TOEFL Reading 18

 

[1] Metal detectors are used to find metal. Sometimes, a metal detectorist might find something valuable, such as a historical relic or artefact. A metal detector might discover something of great importance. For example, in 2000, two sets of Iron Age jewellery was discovered by Kevan Hall's. His discovery was followed by an excavation. In 2001, Cliff Bradshaw in Kent discovered the Ringlemere Cup, a Bronze Age artefact. His find led to an exaction funded by English Heritage.

[2] However, due to a recent survey on metal detecting in Britain, only a small percentage of discoveries are actually being reported to museums. Additionally, many protected, archaeological sites were raided and damaged by metal detectorists. In the 1980s, bronze artefacts were stolen from a Suffolk site and in the 1990s, a Surrey site was plundered. The result of such activity is that essential information about these sites is lost. Archaeology depends on understanding the location of an artefact, the terrain it is found in and the connections between the item and key evidence. While radiocarbon dating can give us the age of an object, we still know very little about it without information about the context and location of the artefact. On the other hand, knowing the location and surrounding evidence of an object can help us interpret further the origin and meaning of an object. Because of this, certain archaeologists have encouraged stricter regulation on metal detectorists while others suggest better communication and education among the metal detecting community.

[3] An archaeologist called Tony Gregory in Norfolk collected a group of detectorists to survey the Roman temple site at Caistor St Edmund. The purpose was to estimate the damage done by groups of treasure hunter robbers who were plundering by night and to stop further damage. Through this type of constructive cooperation, detectorists are more open in revealing their findings. For example, Iron Age and Bronze Age artefacts in England have been recovered and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

[4] Metal detecting research has also led to useful information in the area of battlefield archaeology. The work done for BBC’s Two Men in a Trench is an example of this. On the other hand, disorganized metal detection has led to a loss of information. Most metal detection takes place on cultivated land, which leads us to understand about ploughing in these sites. The findings of Anglo-Saxon grave goods in East Anglia have led to archaeologists’ pinpointing new sites and the effect of ploughing on the disappearance of remains. Additionally, metal detection has revealed attrition on the land and that the use of chemicals on cultivated land has damaged many artefacts buried in the earth.

[5] Regulation about the reporting of finds varies in different parts of the country. ‘Treasure Trove’ law in Scotland requires that all discoveries are reported, and the law in Northern Ireland is now stricter than before. In the rest of the UK, regulation is not very strict and under the Treasure Act, only some categories must be reported. However, finders are motivated to report with a reward for their discoveries. In 1997 a pilot scheme began where Finds Liaison Officers were appointed to have archaeological finds identified and recorded. Initially, it was very successful - 37,518 artefacts were recorded in the year 2000-2001. In 2002, Lottery funding was provided to expand the Scheme across all of England and Wales.

[6] Combining GPS with information from geophysical surveys and aerial photography has resulted in increased findings. Research the Civil War siege is now underway at Grafton Regis, Northamptonshire thanks to this technology.

[7] Despite new procedures and improvements, metal detectorists still lack the expertise to conserve their discoveries, and may damage them. There are ethical questions to consider regarding the collection and sale of such material, and there are some questions whether the payment of rewards for findings is appropriate or not. Nevertheless, we must address these points so that we can learn to appreciate our archaeological inheritance.

1 Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 2 about the reporting of discoveries?

• Reporting of findings is essential to understand our environment and land.
• Reporting of findings is essential to understand more about our archaeological inheritance.
• Radiocarbon dating is sufficient to understand more about our archaeological inheritance.
• Reporting of findings will increase once they are regulated.

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.
The key to answering this inference question correctly is to clarify the general information of paragraph 2, and to make a conclusion based on that. Scan the paragraph for its general meaning. Underline sentences that will help you conclude the key idea of the text. Finally, eliminate answers that attempt to confuse you with information that is absent from the text.

