TOEFL Reading 16

 

[1] The Mesolithic period occurred around 10,000 years BC, at the end of the ice age. During this era, Britain was still part of the European continent. The sea levels rose as the ice melted, forests began to cover the land mass and animals and humans began to inhabit the area.
 

[2] It is believed that nomadic hunters and gatherers inhabited this land. In order to survive, it is thought that they hunted animals for food and skins and lived also on berries and nuts. It is also thought that these people lived in portable, light structures. Because these homes were portable and easy to disassemble, there is very little evidence of the existence of these people. Apart from some exceptions in Britain and Scandinavia, the only evidence of their existence is usually a scattering of distinct and finely worked stone tools.
 

[3] Two archaeologists in Britain noticed examples of such tools in a sandy cliff near a village called Howick in Northumberland, in the United Kingdom. Upon excavation, these tools soon revealed something deeper underneath – a Mesolithic house that could have dated back 10,000 years. This incredible discovery led to some exciting questions about and understanding of the Mesolithic Age.
 

[4] Once fully excavated, the structure appeared to be a shallow, circular hollow cut into the sand, some of which had disappeared over the cliff edge. Inside, archaeologists discovered a circle of substantial holes with charcoal stains in their bases and a number of smaller stake holes. Even more surprisingly, shallow depressions filled with burned nutshells and charcoal were revealed, indicating ancient meals made in small fireplaces. Hazelnuts shells were the main evidence and the conclusion drawn by scientists was that these abodes were probably used as permanent food storage places and residences.
 

[5] There was a second method which the hazel nutshells indicated further information about the house. Radiocarbon dating depends on measuring the radioactive carbon absorbed during their lifetime by all living things. A tree, for example, will absorb its carbon throughout its life, with the result that the inner ring of a large tree may be hundreds of years older in radiocarbon terms than the outermost ring that grew the year the tree died. Nuts, in comparison, grew and fell or were gathered in one season, so they only contain one year's radioactive carbon. This is why hazelnuts make them perfect samples for accurate radiocarbon dating. Using radiocarbon dating, a British scientist was able to confirm that the house was constructed around 7,600 BC and that it had been lived in for perhaps as long as 100 years.
 

[6] Natural resources at this time in Europe and Britain would also have allowed more permanent occupation of a site such as Howick, as it is situated in a coastal area with combined resources such as wood for fuel and construction, animals, flint for tools and marine life – fish, seals, seabirds and their eggs – to provide food. Investigators have also discovered and proved that sources of fresh water and food would have made Howick an ideal place to reside for Mesolithic people. It is also being proved that Mesolithic people were prepared to modify the natural environment – through the burning of woodland – to improve hunting grounds. Scientists have investigated a submerged Mesolithic forest, where many burned tree trunks were discovered - evidence of the deliberate burning of woodland. The burning of woodland created an open clearing for the cultivation of hazel trees and grazing animals. Small flints, indicating the use of bows and arrows were also discovered. Carved animals, deer skulls, and engravings on bones have also been found, thought to have had magical significance.
 

[7] However, even with all this evidence of Mesolithic communities existing in Howick, it is still impossible to say whether or not these ancient people settled permanently, 4000 years later. Archaeologists conclude that the Mesolithic Age was not simply a nomadic period although there is not sufficient evidence to prove otherwise.

1 Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2 about Britain and Scandinavia?

• There were distinct and finely worked stone tools discovered in these regions.
• There was evidence of Mesolithic habitation, but it was not related to distinct and finely worked stone tools.
• There was little evidence of Mesolithic habitation.
• There was no evidence of Mesolithic habitation.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

b is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 2 which states that except for Britain and Scandinavia, there is little evidence, inferring there is good evidence of the Mesolithic habitation found in Britain and Scandinavia.

'there is very little evidence of the existence of these people. Apart from some exceptions in Britain and Scandinavia,

a is not the correct answer because it completely contradicts lines 5 and 6 of Paragraph 2:

'Apart from some exceptions in Britain and Scandinavia, the only evidence of their existence is usually a scattering of distinct and finely worked stone tools'.

c is not the correct answer because, although the passage states there is little evidence, the inference question is about Britain and Scandinavia and in the passage, it states that except for Britain and Scandinavia, there is little evidence, inferring there is good evidence of the Mesolithic habitation.

d is not the correct answer because it is not true as there was evidence of Mesolithic habitations as is clearly stated in paragraph 2.

