Competitive Exams

IIT JEE, NEET, ESE, GATE, AE/JE, Olympiad

Only IAS

UPSC, State PSC

School Preparation

Foundation (Class 6-12), Commerce, Arts, CuriousJr (1st - 8th), Science, International Boards

Govt Exam

Judiciary, SSC, Defence, Teaching, JAIIB & CAIIB, BIHAR EXAMS WALLAH, UP Exams, Railway, Nursing Exams, Banking, WB Exams

UG & PG Entrance Exams

MBA, IPMAT, IIT JAM, LAW, CUET UG, UGC NET, GMAT, Design & Architecture, Pharma, CSIR NET, CUET PG, NEET PG

FINANCE

CA, CS, Finance Courses, ACCA

Others

English Wallah, Online Degrees

English Proficiency Test

IELTS, TOEFL

Agriculture

Otters IELTS Reading Answers with Passages and Tips to Answer

Otters IELTS Reading Answers: Discover sample questions and answers for IELTS Reading module and practice them with specific tips and tricks to score better in the test.

Porishmita Paul17 Dec, 2024

Otters IELTS Reading Answers with Passages and Tips to Answer

Otters IELTS Reading Answers: “Otters” is one of the most common topics in the IELTS Reading module. In this section, questions are asked mainly in two formats: IELTS Reading Matching Information and IELTS Reading Short Answer Questions.

Otters IELTS Reading Answers consists of 13 questions. Aspirants can review the Otters IELTS Reading Answers to understand the questions types and format of the IELTS exam. Practicing the sample questions and answers can help you to improve your IELTS Reading band score .

Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Passage

You should spend 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the Otters IELTS Reading Answers Passage below.