However, due to a recent survey on metal detecting in Britain, only a small percentage of discoveries are actually being reported to museums... In the 1980s, bronze artefacts were stolen ... essential information about these sites is lost. Archaeology depends on understanding the location of an artefact, the terrain it is found in and the connections between the item and key evidence. While radiocarbon dating can give us the age of an object, we know very little more about it without information about the context and location of the artefact. On the other hand, understanding the location and surrounding evidence that a historical site existed can help to interpret the origin and meaning of an object in more depth.

Let’s break down the information in the paragraph:
a. Few discoveries are reported
b. Plundering and damage has occurred on archaeological sites
c. Radiocarbon dating is not sufficient to know everything about an artefact.
d. Understanding the environment of the artefact is essential
Therefore, we can infer that reporting the artefact is not only important but also essential in archaeology – answer (B) is correct.

(A) is not the correct answer because the point about reporting is not only related to environment and land.

(C) is not the correct answer because according to the paragraph, radiocarbon dating is not sufficient to understand more about our archaeological inheritance: . While radiocarbon dating can give us the age of an object, we still know very little about it without information about the context and location of the artefact'.

(D) is not the correct answer because there is no suggestion in the paragraph that reporting of findings will increase once they are regulated.

2 In paragraph 3, why does the author mention the work of Tony Gregory?

• Because Tony Gregory reported many findings that led to an understanding of Iron Age and Bronze Age artefacts in England.
• Because Tony Gregory encouraged cooperation between detectorists and archaeologists which led to more reporting of findings.
• Because Tony Gregory increased regulation of detectorists’ findings.
• Because Tony Gregory prevented further plundering of archaeological sites.

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.
The key to answering the question successfully is to identify the sentence in the text that refers to Tony Gregory. Then, clarify the actions conducted by him, the purpose and the final outcome to find the correct answer.

An archaeologist called Tony Gregory in Norfolk collected a group of detectorists to survey the Roman temple site at Caistor St Edmund. The purpose was to estimate the damage done by groups of treasure hunter robbers who were plundering by night, and to stop further damage. Through this type of constructive cooperation detectorists are more open in revealing their findings (Lines 1 to 5).
We learn that Tony Gregory gathered a group of detectorists to estimate and prevent damage at the temple site. This cooperation results in more revelation of findings – hence, answer B is correct.

(A) is not the correct answer because there is no reference in the text that Tony Gregory reported many findings.

(C) is incorrect because there is no mention of increased regulations.

(D) is wrong. Although it may be true that Tony Gregory prevented further plundering, this point is not the main reason the author mentions him in the paragraph.

3 According to paragraph 4, what environmental impacts of ploughing did detectorists notice?

• Attrition and damage of chemicals on archaeological artefacts.
• Damage of chemicals on the land of an archaeological site.
• The disappearance of remains.
• The loss of information about archaeological artefacts.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

(A) is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 4. The technique in answering the question accurately is to understand the question clearly. Underline the key words: what environmental impacts of ploughing did detectorists notice?
Now, highlight the word ploughing in paragraph 4 and read on to clarify the impacts noticed by detectorists:

The findings of Anglo-Saxon goods from graves in East Anglia led archaeologists’ to pinpointing new sites and the effect of ploughing on the disappearance of remains. Additionally, metal detection has revealed attrition on the land and that the use of chemicals on cultivated soil has damaged many artefacts buried in the earth.
The word effect is a synonym of impact.
Effect = impact
That effect is attrition on land and damage to artefacts, also due to chemicals on the soil. Therefore, b is the correct answer.

(B) is incorrect because the damage of chemicals was to artefacts, not to the site.

(C) is not the correct answer because even though disappearance of remains is mentioned, it is not an environmental impact.

(D) is also wrong because even though loss of information is mentioned, it is not an environmental impact.