2 In paragraph 3, why does the author include the information that there was an excavation in Howick, Northumberland?

• Because it led to the discovery of flint tools
• Because it led to a better awareness of and interest in the Mesolithic Age.
• Because it led to the discovery of the remains of Mesolithic people.
• Because it led to the discovery of hazel nuts.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

b is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 3: 'This incredible discovery led to some exciting questions about and understanding of the Mesolithic Age' (Paragraph 3, lines 5 and 6)..

a is not the correct answer because there is no reference that flint tools were discovered at Howick.

c is not the correct answer because there is no reference that remains of Mesolithic people were discovered at Howick.

d is not the correct answer because there is no reference that although hazel nuts were discovered at Howick, this was not the reason the writer refers to Howick in the passage.

3 According to paragraph 5, how did scientists prove that this dwelling-place dated back to the Mesolithic Age?

• Through the discovery of shallow depressions that appeared to be fireplaces.
• Through the discovery of burned hazelnut shells.
• By calculating the rings on the surrounding trees nearby.
• Using radio carbondating.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

d is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 5:

'Using radiocarbon dating, a British scientist was able to confirm that the house was constructed around 7,600 BC and that it had been lived in for perhaps as long as 100 years' (Paragraph 5, lines 9 to 11).

a is not the correct answer because although shallow depressions were discovered, they did not prove the age of Howick.

b is not the correct answer because although hazelnuts were discovered, they did not prove the age of Howick.

c is not the correct answer because although the writer refers to tree rings to calculate age, this method was not used by scientists to prove the age of Howick.

4 According to paragraph 6 and 7, all of the following statements are true about Howick, EXCEPT:

• There had been sources of fresh water in the area.
• It was a coastal region.
• There were sources of wood for construction and fuel.
• There is sufficient evidence of Mesolithic people living permanently in the area 4000 years on.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

d is correct because it contradicts lines 1 and 2 of paragraph 7:
'However, even with all this evidence of Mesolithic communities existing in Howick, it is still impossible to say whether or not these ancient people settled permanently, 4000 years later'.

a, b and c are incorrect because they are all true statements from the passage
a> 'Investigators have also discovered and proved that sources of fresh water and food would have made Howick an ideal place to reside for Mesolithic people' (Paragraph 6, lines 5 and 6).

b> 'Natural resources at this time in Europe and Britain would also have allowed more permanent occupation of a site such as Howick, as it is situated on a coastal area' (Lines 1 and 2).

c> 'Natural resources at this time in Europe and Britain would also have allowed more permanent occupation of a site such as Howick, as it is situated on a coastal area with combined resources such as wood for fuel and construction...' (Lines 1 to 3).

5 Paragraph 6 and 7 supports which of the following statements about

• Scientists have succeeded to prove that the Mesolithic Age was a nomadic period.
• Scientists have succeeded to prove that the Mesolithic Age was not a nomadic period.
• The excavations led to an understanding that the Mesolithic Age was a magical period.
• The excavations led to scientists assuming the Mesolithic Age was not only nomadic.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

d is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraphs 6 and 7:
'Archaeologists conclude that the Mesolithic Age was not simply a nomadic period although there is not sufficient evidence to prove otherwise' (Paragraph 7, lines 3 to 5).

a is not the correct answer because it contradicts the last two sentences of Paragraph 7.

b is not the correct answer because in fact scientists have NOT succeeded to prove that the Mesolithic Age was not a nomadic period; they only 'concluded' (which means 'speculated, based on some evidence') this point.

c is not the correct answer because there is no reference to magic in paragraphs 6 and 7.

6 The word 'engravings' in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to:

• Etchings, drawings
• Pictures
• Writing
• Paintings

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

a is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the word 'engravings'.

b is not the correct answer because this word means 'illustrations'.
c is not the correct answer because this word means 'text'.
d is not the correct answer because this word means 'pictures made with paint'.

7 Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence?

