Cod in Trouble - IELTS Reading Passage with Questions and Answers

The depletion of cod stocks in various oceans has become a pressing environmental and economic issue. This passage delves into the reasons behind the decline, the impact on ecosystems and fishing communities, and measures taken to address this crisis. It's an insightful read for anyone preparing for the IELTS Reading Test, offering a blend of complex information and analytical challenges.

Passage

Once abundant, cod populations around the world have been facing a significant decline, primarily due to overfishing, environmental changes, and government policies. In the North Atlantic, for instance, the cod crisis has particularly impacted countries like Canada, where the Grand Banks used to teem with these fish. Historical records indicate that cod were so plentiful that boats had difficulty navigating through them.

However, technological advancements in fishing techniques in the 20th century led to an increase in catch sizes, putting an unprecedented strain on cod stocks. The situation was further aggravated by a lack of effective management and conservation strategies. By the late 1990s, the cod population had plummeted to such a degree that a moratorium on cod fishing was imposed in several regions, leading to economic upheaval in communities reliant on fishing.

The ecological impact of this decline is profound. Cod play a crucial role in the marine food web, and their reduction has led to the proliferation of species they prey upon, causing an imbalance. This shift has had cascading effects on the marine ecosystem, altering habitats and the availability of resources for other marine life.

Efforts to rejuvenate cod stocks have been implemented, including fishing quotas, protected marine areas, and scientific monitoring. However, the road to recovery is fraught with challenges, as it requires balancing ecological needs with the economic livelihoods of fishing communities.

Questions and Answers

Q1. What is the primary cause of the decline in cod populations?

A. Environmental changes

B. Overfishing

C. Government policies

D. All of the above

A1. The correct answer is D. All of the above. The decline in cod populations is attributed to a combination of overfishing, environmental changes, and ineffective government policies.

Q2. Fill in the blank: The cod crisis has significantly impacted __________.

A. Asian countries

B. European countries

C. North American countries

D. African countries

A2. The correct answer is C. North American countries. The passage specifically mentions Canada and the Grand Banks in the North Atlantic.

Q3. True or False: Cod were once so abundant that they hindered navigation.

A. True

B. False

A3. The answer is A. True. Historical records suggest that cod were once so plentiful that they interfered with boat navigation.

Q4. In which century did technological advancements significantly impact cod fishing?

A. 18th century

B. 19th century

C. 20th century

D. 21st century

A4. The correct answer is C. 20th century. The passage indicates that technological advancements in the 20th century led to increased catch sizes and strained cod stocks.

Q5. What was a major consequence of the cod population decline?

A. Increased tourism

B. Improved marine biodiversity

C. Imposition of fishing moratoriums

D. Expansion of fishing industries

A5. The correct answer is C. Imposition of fishing moratoriums. Due to the severe decline in cod populations, moratoriums on cod fishing were imposed in several regions.

Q6. True or False: The reduction of cod has led to a decrease in species they prey upon.

A. True

B. False

A6. The answer is B. False. The reduction of cod has actually led to the proliferation of species they prey upon, causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Q7. Which of the following is not a measure taken to rejuvenate cod stocks?

A. Fishing quotas

B. Industrial pollution increase

C. Protected marine areas

D. Scientific monitoring

A7. The correct answer is B. Industrial pollution increase. Measures like fishing quotas, protected marine areas, and scientific monitoring have been implemented, not increasing pollution.

Q8. Fill in the blank: The ecological impact of cod decline is __________.

A. negligible

B. profound

C. limited

D. unknown

A8. The correct answer is B. profound. The passage describes the ecological impact of the cod decline as profound, affecting the marine food web and ecosystem balance.

Q9. Which area was known for its teeming cod population?

A. Mediterranean Sea

B. Red Sea

C. Grand Banks

D. Baltic Sea

A9. The correct answer is C. Grand Banks. The Grand Banks, particularly in the North Atlantic, were known for their abundant cod population.

Q10. What is a key challenge in the road to cod recovery?

A. Decreasing consumer demand for fish

B. Balancing ecological needs with economic livelihoods

C. Implementing global fishing policies

D. Developing advanced fishing technologies

A10. The correct answer is B. Balancing ecological needs with economic livelihoods. The passage mentions that recovery efforts face challenges in balancing ecological conservation with the economic needs of fishing communities.

Conclusion

The plight of the cod offers a stark reminder of the delicate balance within our ecosystems and the consequences of human intervention. This passage not only enhances understanding of a significant environmental issue but also provides a comprehensive exercise for IELTS reading comprehension, challenging learners to analyze, infer, and deduce information from the text. As the world grapples with similar environmental challenges, lessons learned from the cod crisis could be invaluable in informing future conservation strategies.