Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3 – A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs Answers with Explanations

I’m Chen Wei, an IELTS Reading expert with ten years of experience teaching Cambridge passages, including Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3 – A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs.

At IELTS Zone, I help learners analyse scientific and environmental texts, track opinions across paragraphs, and compare research findings – key skills for achieving Band 7 and above in IELTS Reading.
This Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3 examines how livestock guard dogs now protect both farm animals and predators. It includes Matching Information, Matching People with Statements, and Summary Completion question types that test your ability to connect examples and evaluate evidence.

Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3

Questions 27–31 | Matching Information

This Matching Information question type requires you to scan for specific examples and research findings. To master the techniques of locating key ideas and recognising paraphrases, explore our guide on 👉 Matching Information in IELTS Reading.

27. an example of how one predator has been protected by the introduction of livestock guard dogs

Keywords: predator, protected, guard dogs
Location: Paragraph D — Lines 1–8 (“In Namibia… more than 90 per cent of farmers reported a dramatic reduction in livestock losses… less likely to kill predators.”)
Explanation: Dogs reduced cheetah attacks on livestock, so farmers stopped killing cheetahs – a clear example of protection through dog use.
Answer: D

28. an optimistic suggestion about the possible positive developments in the use of livestock guard dogs

Keywords: optimistic, positive future, use of dogs
Location: Paragraph G — Lines 4–8 (“Indeed, Australian researchers are now using dogs to enhance biodiversity and create refuges for species threatened by predation.”)
Explanation: The author concludes with hope that guard dogs can promote co-existence and biodiversity – an optimistic view.
Answer: G

29. a description of how the methods used by livestock guard dogs help to keep predators away

Keywords: methods, keep predators away
Location: Paragraph B — Lines 3–7 (“The dogs will place themselves between the livestock and any threat, barking loudly… often their mere presence is sufficient.”)
Explanation: Describes guard dog behaviour – barking, chasing, and protective positioning – that deters predators.
Answer: B

30. claims by different academics that the use of livestock guard dogs is a successful way of protecting farmers’ herds

Keywords: academics, successful, protect herds
Location: Paragraph C — entire paragraph – studies in Portugal and Australia.
Explanation: Ribeiro and van Bommel present quantitative evidence showing huge reductions in predation rates.
Answer: C

31. a reference to how livestock guard dogs gain their skills

Keywords: training, gain skills, raised with animals
Location: *Paragraph B — Lines 1–5 (“These dogs are raised from an early age with the animals they will be watching…”) *
Explanation: Explains that dogs learn by living with livestock from puppyhood, not through human-centred training.
Answer: B

If you want to learn how we scan and skim information quickly in IELTS Reading, explore our step-by-step guides on 👉 Scanning for Details and 👉 Summary Completion to build speed, accuracy, and confidence.

Questions 32–36 | Matching People with Statements

This Matching Features question type tests your ability to connect opinions with their sources. To practise efficiently identifying researchers and their views, visit 👉 Matching Features in IELTS Reading.

32. The use of guard dogs may save the lives of both livestock and wild animals.

Keywords: save lives, livestock and wild animals
Location: *Paragraph D — Lines 6–9 (“There is common ground from the livestock perspective and from the conservation perspective…”) *
Explanation: Julie Young emphasises that fewer livestock losses mean fewer predators killed – helping both.
Answer: D – Julie Young

33. Claims of a change in behaviour from those using livestock guard dogs may not be totally accurate.

Keywords: claims, change in behaviour, accuracy
Location: Paragraph E — Lines 1–4 (“Bethany Smith … warned that such self-reported results must be taken with a pinch of salt.”)
Explanation: Smith questions the accuracy of farmers’ self-reported responses.
Answer: E – Bethany Smith

34. There may be negative results if the use of livestock guard dogs is not sufficiently widespread.

Keywords: negative results, not widespread
Location: *Paragraph E — Lines 6–9 (“If we are not working with everybody, we are transferring the wolf pressure to the neighbour’s herd…”) *
Explanation: Silvia Ribeiro notes that isolated dog use can shift predator pressure to others.
Answer: B – Silvia Ribeiro

