How to Master the ielts

157
In 1839 Darwin married his cousin Emma Wedgwood, and they had 10
[Q196]
children. He published the zoological findings of the HMS 
Beagle
expedition 
between 1838 and 1843, in several parts covering birds, fossils, insects, 
reptiles and mammals. Darwin continued with his research into natural 
selection, culminating in his seminal work 
On the Origin of Species
, pub­
lished in 1859. The book was an overnight success, though it 
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caused widespread controversy because its theories appeared to conflict 
with the accepted religious view of Creationism. Nevertheless, Charles 
Darwin’s theories gradually gained acceptance, and when he died in 1882, 
age 73, he was honoured by being buried in Westminster Abbey. He will 
always be known as the father of evolution.
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Of all the places Darwin visited, it is the Galapagos Islands that are most 
associated with his theory of evolution. The islands lie in the Pacific Ocean 
off the coast of Ecuador, South America. The word galapago is Spanish for
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terrapin, and it refers to a small edible turtle that Spanish sailors used as a 
food source. Darwin observed variations in turtles, reptiles, birds and other 
species unique to each island, suggesting that the animals had adapted to 
their specific environment. The distances between the islands were too large 
for the animals to interbreed, so they must have descended from a common 
ancestor. Darwin also found fossilized remains of creatures that were now 
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extinct, consistent with a failure to adapt to changes in habitat. Darwin 
believed in ‘the survival of the fittest’, that is to say only those members of a 
species that were best adapted to their surroundings would survive. For 
example, the finches on the islands had beaks of a different size and shape 
suited to their diet: long, pointed beaks to probe for grubs and to grab small 
seeds, or wider, sturdy beaks for cracking nuts and eating larger seeds. 
[Q200]
The extinction of animals not capable of competing for the food is vital to 
Darwin’s theory of natural selection.

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HOW TO MASTER THE IELTS
158
Test 
4
Section 
1
LIBRARIAN: Hi! Are you here for a library card?
STUDENT: Yes. What do I need to do?
LIBRARIAN: 
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I need to see proof of identity and proof of residence. You 
can use a driver’s licence, a passport, a utility contract with your name 
and address on, or a tenancy agreement. Do you have any of those 
with you today?
STUDENT: 
[Q242]
I have my passport and a copy of my landlord’s lease agree­
ment. Will they do?
LIBRARIAN: Let me see. You need to fill out this form whilst I check your ID.
STUDENT: It says here that I need a Personal Identification Number to access my 
account.
LIBRARIAN: 
[Q243]
You can choose your own PIN. Make it a four­digit number, 
but not consecutive numbers like 1234 and you can’t repeat a digit.
STUDENT: I’d like to take out some books today. Will that be possible?
LIBRARIAN: Once I’ve given you a valid library card and your PIN’s been accepted.
STUDENT: Do I need to sign anywhere?
LIBRARIAN: Sign the bottom of the form and also the back of the card once I’ve 
finished with it. Have you included your e­mail address? We need this 
to notify you on your reserves and overdue items. We also e­mail a 
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monthly newsletter that includes details of new titles.
STUDENT: Can I access my account online?
LIBRARIAN: That’s right. Just login with your library card number, shown beneath the
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bar code and enter your PIN
STUDENT: What happens if I lose my card?
LIBRARIAN: We’ll cancel your old card and issue you with a replacement for a
fee of one dollar. The first card is free. You’ll also need a new PIN.
We don’t e­mail it so you’ll have to come in so we can reset it.
STUDENT: OK, thanks. Am I ready to start checking out materials now?

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AUDIO­SCRIPTS FOR THE LISTENING TESTS 
159
LIBRARIAN: Yes. You can access the library catalogue and your account right 
away. Here’s a brochure telling you more about the library’s lending 
policies and rules, as well as opening times, and there’s information 
about late fees and lost items.
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STUDENT: OK, I’m ready to take out a few items but can I go over a few things 
with you first please?
LIBRARIAN: What would you like to know?
STUDENT: Is there a limit on the number of items I can check out?
LIBRARIAN: 
[Q246]
You can have 50 items out at any one time, including a 
maximum of 10 DVDs and 5 CDs.
STUDENT: Wow that’s quite a lot. What about how long I can take things out for; 
books for example?
LIBRARIAN: The loan period is three weeks for books, unless they’re new titles, in