Otters

1. Otters have long, thin bodies and short legs – ideal for pushing through dense undergrowth or hunting in tunnels. An adult male may be up to 4 feet long and 30lbs. Females are typically smaller. The Eurasian otter’s nose is about the smallest among the otter species and has a characteristic shape described as a shallow ‘W’. An otters tail (or rudder, or stern) is stout at the base and tapers towards the tip where it flattens. This forms part of the propulsion unit when swimming fast underwater. Otter fur consists of two types of hair: stout guard hairs which form a waterproof outer covering, and under-fur which is dense and fine, equivalent to an otter’s thermal underwear. The fur must be kept in good condition by grooming. Seawater reduces the waterproofing and insulating qualities of otter fur when saltwater in the fur. This is why freshwater pools are important to otters living on the coast. After swimming, they wash the salts off in pools and squirm on the ground to rub dry against vegetation. 2. The scent is used for hunting on land, for communication and for detecting danger. Otterine sense of smell is likely to be similar in sensitivity to dogs. Otters have small eyes and are probably short-sighted on land. But they do have the ability to modify the shape of the lens in the eye to make it more spherical, and hence overcome the refraction of water. In clear water and good light, otters can hunt fish by sight. The otter’s eyes and nostrils are placed high on its head so that it can see and breathe even when the rest of the body is submerged. Underwater, the cotter holds its legs against the body, except for steering, and the hind end of the body is flexed in a series of vertical undulations. River otters have webbing which extends for much of the length of each digit, though not to the very end. Giant otters and sea otters have even more prominent webs, while the Asian short-clawed otter has no webbing – they hunt for shrimps in ditches and paddy fields so they don’t need the swimming speed. Otter’s ears are tiny for streamlining, but they still have very sensitive hearing and are protected by valves which close them against water pressure. 3. A number of constraints and preferences limit suitable habitats of otters. Water is a must and the rivers must be large enough to support a healthy population of fish. Being such shy and wary creatures, they will prefer territories where man’s activities do not impinge greatly. Of course, there must also be no other otter already in residence – this has only become significant again recently as populations start to recover. Coastal otters have a much more abundant food supply and range for males and females may be just a few kilometres of coastline. Because male range overlaps with two or three females – not bad! Otters will eat anything that they can get hold of – there are records of sparrows and snakes and slugs being gobbled. Apart from fish, the most common prey are crayfish, crabs and water birds. Small mammals are occasionally taken, most commonly rabbits but sometimes even moles. 4. Eurasian otters will breed any time where food is readily available. In places where the condition is more severe, Sweden for example where the lakes are frozen for much of winter, cubs are born in spring. This ensures that they are well grown before severe weather returns. In the Shetlands, cubs are born in summer when fish is more abundant. Though otters can breed every year, some do not. Again, this depends on food availability. Other factors such as food range and quality of the female may have an effect. Gestation for Eurasian otter is 63 days, with the exception of Lutra canadensis whose embryos may undergo delayed implantation. Otters normally give birth in more secure dens to avoid disturbances. Nests are lined with bedding to keep the cub’s warm mummy is away feeding. 5. Otters normally give birth in more secure dens to avoid disturbances. Nests are lined with bedding (reeds, waterside plants, grass) to keep the cub’s warm while is away feeding. Litter Size varies between 1 and 5. For some unknown reason, coastal otters tend to produce smaller litters. At five weeks they open their eyes – a tiny cub of 700g. At seven weeks they’re weaned onto solid food. At ten weeks they leave the nest, blinking into daylight for the first time. After three months they finally meet the water and learn to swim. After eight months they are hunting, though the mother still provides a lot of food herself. Finally, after nine months she can chase them all away with a clear conscience, and relax – until the next fella shows up. 6. The plight of the British otter was recognised in the early 60s, but it wasn’t until the late 70s that the chief cause was discovered. Pesticides, such as dieldrin and aldrin, were first used in1955 in agriculture and other industries – these chemicals are very persistent and had already been recognised as the cause of huge declines in the population of peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and other predators. The pesticides entered the river systems and the food chain – micro-organisms, fish and finally otters, with every step increasing the concentration of the chemicals. From 1962 the chemicals were phased out, but while some species recovered quickly, otter numbers did not – and continued to fall into the 80s. This was probably due mainly to habitat destruction and road deaths. Acting on populations fragmented by the sudden decimation in the 50s and 60s, the loss of just a handful of otters in one area can make an entire population unviable and spell the end. 7. Otter numbers are recovering all around Britain – populations are growing again in the few areas where they had remained and have expanded from those areas into the rest of the country. This is almost entirely due to legislation, conservation efforts, slowing down and reversing the destruction of suitable otter habitats and reintroductions from captive breeding programs. Releasing captive-bred otters is seen by many as a last resort. The argument runs that where there is no suitable habitat for them they will not survive after release and where there is suitable habitat, natural populations should be able to expand into the area. However, reintroducing animals into a fragmented and fragile population may add just enough impetus for it to stabilise and expand, rather than die out. This is what the Otter Trust accomplished in Norfolk, where the otter population may have been as low as twenty animals at the beginning of the 1980s. The Otter Trust has now finished its captive breeding program entirely, great news because it means it is no longer needed.

Glacier IELTS Reading Answers	Jargon IELTS Reading Answers
History of Refrigeration IELTS Reading Answers	Classifying Societies IELTS Reading Answers
The Lost City IELTS Reading Answers	The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS Reading Answers
Bring Back the Big Cats IELTS Reading Answers	Food For Thoughts IELTS Reading Answers
The Persuaders IELTS Reading Answers	The Awesome Banana IELTS Reading Answers
Why Are Finland's Schools Successful? IELTS Reading Answers

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Sample Questions

Questions 1-9 Instructions: Match the statements (1–9) with the correct paragraphs (A–G).

Otters rely on freshwater pools to maintain their fur’s waterproof quality.
An otter’s sense of smell is comparable to that of dogs.
Coastal otters tend to have smaller litter sizes.
The recovery of otter populations is supported by laws and conservation programs.
Pesticides caused a significant decline in British otter populations in the 1950s and 1960s.
Male otters’ territory may overlap with those of multiple females.
Eurasian otters can alter their breeding times depending on food availability.
The shape of an otter's eye lens allows them to see underwater.
Otters' tails are part of their propulsion system in water.

Questions 10-13 Instructions: Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

What type of hair forms the waterproof outer covering of otters' fur?
Which type of otters hunt shrimps in paddy fields?
What are otter cub nests lined with to maintain warmth?
Which organization successfully reintroduced otters in Norfolk?