35. Livestock guard dogs are the best way of protecting farm animals, as long as the dogs are appropriately handled.

Keywords: best method, handled properly
Location: *Paragraph C — Lines 7–10 (“If they are managed and used properly, livestock guard dogs are the most efficient control method we have…”) *
Explanation: Linda van Bommel states guard dogs are the most effective predator control when managed well.
Answer: C – Linda van Bommel

36. Teaching a livestock guard dog how to do its work needs a different focus from teaching a house guard dog.

Keywords: training, difference, house dog
Location: Paragraph B — Lines 7–10 (“A fluffy white puppy is fun … but too much human affection makes it a great porch dog rather than a great livestock guard dog.”)
Explanation: Dan Macon explains the distinct training focus for livestock dogs versus pet guard dogs.
Answer: A – Dan Macon

If you want to master the skill of tracking researcher opinions and avoiding name confusion, review our 👉 Matching Features guide.

Questions 37–40 | Summary Completion

This Summary Completion question type tests your ability to find precise nouns that fit the summary grammatically and logically. For more practice, see 👉 Summary Completion in IELTS Reading.

Unintended ecological effects of using guard dogs

37. jackals
    Keywords: rise in deaths, other predators
    Location: Paragraph F — Lines 4–7 (“…the number of jackals killed by dogs and people actually increased.”)
    Explanation: Dog protection of cheetahs led to higher jackal deaths – an unintended effect.
38. diseases
    Keywords: dogs spread, wild animals
    Location: Paragraph F — Lines 8–10 (“They have been found to spread diseases to wild animals …”)
    Explanation: Guard dogs can transmit diseases to wildlife, including rare species.
39. food
    Keywords: compete, carnivores, resources
    Location: Paragraph F — Lines 10–12 (“They may also compete with other carnivores for food.”)
    Explanation: Competition for food reduces resources for wild animals.
40. foxes
    Keywords: protect birds, predators
    Location: Paragraph G — Lines 2–5 (“…protect birds which build their nests on the ground … where foxes would normally raid them.”)
    Explanation: Dogs help ground-nesting birds by deterring foxes.

If you want to improve your ability to find grammar-fit answers in summaries, explore our 👉 Summary Completion tutorial.

Practice & Further Resources

Excellent work! You’ve completed Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3 – A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs. Continue practising with our 👉 IELTS Reading Practice Tests. To master the full test set, complete the Cambridge IELTS 20 series — Reading Test 3, Listening Test 3, Writing Test 3, and Speaking Test 3.

Tips for Success

• Track names and research studies to link opinions accurately.
• Use context to differentiate similar predators and species.
• For summary questions, predict word form before scanning.
• Practise more with 👉 True / False / Not Given and 👉 Matching Features.

New Vocabulary

Enhance your IELTS lexis on our 👉 IELTS Vocabulary page.

• Predation – the act of one animal hunting another
• Ecosystem – a biological community interacting with its environment
• Subsistence farming – producing enough food for local use
• Coexistence – living in harmony together
• Biodiversity – variety of species within an environment

Final Thoughts

The Cambridge 20 Reading Test 4 Passage 3 – A New Role for Livestock Guard Dogs passage explores how traditional animal guardians now contribute to conservation. It enhances your ability to locate examples, match researchers, and summarise complex ideas — crucial for achieving Band 7+ in IELTS Reading.

Next, continue your preparation with Cambridge 19 Reading Test 1 – How Tennis Rackets Have Changed, where you’ll explore a passage about innovation and technology in sport.

FAQ

Q1. What is the main theme of this passage?
How livestock guard dogs help farmers and wildlife coexist.

Q2. Which question types appear here?
Matching Information, Matching People with Statements, and Summary Completion.

Q3. How can I improve accuracy in Matching People questions?
Underline names and identify the unique viewpoint each holds.

Q4. What IELTS skills does this passage develop?
Analysing cause-effect relationships and recognising paraphrased data.

References

For authentic IELTS information and exam updates, visit the British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org. To expand your preparation with expert-led online training, explore Course Line – IELTS Preparation Courses. These authoritative resources support your path toward mastering Cambridge IELTS Reading passages.