Passage Reference: Breeding bitterns became extinct in the UK by 1886, but, following re-colonisation early last century, numbers rose to a peak of about 70 booming (singing) males in the 1950s, falling to fewer than 20 by the 1990s. In the late 1980s, it was clear that the bittern was in trouble, but there was little information on which to base recovery actions.

Tips: When a paragraph gives dates and numbers rising and falling, think about headings related to change over time.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Began calculation of the number: Counting methods are not described here. This is an example-as-main-idea trap because numbers are mentioned, but not how they were calculated.
• Research has been successful: There is no success yet in this paragraph. It actually says the species was in trouble, which is a contradiction trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• extinct = died out
• re-colonisation = return to an area

Question Focus: Main idea - developing a way to count bitterns

Passage Reference: Bitterns have cryptic plumage and shy nature, usually remaining hidden within the cover of reedbed vegetation. Our first challenge was to develop standard methods to monitor their numbers. The boom of the male bittern is its most distinctive feature during the breeding season, and we developed a method to count them using the sound patterns unique to each individual. This not only allows us to be much more certain of the number of booming males in the UK but also enables us to estimate the local survival of males from one year to the next.

Why this is correct: The paragraph explains how researchers created a method to count bitterns using their calls. The whole paragraph is about monitoring and calculation, not habitat or food.

Tips: If a paragraph explains a method or technique, choose a heading about process, not results.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Research into the reedbed: Reedbeds are only background information here. The main focus is counting birds, so choosing reedbeds is a context shift trap.
• Fluctuation in bittern number: This paragraph explains how numbers are measured, not how they change. That is a wrong focus trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• cryptic = hard to see
• monitor = check regularly

Question Focus: Main idea - understanding habitat needs

Passage Reference: Our first direct understanding of the habitat needs of breeding bitterns came from comparisons of reedbed sites that had lost their booming birds with those that retained them. This research showed that bitterns had been retained in reedbeds where the natural process of succession, or drying out, had been slowed through management. Based on this work, broad recommendations on how to manage and rehabilitate reedbeds for bitterns were made, and funding was provided through the EU LIFE Fund to manage 13 sites within the core breeding range. This project, though led by the RSPB, involved many other organisations.

Why this is correct: The paragraph describes the first understanding of the habitat needs of breeding bitterns and how broad recommendations were made to manage and rehabilitate reedbeds. These are research findings that directly led to decisions about habitat management.

Tips: Do not choose a heading just because organisations or funding are mentioned. Ask what the research is mainly about.

Why the other options are wrong:

• International cooperation works: Although other organisations are mentioned, cooperation is not the main idea. This is an example-as-main-idea trap.
• Research into the reedbed: Research into the reedbed is part of the story, but this paragraph emphasizes the findings and decisions that came from the research, not the research process itself. This is a partial truth trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• succession = natural change over time
• rehabilitate = restore

Question Focus: Main idea - detailed habitat preferences discovered

Passage Reference: To refine these recommendations and provide fine-scale, quantitative habitat prescriptions on the bitterns preferred feeding habitat, we radio-tracked male bitterns on the RSPB’s Minsmere and Leighton Moss reserves. This showed clear preferences for feeding in the wetter reedbed margins, particularly within the reedbed next to larger open pools. The average home range sizes of the male bitterns we followed (about 20 hectares) provided a good indication of the area of reedbed needed when managing or creating habitat for this species. Female bitterns undertake all the incubation and care of the young, so it was important to understand their needs as well. Over the course of our research, we located 87 bittern nests and found that female bitterns preferred to nest in areas of continuous vegetation, well into the reedbed, but where water was still present during the driest part of the breeding season.

Why this is correct: The paragraph describes detailed work including radio-tracking male bitterns which showed clear preferences for feeding in wetter reedbed margins. It also provides a good indication of the reedbed area needed. This is clearly research into the reedbed habitat itself.

Tips: When a paragraph gives results like preferences and measurements, think about findings, not just the topic.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Importance of food: Food is mentioned, but the paragraph is broader and includes nesting and space needs. This is a partial truth trap.
• Research Findings into habitats and decisions made: Research findings and decisions were described in the previous paragraph. This paragraph goes deeper into the specific reedbed research - radio-tracking and habitat preferences. This is a wrong section trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• refine = improve
• home range = area an animal uses

Question Focus: Main idea - chicks die from lack of food, so the fish they eat must be protected

Passage Reference: Many chicks did not survive fledging, and starvation was found to be the most likely reason for their demise. The fish prey fed to chicks was dominated by those species penetrating into the reed edge. So, an important element of recent studies (including a PhD with the University of Hull) has been the development of recommendations on habitat and water conditions to promote healthy native fish populations.