Otters IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

1. Otters rely on freshwater pools to maintain their fur’s waterproof quality. Answer: Paragraph A Answer explanation: Paragraph A mentions “Seawater reduces the waterproofing and insulating qualities of otter fur when saltwater in the fur. This is why freshwater pools are important to otters living on the coast.” 2. An otter’s sense of smell is comparable to that of dogs. Answer: Paragraph B Answer explanation: Paragraph B mentions that “Otterine sense of smell is likely to be similar in sensitivity to dogs.” highlighting this comparison. 3. Coastal otters tend to have smaller litter sizes. Answer: Paragraph E Answer explanation: Paragraph E mentions that “Litter Size varies between 1 and 5. For some unknown reason, coastal otters tend to produce smaller litters.” 4. The recovery of otter populations is supported by laws and conservation programs. Answer: Paragraph G Answer explanation: Paragraph G explains how otter populations in Britain are recovered by legislation, conservation efforts, and captive breeding programs. 5. Pesticides caused a significant decline in British otter populations in the 1950s and 1960s. Answer: Paragraph F Answer explanation: Paragraph F mentions “Pesticides, such as dieldrin and aldrin, were first used in1955 in agriculture and other industries – these chemicals are very persistent and had already been recognized as the cause of huge declines in the population of peregrine falcons, sparrow hawks and other predators.” 6. Male otters’ territory may overlap with those of multiple females. Answer: Paragraph C Answer explanation: Paragraph C mentions that “Because male range overlaps with two or three females – not bad! Otters will eat anything that they can get hold of – there are records of sparrows and snakes and slugs being gobbled.” 7. Eurasian otters can alter their breeding times depending on food availability. Answer: Paragraph D Answer explanation: Paragraph D mentions that based on food abundance Eurasian otters adapt their breeding cycles. Some examples are from Sweden and the Shetlands are provided in the passage. 8. The shape of an otter's eye lens allows them to see underwater. Answer: Paragraph B Answer explanation: Paragraph B mentions that “But they do have the ability to modify the shape of the lens in the eye to make it more spherical, and hence overcome the refraction of water.” 9. Otters' tails are part of their propulsion system in water. Answer: Paragraph A Answer explanation: Paragraph A it is described that the otter's tail was stout at the base and tapered at the tip. Therefore, they can swim fast underwater. 10. What type of hair forms the waterproof outer covering of otters' fur? Answer: Guard hairs Answer Explanation : Paragraph A mentions that “Otter fur consists of two types of hair: stout guard hairs which form a waterproof outer covering”. 11. Which type of otters hunt shrimps in paddy fields? Answer: Asian short-clawed otters Answer Explanation : Paragraph B states that Asian short-clawed otters hunt shrimps in ditches and paddy fields, therefore, lack webbing as swimming speed is unnecessary there. 12. What are otter cub nests lined with to maintain warmth? Answer: Reeds and grass Answer Explanation : Paragraph E mentions that when the mother is away feeding, otter nests are lined with materials like reeds, waterside plants, and grass which keep the cubs warm. 13. Which organization successfully reintroduced otters in Norfolk? Answer: Otter Trust Answer Explanation : Paragraph G explains that the Otter Trust successfully reintroduced otters in Norfolk contributing to the recovery of the otter population.

IELTS Exam Important Links
IELTS Reading Band Score	IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score	IELTS Wri ting Band Score

Tips for Answering the Question Types in Otters IELTS Reading Answers

Some popular tips for answering the question types in Otters IELTS Reading Answers are as follows:

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Tips for Matching Information

Try to highlight the keywords in the questions, such as "sense of smell," "recovery," "territory," and "pesticides."
Skim through passages completely to identify the major keywords in the questions.
Ensure you match the complete sentences in the passage and not just parts of the sentence.

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Tips for Short Answer Questions

Look for the exact details from the passage such as facts, figures, and names.
Stick to the word count specified in the instructions.
Try to simplify and paraphrase the sentences in the passage to frame your answers.

Otters IELTS Reading Answers General Tips

Spend about 20 minutes per passage and don’t spend too much time on one question.
Skim the text carefully to find specific information.
Highlight names, dates, and technical terms to identify specific answers.
Familiarize yourself with different question types.
Eliminate unnecessary information to find the relevant information.

