IELTS Reading

Nature: Exotic Creatures 3

– The Axolotl –

“The Axolotl, commonly referred to as the Mexican walking fish, is a truly fascinating creature that inhabits the remnants of Xochimilco, a system of lakes and canals near Mexico City. Despite its common name, the Axolotl is not a fish but an amphibian, a type of salamander that intriguingly spends its entire life in its larval form.

A marvel of nature, this organism exhibits a rare trait known as neoteny, meaning it retains juvenile features throughout its adulthood. Unlike most amphibians, the Axolotl bypasses metamorphosis and remains aquatic for its entire life, equipped with external gills and a dorsal fin used for swimming.

Arguably its most impressive characteristic is its remarkable regenerative ability. Axolotls can not only regenerate lost limbs but also their heart, spinal cord, and even parts of their brain, a phenomenon that continues to intrigue scientists.

However, due to urbanisation and invasive species, Axolotls are critically endangered in the wild. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and revitalise their delicate habitat, ensuring these exotic creatures continue to enchant us with their unique abilities.”

Choose NO MORE THAN TWO words from the text for each answer.
  1. The Axolotl, also known as the Mexican walking ________ 1, can be found in the remnants of Xochimilco.
  2. This animal, although known as a fish, is actually an ________ 2, specifically a type of salamander.
  3. The Axolotl exhibits ________ 3, retaining its youthful features even when it becomes an adult.
  4. Unlike most of its kind, the Axolotl avoids undergoing ________ 4, remaining aquatic throughout its life.
  5. One of its striking features is its capacity for ________ 5, even regenerating parts of its brain.
  6. Due to urban expansion and non-native species, Axolotls have become ________ 6 endangered in their natural habitat.
Choose NO MORE THAN ONE word from the text for each answer.

Known as the Mexican walking fish, the Axolotl is an extraordinary creature that resides in the remains of Xochimilco, near Mexico City. Contrary to its name, the Axolotl is an ________ 1, more precisely a type of salamander that intriguingly never transitions out of its larval stage. This fascinating animal demonstrates a condition known as ________ 2, retaining its juvenile characteristics into adulthood and never undergoing ________ 3. Perhaps the most astounding ability of the Axolotl is its exceptional ________ 4 capability, with the capacity to regenerate not just limbs, but even its heart, spinal cord, and sections of its brain. However, due to the encroachment of cities and the presence of invasive species, Axolotls are critically ________ 5 in their natural environment, prompting initiatives aimed at conserving and restoring their fragile ________ 6.

Vocabulary Builder 

  • Find the synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning) to these 9 words from the original passage.
Original word Variants used
Remnants ________
Intriguingly ________
Larval ________
Trait ________ / ________
Juvenile ________
Gills N/A
Limbs ________
Invasive ________ / ________
Enchant ________ / ________
Original word Variants used
Remnants Remains
Intriguingly Fascinating
Larval Youthful features
Trait Feature, characteristic
Juvenile Young
Gills N/A
Limbs Parts
Invasive Non-native, presence
Enchant Captivate, fascinating

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