Why this is correct: The paragraph finds that many chicks die, and starvation was found to be the most likely reason. It then explains what the chicks eat (fish) and how new advice aims to promote healthy native fish populations. Food runs through the whole paragraph, so 'Importance of food' is the best heading.

Tips: Ask what problem the paragraph finds and what answer it gives. Here both the problem and the answer are about food.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Protect the young bittern: The paragraph is about chicks, so this is tempting. But its real point is why they die (not enough food) and how to give them more fish. The heading about protecting young birds matches the next paragraph, about new sites for young bitterns. This is a partial truth trap.
• Research has been successful: This paragraph does not report a success. It reports a problem: many chicks did not survive. This is a contradiction trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• starvation = dying from lack of food
• demise = death

Question Focus: Main idea - making safe new places for young bitterns when they leave home

Passage Reference: Once independent, radio-tagged young bitterns were found to seek out new sites during their first winter; a proportion of these would remain on new sites to breed if the conditions were suitable. A second EU LIFE funded project aims to provide these suitable sites in new areas.

Why this is correct: The paragraph follows young bitterns after they become independent. They seek out new sites during their first winter, and a new project aims to provide these suitable sites for them. Giving young birds safe places to live and breed is a way to protect them.

Tips: Find the main subject of each sentence. Here most sentences are about young birds and the places made for them.

Why the other options are wrong:

• International cooperation works: The project gets EU LIFE money and is a partnership, so this heading is tempting. But the money is only one detail here. The main subject is new places for the young birds. This is a partial truth trap.
• Importance of food: Food was the topic of the paragraph before. This paragraph is about where young birds go, not what they eat. This is a wrong section trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• independent = able to live alone
• sustainable = able to last for a long time

Question Focus: Main idea - bittern numbers grew where the research advice was used

Passage Reference: By 2004, the number of booming male bitterns in the UK had increased to 55, with almost all of the increase being on those sites undertaking management based on advice derived from our research. Although science has been at the core of the bittern story, success has only been achieved through the trust, hard work and dedication of all the managers, owners and wardens of sites that have implemented, in some cases very drastic, management to secure the future of this wetland species in the UK. The constructed bunds and five major sluices now control the water level over 82 ha, with a further 50ha coming under control in the winter of 2005/06. Reed establishment has principally used natural regeneration or planted seedlings to provide small core areas that will in time expand to create a bigger reed area. To date, nearly 275,000 seedlings have been planted, and reed cover is extensive. Over 3km of new ditches have been formed, 3.7 km of the existing ditch have been re-profiled, and 2.2km of old meander (former estuarine features) has been cleaned out.I. Bitterns now regularly winter on the site, some indication that they are staying longer into the spring. No breeding has yet occurred, but a booming male was present in the spring of 2004. A range of wildfowl breed, as well as a good number of reedbed passerines, including reed bunting, reed, sedge and grasshopper warblers. Numbers of wintering shoveler have increased so that the site now holds a UK important wintering population. Malltraeth Reserve now forms part of the UK network of key sites for water vole (a UK priority species), and 12 monitoring transects have been established.

Why this is correct: This box holds two paragraphs joined together. It opens with the main result: by 2004 there were 55 booming males, almost all of the increase being on those sites undertaking management based on advice derived from our research. So the research has been successful.

Tips: A heading goes with the paragraph right after its box. The opening sentences usually give the main idea.

Why the other options are wrong:

• Reserve established holding bittern in winter: The text that starts Bitterns now regularly winter on the site is a separate paragraph about one reserve. It fits this heading, but it has no box of its own. This box goes with the paragraph that comes right after the box, and that paragraph opens with the research results. This is a wrong section trap.
• International cooperation works: The writer thanks the people who manage the sites, but no other countries are named. This is a context shift trap.

Key Vocabulary:

• booming = making the loud call of a male bittern
• derived from = coming from

General Tips:

• Read all headings first and underline 2 or 3 key words in each before matching.
• Focus on the main idea of the whole paragraph, not one interesting detail.
• Paragraphs usually follow a story from problem to solution. Use this order to help you.
• If two headings seem possible, choose the one that covers more of the paragraph.