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- IELTS Reading Yes/No/Not given
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IELTS reading passage – Domestic Pets in new urban areas
DOMESTIC PETS IN NEW URBAN AREAS
The contribution of urban design in successful pet ownership The findings of an investigation into the role of urban design in successful pet ownership are summarised in this paper. There are several reasons why planners should consider pets in residential and open space development decisions.
A. People in Australia are generally unaware of the popularity of pet ownership. According to Morgan Research surveys, 37% of Australian households owned one or more dogs in 1992, and 30% owned one or more cats. A dog or a cat was owned by 53 percent of all households. Pet-owning households clearly constitute a sizable proportion of the community.
B. According to studies, pets can teach children about sharing, caring, communication, and responsibility. They also serve as companions and protectors, stress relievers, and in some cases, aid in the development of family cohesion. While pets are traditionally associated with family-type households, they are equally crucial to households without children; in fact, they are frequently used as surrogates for children in childless families. This is especially true for the elderly, who often form very close bonds with their pets. Pets can provide valuable relief from loneliness in an era when the population is ageing and more people are living alone.
C. For some time, veterinarians and those involved in local government have been debating the issue of urban pet management. Part of the reason is that people are more likely than ever before to complain about other people’s pets. Because of the emphasis on urban consolidation, smaller homes and back gardens, as well as multi-dwelling developments, not only discourage people from owning pets but also place increased demands on scarce public open space. Pet owners may face stricter rules from their local council or resident management committee.
D. A set of obligations that pet owners are now expected to follow are referred to as socially responsible pet ownership. Pet owners must consider the following when fulfilling their responsibilities:
- Creating an enriching environment to reduce undesirable behaviour, such as excessive barking.
- Keeping dogs on their property. The benefits of this include protection from disease, being run over, and fighting. Where possible, cats should be confined to the house at night for their own protection.
- Training pets to change undesirable behaviour.
- Exercising dogs, especially if they are left alone for long periods of time.
E. It may be tempting to recommend different pets for various types of housing. Some people already have strong opinions about pets and housing types, particularly when it comes to dogs, such as the belief that the only environment for a dog is in traditional detached housing or that a “big” dog is only suitable in the country. However, suitability is determined by the quality of space as well as the quantity.A home that overlooks an area of activity is ideal for pets because it increases the amount of stimulation that can be received from the property, for example, a home that overlooks a park or is adjacent to a busy street. This is one method for dealing with boredom and the negative behaviours that can arise as a result.A dog should preferably have access to some outdoor space. A cat does not require open space if an enriching environment is maintained indoors, such as a bay window or internal fernery. Dogs should ideally have access to all areas of open space on a property. Overall, if a dog can see the street, his or her behaviour is more likely to improve. Although the dog may bark at passers-by on the street, there is less chance of excessive barking due to boredom. Providing a dog to patrol the street improves public security, which is a huge plus.
F. A dog can be kept on the property with adequate fencing. Cats are less easily restrained and will be discussed further below. Almost all dogs can be restrained by a standard paling fence. They are suggested for side and back boundaries. Solid front fences are not recommended because they limit your view of the outside world. If the dog can see passers-by or activities in the street, he or she will be less aroused by sound stimuli. It is, however, critical to ensure that the dog cannot get through the fence. Furthermore, all gates should be equipped with a self-closing return spring.Cats are more difficult to restrain than dogs because they are more agile and have very different concepts of territoriality. Most of the time, this isn’t a problem, but it can be in environmentally sensitive areas where cats may prey on wildlife. It is recommended that cats be kept indoors at night for their own safety.Everyone should be able to enjoy and benefit from pet ownership. However, having a pet entails responsibilities to which we are increasingly being called. The guidelines are intended to encourage people to consider pets when making residential and community development decisions. If they do, the push or urban consolidation will have no effect on pet ownership.
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Domestic pets in new urban areas reading questions
Questions 1-6
Do the following statements reflect the claims of the writer of Reading Passage? Write:
YES if the statement agrees with the writer
NO, if the statement contradicts the writer
NOT GIVEN if there is no information about this in the passage
1. Many pets get lonely when their owners are away from home.
2. Although having outdoor space available is good for cats and dogs, it is not absolutely essential.
3. While fences are good for keeping animals off the streets, they should not block the animal’s view of street activities.
4. Dogs should be encouraged to bark at everybody going by.
5. It is safer for cats if they are kept in the house at night.
6. Research shows that more than half of Australian families have both a cat and a dog.
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Question 7
Which of the following statements A-D best reflects the views of the writer of Passage
- Although the city is less satisfactory than the country for keeping pets, it is still recommended that families with children and older people have a pet of some kind.
- Keeping pets in cities is appropriate so long as the owners ensure they do not annoy others.
- Having a pet in the city can be a rewarding experience for all concerned provided sensible precautions are taken to ensure the pet has a satisfactory environment.
- Although many people keep dogs in the cities, this is not truly a suitable environment for them
Questions 8-12
Reading Passage has 6 sections A—F. Choose the most suitable heading for each section from the list of headings below. Write the appropriate numbers (i-ix) in boxes 1-5 on your answer sheet. Note: There are more headings than sections so you will not use all of them. You may use any of the headings more than once.
Example E Answer ix
HEADINGS
i. Increasing popularity of pets in Australia
ii. Dogs in cities
iii. Benefits of pet ownership
iv. Pet ownership in Australia
v. Private open space and landscaping
vi. Criticisms of pet ownership in Australian cities
vii. Keeping pets under control
viii. Pet owners’ obligations
ix. Housing and precinct design
x. Pet Research
8. Section A
9. Section B
10. Section C
11. Section D
12 Section F
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Domestic pets in new urban areas reading answers
1. NOT GIVEN
2. YES
3. YES
4. NO
5. YES
6. NO
7. C
8. IV
9. III
10. VI
11. VIII
12. VII
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