How to Manage Time in IELTS Reading

Guidance of PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers a few popular online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the latest IELTS articles to better prepare for the exam.

IELTS Exam Other Related Links
IELTS Registration	IELTS Eligibility Criteria
IELTS Exam Pattern	IELTS Syllabus
IELTS Exam Dates	IDP IELTS Test Centers

Main Keyword FAQs

Q. How can I identify the correct heading in a Matching Headings question?

Ans. Try to focus on the main idea of each paragraph and match with the questions. Find synonyms and paraphrased words and sentences to match with the heading.

Q. What’s the best way to manage time in IELTS Reading?

Ans. Spend 20 minutes per passage. Do not spend too much time on one question. Try to skim the entire passage to find major keywords.

Q. Can I write answers in capital letters?

Ans. Yes, you can write answers in all capital letters.

Q. How should I approach True/False/Not Given questions?

Ans. Read the statement carefully, find related information in the passage, and determine if it matches (True), contradicts (False), or isn’t mentioned (Not Given).

🔥 Trending Blogs

The First Antigravity Machine Reading Answer with Passage

Vines In The Sky Reading Answers with IELTS Passage

Free IELTS General Practice Tests PDFs for Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking

Animal Camouflage Reading Answers, IELTS Passage

Average IELTS Score 2025, Country Wise and Section Wise IELTS Score

Talk to a counsellorHave doubts? Our support team will be happy to assist you!

7019243492

07019243492

Check out these Related Articles

IELTS

IELTS Practice Tests PDFs 2025 by Cambridge, Free Sample Tests

Read Full Story

31 Jul 2025, 01:55 pm

IELTS

Carbon Capture and Storage Reading Answers

Read Full Story

30 Jul 2025, 06:37 pm

IELTS

Luxembourg Jobs for Indians 2025, Per Month Salary, How to Apply?

Read Full Story

31 Jul 2025, 01:17 pm

IELTS

Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests Cambridge PDFs, Passage Topics

Read Full Story

31 Jul 2025, 01:14 pm

IELTS

The Dead Sea Scrolls Reading Answers

Read Full Story

30 Jul 2025, 11:03 am

IELTS

The Secrets of Persuasion Reading Answers

Read Full Story

29 Jul 2025, 06:29 pm

IELTS

Allergy Testing Reading Answer

Read Full Story

29 Jul 2025, 02:16 pm

IELTS

Money as the Unit of Account Reading Answers

Read Full Story

28 Jul 2025, 05:12 pm

IELTS

Myths About Public Speaking Reading Answers

Read Full Story

28 Jul 2025, 05:03 pm

Join 15 Million students on the app today!

Live & recorded classes available at ease

Dashboard for progress tracking

Millions of practice questions at your fingertips

Free Learning Resources

PW Books

Notes (Class 10-12)

Class 10 Math's Notes

Class 10 Chemistry Notes

Class 10 Physics Notes

lass 10 Biology Notes

Aptitude & Reasoning

Class 10 Geography

Physics Class 11 Notes

Class 11 Chemistry Notes

Maths Notes Class 11

Zoology Class 11

Class 11 Botany Notes

Physics Class 12 notes

Chemistry Class 12

Maths Notes Class 12

Zoology class 12

Class 12th Botany Notes

PW Study Materials

Arjuna JEE Study Material

JEE 5 PYQs

JEE Mind Maps

Yakeen Study Material

NCERT Punch

Arjuna Neet Study Material

NEET PYQs

CBSE Sample Paper

CBSE Question Bank

Udaan For Class 10th Study Material

Notes (Class 6-9)

