing
Recently your class visited a wildlife park that protects endangered animals. The manager wants
students’ opinions about the wildlife park, and you have been asked to write a review.
In your review, say what was enjoyable about the wildlife park, and suggest how it could be
improved.
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
Here are some comments from your classmates:
There should be more The animals are in
signs about the amazing facilities.
animals.
There ought to be
guided tours. The workers really care
about the animals.
Now write a review for the wildlife park manager.
The comments above may give you some ideas, and you should also use some ideas of your own.
Write about 120 to 160 words.
You will receive up to 6 marks for the content of your report and up to 9 marks for the language used.
[Total: 15]
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Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
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Listening
Short extracts
You will hear five short recordings. For each question, choose the correct answer, A, B or C, and put a
tick () in the appropriate box.
You will hear each recording twice.
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
You will hear two friends talking about animals they would like to see in real life.
Question 1
Why would the woman want to see a snow leopard?
A She admires the way they remain hidden from view.
B She thinks they are particularly beautiful.
C She would enjoy the rare opportunity. [1]
Question 2
How would the man feel if he caught sight of an animal he’d like to see?
A interested in their behaviour
B cautious about approaching them
C keen to put skills he has learnt into practice [1]
You will hear part of a podcast about animal conservation.
Question 3
The man believes many people do not realise that conservation helps to
A protect the environment.
B prevent disease in humans.
C maintain a strong ecosystem. [1]
Question 4
What surprised the man when he visited a conservation project?
A how healthy the animals looked
B how much space the animals had
C how interesting the animals’ lives were made [1]
You will hear two veterinary students talking about their studies.
Question 5
What do they both say about their course?
A The practical work is very useful.
B The amount of work is very challenging.
C What they are learning is very interesting. [1]
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
Question 6
How does the man feel about finding work as a vet?
A worried about the competition for jobs
B convinced it is the right career for him
C excited about doing what he loves [1]
You will hear an advertisement for a city farm.
Question 7
What do they need volunteers for?
A to feed some of the animals
B to help maintain the buildings
C to collect food grown there [1]
Question 8
What does the speaker say is one of the best things about the farm?
A the friendliness of the keepers
B the variety of animals
C its location [1]
You will hear two friends talking about having a guide dog.
Question 9
What do they agree about?
A how independent they can be because of the dogs
B how much they have learnt about dogs as a result
C how interesting the training is that the dogs are given [1]
Question 10
What does the girl like about her dog’s character?
A The dog is always very cheerful.
B The dog is friendly towards other people.
C The dog is good at remaining quiet and calm. [1]
[Total: 10]
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
SUCCESS INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH SKILLS FOR CAMBRIDGE IGCSE™: UNIT 9 TEST
Speaking
Discussion
Many people say that zoos are good for the entertainment of people, but bad for the animals that
live there. What is your opinion?
Should people be encouraged to stop eating meat or using animal-based products like leather
shoes?
Do you think every child should have a pet? Why, or why not?
There is an opinion that people could not survive without the help of animals. What do you think?
[Total: 10]
[Unit test total: 42]
Success International English Skills for Cambridge IGCSE™ – Aiden, Carter, Carter & Chilton © Cambridge University Press 2022