4 According to paragraph 3, all of the following statements are true about the work of Tony Gregory, EXCEPT:

• Tony Gregory’s group surveyed the Roman Temple site at Caistor St Edmund.
• The aim of Tony Gregory’s group was to estimate and prevent further damage.
• Due to this type of cooperation between archaeologists and detectorists, artifacts have been reported.
• Many artefacts have been recovered from the sites that were plundered by night.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

(D) is correct because there is no reference in the text that artefacts from plundered sites were recovered.
To answer the question successfully, read the answers carefully and remember that you are looking for the false statement. Then, scan paragraph 3 and identify the matching information that correspond to the true answers. Answer D is the only false statement. **Look for matching words and synonyms to help speed up your ability to find the right answer.

(A) An archaeologist called Tony Gregory in Norfolk collected a group of detectorists to survey the Roman temple site at Caistor St Edmund.

(B) The purpose was to estimate the damage done by groups of treasure hunter robbers who were plundering by night, and to stop further damage. (stop further damage = prevent further damage)

(C) For example, Iron Age and Bronze Age artefacts England have been recovered and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

5 Paragraph 4 supports which of the following statements about metal detection:

• It’s essential for metal detection research to be organized in order to lose information.
• It’s essential for metal detection to be organized in order to conserve information.
• It’s essential for battlefield archaeology to be organized in order to conserve information.
• It’s essential for metal detection to take place on the battlefield in order to conserve information.

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 4:
The technique to answering the question is to find supporting reference in the paragraph for one statement in the list of answers. Read through the answers carefully and identify any matching words/information.

Metal detecting research has also led to useful information in the area of battlefield archaeology. The work done for BBC’s Two Men in a Trench is an example of this. On the other hand, disorganized metal detection has led to a loss of information.

The author contrasts two points. On one hand, research has been very successful. On the other hand, disorganization leads to a loss of information. The author infers that organization leads to conservation of information. Answer (B) matches this explanation.

(A) is not the correct answer because it inverts the main idea related to metal detection in the paragraph.

(C) is not the correct answer because the statement refers to battlefield archaeology instead of metal detection. The answer aims to confuse the reader as there is a reference to battlefield archaeology in the first line of the paragraph.

(D) is not the correct answer because there is no reference to this point in the passage.

6 The word 'ploughing' in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to:

• Planting
• Tilling
• Growing
• Burying

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

(B) is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the word ploughing.
The key to answering this question is to highlight the word in the sentence and clarify its meaning in the greater context of the passage. We understand from the text that ploughing is an activity that disrupts the level of the land, as it impacts the findings of artifacts. Tilling is the most suitable synonym.

(A)is not the correct answer because this word means sowing. Planting seeds or sowing would not affect the finding of artifacts and secondly, it is not a synonym of ploughing.

(C) is incorrect because this word means cultivating. The word is not an appropriate synonym.

(D) is wrong because this word means placing in the ground. Although it may disrupt and impact findings, it is not a synonym of ploughing.

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

Despite new procedures and improvements, metal detectorists still lack the expertise to conserve their discoveries, and may damage them

• Along with new procedures and improvements, metal detectorists also have a wealth of skills to conserve their findings without damaging them.
• Metal detectorists don’t have the skills and knowledge to conserve their findings and might damage them, in spite of modern techniques and improvements.
• As a consequence of new procedures and improvements, metal detectorists don’t have the expertise to conserve their findings without damaging them.
• Metal detectorists have the skills and knowledge to conserve their findings without damaging them, in spite of modern techniques and improvements.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

(B) is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the sample sentence.
The technique to answering this question correctly is to firstly understand the general meaning of the sentence and secondly, to highlight the key words in the sentence and to find their synonyms and matching words in the correct answer. We find the same meaning and matching words/synonyms in answer (B):
metal detectorists still lack the expertise = metal detectorists don’t have the skills and knowledge
may damage them = might damage them
Despite new procedures and improvements = in spite of modern techniques and improvements

(A) is not the correct answer because the expression along with and reference to a wealth of skills changes the meaning of the original sentence.