Class-6 Theory & Notes

Math's Notes for class 7

Science Notes for class 7

Class 8 Math Notes

Class 8 Chemistry Notes

Class 8 Physics Notes

Class 8 Biology Notes

Class 8 SST Notes

Class 9 Math's Notes

Class 9 Physics Notes

Class 9 Chemistry Notes

Class 9 Biology Notes

Ncert Solutions

NCERT Solutions For Class 6

NCERT Solutions For class 7

NCERT Solutions for class 8

NCERT Solutions for class 9

NCERT Solutions for class 10

NCERT Solutions for class 11

NCERT Solutions for Class 12

NCERT Solutions For Class 6

Govt Exams

Entrance Exams

Our Other Websites

Class 6th to 12th Online Courses

Class 12 Online Course

Class 11 Online Course

Class 10 Online Course

Class 9 Online Course

Class 8 Online Course

Govt Job Exams Courses

SSC Online Coaching

Bank Exam Online Coaching

TET Online Coaching

JAIIB & CAIIB Online Coaching

Bihar Exam Online Coaching

UPSC Coaching

UPSC Online Coaching

UPSC Offline & Hybrid Coaching

State PSC Online Coaching

UPPSC Online Coaching

BPSC Online Coaching

Defence Exam Coaching

NDA Online Coaching

CDS Online Coaching

AFCAT Online Coaching

Agniveer Online Coaching

Gate Exam Coaching

Civil Engineering Courses

Mechanical Engineering Courses

Formulas

Other Exams

Company Secretary Exam

Know about Physics Wallah

Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.

We Stand Out because

We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.

Our Key Focus Areas

Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.

What Makes Us Different

Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Free IELTS Reading Practice Tests

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Passage

You should spend 20 minutes on Questions 1-13, which are based on the Otters IELTS Reading Answers Passage below.

Otters

Glacier IELTS Reading Answers	Jargon IELTS Reading Answers
History of Refrigeration IELTS Reading Answers	Classifying Societies IELTS Reading Answers
The Lost City IELTS Reading Answers	The Innovation of Grocery Stores IELTS Reading Answers
Bring Back the Big Cats IELTS Reading Answers	Food For Thoughts IELTS Reading Answers
The Persuaders IELTS Reading Answers	The Awesome Banana IELTS Reading Answers
Why Are Finland's Schools Successful? IELTS Reading Answers

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Sample Questions

Questions 1-9 Instructions: Match the statements (1–9) with the correct paragraphs (A–G).

Otters rely on freshwater pools to maintain their fur’s waterproof quality.
An otter’s sense of smell is comparable to that of dogs.
Coastal otters tend to have smaller litter sizes.
The recovery of otter populations is supported by laws and conservation programs.
Pesticides caused a significant decline in British otter populations in the 1950s and 1960s.
Male otters’ territory may overlap with those of multiple females.
Eurasian otters can alter their breeding times depending on food availability.
The shape of an otter's eye lens allows them to see underwater.
Otters' tails are part of their propulsion system in water.

Questions 10-13 Instructions: Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

What type of hair forms the waterproof outer covering of otters' fur?
Which type of otters hunt shrimps in paddy fields?
What are otter cub nests lined with to maintain warmth?
Which organization successfully reintroduced otters in Norfolk?

Otters IELTS Reading Answers with Explanation

IELTS Exam Important Links
IELTS Reading Band Score	IELTS Listening Band Score
IELTS Speaking Band Score	IELTS Wri ting Band Score

Tips for Answering the Question Types in Otters IELTS Reading Answers

Some popular tips for answering the question types in Otters IELTS Reading Answers are as follows:

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Tips for Matching Information

Try to highlight the keywords in the questions, such as "sense of smell," "recovery," "territory," and "pesticides."
Skim through passages completely to identify the major keywords in the questions.
Ensure you match the complete sentences in the passage and not just parts of the sentence.

Otters IELTS Reading Answers Tips for Short Answer Questions

Look for the exact details from the passage such as facts, figures, and names.
Stick to the word count specified in the instructions.
Try to simplify and paraphrase the sentences in the passage to frame your answers.

Otters IELTS Reading Answers General Tips

Spend about 20 minutes per passage and don’t spend too much time on one question.
Skim the text carefully to find specific information.
Highlight names, dates, and technical terms to identify specific answers.
Familiarize yourself with different question types.
Eliminate unnecessary information to find the relevant information.

How to Manage Time in IELTS Reading

Guidance of PW IELTS

Physics Wallah offers a few popular online IELTS courses for all students. Follow the latest IELTS articles to better prepare for the exam.

IELTS Exam Other Related Links
IELTS Registration	IELTS Eligibility Criteria
IELTS Exam Pattern	IELTS Syllabus
IELTS Exam Dates	IDP IELTS Test Centers