TOEFL Reading 6

 

[1] The Agricultural Revolutions occurred between 2000 and 6000 BC. It is believed that due to climate change, people moved from animal hunting to gathering and agriculture. About 10,000 years ago, some human groups began to raise animals and cultivate domesticated plants. Over the next thousand years, most people became food producers, although hunting and gathering were ongoing. The Agricultural Revolution is the period in history when food production was prevalent in human activity. It occurred over a period of time as food gathering led to food production over several generations. We believe the process began when foragers started to scatter seeds and clear weeds to grow crops they enjoyed using for food. It’s possible that non-settled groups behaved in this way, although some families probably settled permanently to produce this food in the long term.

[2] The discovery of specialized stone tools indicated the new food-producing practices: polished or ground stone heads to work the soil, sharp stone chips embedded in bone or wooden handles for cutting grass, and stone mortars for grain production. Early farmers used fire to clear fields of shrubs. Trees were burned to make clearings and the ashes were used as a natural fertilizer.

[3] Over time, gatherers selected the highest-yielding strains of plants for food cultivation. The earliest proof of agriculture lies in the Middle East, where it was noted that wheat and barley were cultivated by 8000BC. Farmers began to alternate the cultivation of grains and pulses, such as lentils and peas, to maintain fertility. Gradually, domesticated plants spread from the Middle East to other regions and there was some exchange of crops and techniques. However, it is believed that agriculture developed independently in most countries.

[4] The oldest traces of food production in North Africa date back to 8000 BC in Easter Sahara. Wheat, barley, goat, and sheep cultivation are evident and a move of farming activities to the Nile Valley is evident when the climate became drier by 5000BC. Farming began in Greece in 6000BC and agriculture appears to have started in Central Europe around 4000BC. Agriculture spread even further in Europe over the next thousand years as more forested areas were cleared and climate changed. By 2600BC, ox-drawn plows were used in Central Europe. It appears that the Mediterranean region boasted many crops and agricultural techniques. South Sahara favoured domestic grains and in eastern Africa, Wheat and Barley. In the Middle East and equatorial West Africa, yams became an early domestic crop. The cultivation of domestic rice began in China and Northern India sometime between 10,000 and 5,000 BC, as the climate favoured the development of this crop. Cultivation of hyacinth beans, green and black grams originated in India by 2000 BC.

[5] The cultivation of corn started in the Tehuacán Valley of Mexico after 8000 B.C.E. as there was a shift from hunting to food production. In Peru, food production of potatoes and quinoa began, and in other parts of America, there was the cultivation of tomatoes, peppers, squash, and potatoes. The root crop manioc became a staple food after 1500 BC and spread to the Caribbean. Around this same era, we note the domestication of animals both for hunting and the supply of milk and energy.

[6] After 7000 BC, there was a decline in animal hunting as shown by the decrease in the number of gazelle bones discovered in the Middle East. However, people continued to consume meat as sheep and goats replaced gazelles. People gradually began to cultivate specific breeds of animals not only for their meat but also for their coats and milk production. Animal droppings were used as fertilizer. Prior to 3000 BC, domestic animals began to evolve from wilder species, such as cattle, donkeys, buffalo, and Zebuo in India, horses, and camels as well as chickens and pigs. Tamed animals became vital for the agricultural cycle of grain farmers. In America, llamas provide meat and wool; turkeys and guinea pigs provided meat.

[7] In conclusion, the gradual adoption of food production changed several parts of the world. Agriculture caused a gradual population increase, perhaps to 10 million by 5000 B.C.E., and then a further escalation to about 50 million and 100 million by 1000 B.C.E.

1 Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about the first cultivation of crops?

• Both non-settled groups of people and settled groups started to cultivate crops by sowing seeds of crops they wanted for food.
• Settled groups started to cultivate crops by sowing seeds of crops they wanted for food.
• Non-settled groups or nomads started to cultivate crops by sowing seeds of crops they wanted for food.
• People had no choice but to start spreading seeds for crops they enjoyed for food.

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 1 (lines 9 to 13).

b is not correct because it omits 'non-settled groups'.
c is not correct because it omits 'settled groups'.
d there is no reference to this point in the passage

2 According to paragraph 2, what was the effect of stone tools?

• Stone Age people could now cultivate the land, cut grass and produce grain.
• Stone Age people could now produce food.
• Stone Age people could now clear fields of shrubs.
• Stone Age people could now burn trees to make clearing for farming.

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 2
(lines 1 to 4).
b is incorrect because the statement is too broad.
c is incorrect because line 5 states that fire was used to clear fields of shrubs.
d is incorrect because stone age tools had no connection with clearing for farming.

3 According to paragraph 3, all of the following statements are true, EXCEPT:

• The highest-yielding strains were selected for food cultivation and production.
• The purpose of alternating crops was to maintain variety.
• Agriculture gradually spread from the Middle East to other regions.
• Most agriculture developed independently.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered

(b) is correct because there is no reference to this point in the passage. The text "Farmers began to alternate the cultivation of grains and pulses, such as lentils and peas, to maintain fertility." only implies that the purpose of alternating crops was to maintain fertility.

(c) is also mentioned here "Gradually, domesticated plants spread from the Middle East to other regions and there was some exchange of crops and techniques"

(a) and (d) are incorrect because they are all true statements from the passage

4 Paragraph 4 supports which of the following statements about the development of food production:

• Ox-drawn ploughs was a major factor in the development of food production in Africa, Asia and Europe.
• Crop exchange was a major factor in the development of food production in Africa, Asia and Europe.
• Climate was a major factor in the development of food production in Africa, Asia and Europe.
• Animal and plant cultivation were major factors in the development of food production in Africa, Asia and Europe.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: c
Your Selection: Not Answered

c is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 4
(lines 3 and 4).
a is incorrect because ox-drawn ploughs were not used in all of these regions, according to the paragraph.
b is incorrect because crop-exchange was not used in all of these regions, according to the paragraph.
d is incorrect because there is no inference that animal and plant cultivation were major factors in food development in these regions, according to the paragraph.

5 In paragraph 5, why does the author mention the Tehuacán Valley of Mexico?

• Because there was a shift from hunting to the domestication of animals.
• Because along with Peru, corn was first cultivated in 8000BC.
• Because there was a shift from hunting to the cultivation of potatoes and quinoa.
• Because there was a shift from hunting to the cultivation of corn around 8000BC.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

d is the correct answer because the statement in paragraph 5 states "The cultivation of corn started in Tehuacán Valley of Mexico after 8000 B.C.E. as there was a shift from hunting to food production."

a the sentence is inaccurate
b is incorrect because the cultivation of potatoes and quinoa was not the replacement of hunting
c is incorrect because the question is asking about "The Tehuacán Valley of Mexico" which cultivated corn, not potatoes.

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

• Types
• Species
• