IELTS Matching information Intelligent Marine Mammals

 Passage: Dolphins – Intelligent Marine Mammals

Paragraph A

Dolphins are highly intelligent marine mammals belonging to the family Delphinidae. They are found in oceans worldwide, primarily in shallow seas of the continental shelves. Dolphins have streamlined bodies and two limbs modified into flippers, which make them efficient swimmers.

Paragraph B

One of the most remarkable aspects of dolphins is their communication skills. They use a variety of sounds, including clicks, whistles, and body movements, to convey messages to one another. Some researchers suggest that dolphins may even have distinct “names” to identify individual members of their pods.

Paragraph C

Dolphins are also known for their social behavior. They live in groups called pods, which can consist of just a few individuals or over a thousand. These pods cooperate in hunting, share food, and protect each other from predators such as sharks.

Paragraph D

The diet of dolphins varies depending on the species and habitat. Most feed on fish and squid, using techniques like herding or stunning their prey with tail slaps. Some dolphins have been observed using tools, such as sponges, to protect their snouts while foraging on the seafloor.

Paragraph E

Dolphins have an exceptional ability to learn and perform tasks. They are commonly trained in marine parks to carry out complex behaviors. However, these abilities also indicate their cognitive sophistication in the wild, where they must navigate, hunt, and communicate effectively.

Paragraph F

Despite their intelligence, dolphins face numerous threats from human activity. Pollution, overfishing, entanglement in fishing nets, and habitat destruction all pose significant risks to dolphin populations worldwide. Conservation efforts, including marine protected areas and anti-pollution laws, aim to safeguard these remarkable animals.

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Questions: Matching Information

Match each statement (1–8) with the paragraph (A–F) in which the information is found.

1.      Dolphins use tools like sponges while hunting.

2.      Dolphin pods help protect members from predators.

3.      Pollution and fishing nets threaten dolphin survival.

4.      Dolphins are fast and well-adapted for swimming.

5.      Dolphins are able to learn tasks both in captivity and in the wild.

6.      Dolphins may use unique sounds to identify individuals.

7.      Dolphins’ diet mainly includes fish and squid.

8.      Dolphins are found mainly in shallow seas worldwide.

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Answers:

1.      D – Tool use with sponges is mentioned in the diet paragraph.

2.      C – Protection from predators is described in the social behavior paragraph.

3.      F – Human threats like pollution and fishing are in the threats/conservation paragraph.

4.      A – Swimming adaptations are in the first paragraph.

5.      E – Learning and cognitive abilities are in the paragraph on intelligence and training.

6.      B – Communication, including “names,” is in the communication paragraph.

7.      D – Diet is mentioned in the paragraph about feeding behavior.

8.      A – Distribution in shallow seas is in the introduction paragraph.

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✅ Tips for IELTS Matching Information Practice:

• Skim the passage first to get a general idea of paragraph topics.
• Look for keywords or synonyms in the statements.
• Statements may paraphrase what is in the passage.
• Each paragraph usually contains one or two key pieces of information.