(C) is wrong. By using As a consequence, it states that detectorists do not have skills because of new procedures and improvements, which does not make sense.

(D) is not the correct answer because it contradicts the meaning of the original sentence.

8 According to the passage, what is an important development in the field of archaeology?

• The collaboration between metal detectorists and archaeologists in reporting valuable discoveries.
• The contribution of radiocarbon dating to the discovery of artifacts.
• The elimination of plundering and theft on archaeological sites.
• The removal of all regulations so that metal detectorists will freely report their findings.

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:
The technique to answering this question correctly is to firstly understand the general meaning of the question and secondly, to highlight the key words in the question to find their synonyms and matching words in the correct answer.

Question: what is an important development in the field of archaeology?
In lines 4, 5 and 6 of paragraph 3, we read:

This type of constructive cooperation among detectorists has led to more revelation of their findings. For example, Iron Age and Bronze Age artefacts in England have been recovered and reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
According to the passage, cooperation among detectorists (thanks to Tony Gregogy) has been the most important development as it has led to greater revelation of discoveries – hence, answer A is correct.

(B) is not the correct answer. Although there is a reference to radiocarbon dating in the passage, it is used to calculate the age of the artefact – not its location.

(C) is not right because plundering and theft have not been eliminated from archaeological sites, and there is no referral to this in the text.

(D) is incorrect because there is no reference to the removal of regulations in the passage.

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

Global Positioning System technology, a satellite-based navigation system, is now used to track and investigate archaeological sites.

 

█ [A] Combining GPS with information from geophysical surveys and aerial photography has resulted in increased findings. █ [B] Research of the Civil War siege is now underway at Grafton Regis, █ [C] Northamptonshire thanks to this technology. █ [D] .

• [A]
• [B]
• [C]
• [D]

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

(A) is correct because the sample sentence introduces the topic of GPS.

The trick to finding the correct answer is to read the 4 sentences carefully. Highlight any key words that match those in the sample sentence. We see the word GPS in sentence (A). This follows the introduction of Global Positioning System in the sample sentence.

Therefore, the new sentence should appear at point (A).

(B), (C) and (D) are not correct as the sentence would have arrived too late at these points to introduce the topic of Global Positioning System.

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.

 

There are ethical questions to consider regarding the collection and sale of such material.

• b. Questions have been asked whether it’s ethical or not to pay rewards for discoveries.
• c. We must take into consideration the morality of gathering and selling valuable archaeological findings.
• d. These are issues that we still must address in order to continue to understand our archaeological remains.

 

• a. It’s not ethical to collect and sell archaeological artifacts without reporting them.
• b. Questions have been asked whether it’s ethical or not to pay rewards for discoveries.
• c. We must take into consideration the morality of gathering and selling valuable archaeological findings.
• d. These are issues that we still must address in order to continue to understand our archaeological remains.
• e. We must prevent the collection, sale and rewards for reporting artefacts.
•  

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 2 points.

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

(B),(C) and (D) are the correct answers because there is evidence in the passage to support each point. The technique in answering the question accurately is to scan the passage, highlighting sentences that match the answers. Finding matching words and synonyms can speed up this process.

(B): There are ethical questions to consider regarding the collection and sale of such material, and there are some questions whether the payment of rewards for findings is appropriate or not ... we must address these points so that we can learn to appreciate our archaeological inheritance (payment of rewards for findings = pay rewards for discoveries).

(C) There are ethical questions to consider regarding the collection and sale of such material (ethical = moral).

(D) We must address these points so that we can learn to appreciate our archaeological inheritance.

(A) is incorrect because the writer doesn't give an opinion on whether it is ethical or not to pay rewards for discoveries.

(E) is not the correct answer because there is no reference to the idea of preventing the reporting of findings. In fact, this sentence contradicts the idea in the passage that it is important to encourage the reporting of findings.