It is also being proved that Mesolithic people were prepared to modify the natural environment – through the burning of woodland – to improve hunting grounds.

• Evidence is being studied that the Mesolithic people were ready to change the surrounding region for hunting purposes by burning forests.
• There is increasing evidence that the natural environment was burned down by Mesolithic people.
• It is being shown that Mesolithic people did not have the means to burn woodland during that period.
• It is being proved that land, plants and animals were burned by Mesolithic people.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

a is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the sample sentence

b is not the correct answer because there is no reference in the original sentence that there was 'increasing evidence'.

c is not the correct answer because there it contradicts the original statement.

d is not the correct answer because there is no reference to 'animals' being burned.

8 According to the passage, what did the discovery of small flints indicate?

• Further evidence of the existence of Mesolithic people as they used flint for bows and arrows.
• The use of deer skulls.
• Further evidence of Mesolithic people as they used flint for magical purposes.
• Objects for magical purposes.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

a is the correct answer because it is inferred in the passage:
'Small flints, indicating the use of bows and arrows were also discovered' (paragraph 6, lines 14 and 15).

b is not the correct answer because there is no connection between flints and deer skulls indicated in paragraph 6.

c is not the correct answer because in fact, only 'animals, deer skulls and engravings on bones have also been found, thought to have had magical significance'.

d is not the correct answer because there is no reference to flints being used for magical practices - only
'Carved animals, deer skulls and engravings on bones have also been found, thought to have had magical significance'.

9 Examine the four █ in the selection below and indicate at which block the following sentence could be inserted into the passage:

The British archaeological team have constructed a replica of Howick House based on the evidence acutely observed by scientists throughout the excavation process.

 

█ [A] Carved animals, deer skulls and engravings on bones have also been found, thought to have had magical significance. █ [B] However, even with all this evidence of Mesolithic communities existing in Howick, it is still impossible to say whether or not these ancient people settled permanently, 4000 years later. █ [C] Archaeologists conclude that the Mesolithic Age was not simply a nomadic period although there is not sufficient evidence to prove otherwise. █ [D] .

• [A]
• [B]
• [C]
• [D]

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

b is correct because the sample sentence introduces the topic of 'Howick House' which is referred to in sentence B.

10Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong. To remove an answer choice, drag it back. To review the passage, click VIEW TEXT.

 

Scientists have concluded that the Mesolithic Age was not only a nomadic period.

• A.The discovery of the ancient home in England indicates it may have been a permanent dwelling-place or storage site.
• B.Radiocarbon dating proves the age of the ancient home.
• C. Evidence of burned woodland suggests Mesolithic people were preparing hunting areas.

 

• A.The discovery of the ancient home in England indicates it may have been a permanent dwelling-place or storage site.
• B.Radiocarbon dating proves the age of the ancient home.
• C. Evidence of burned woodland suggests Mesolithic people were preparing hunting areas.
• D.The discovery of tools also indicates the permanent, year-round presence of Mesolithic people in Howick.
• E.The discovery of bow and arrows suggests Mesolithic people hunted in the Howick area.
• F.The fact that there were fresh water sources proves that Mesolithic people lived permanently in the Howick area.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 2 points.

Correct Answer: a,b,c
Your Selection: Not Answered

a, b and c are the correct answers because there is evidence in the passage supporting each point.

a> 'However, even with all this evidence of Mesolithic communities existing in Howick, it is still impossible to say whether or not these ancient people settled permanently, 4000 years later'. (Paragraph 7, lines 1 to 3).

b>'Using radiocarbon dating, a British scientist was able to confirm that the house was constructed around 7,600 BC and that it had been lived in for perhaps as long as 100 years'. (Paragraph 5, lines 9 to 12).

c>' It is also being proved that Mesolithic people were prepared to modify the natural environment – through burning of woodland – to improve hunting grounds' (Paragraph 6, lines 8 to 10).

d is not the correct answer because there is no connection in the passage between the discovery of tools and a permanent habitation of Mesolithic people in Howick.

e is not the correct answer because the text does not suggest that bows and arrows were linked to hunting.

f is not the correct answer because the word 'prove' can not be used as scientists only theorize (without sufficient evidence) that Mesolithic people lived permanently in Howick.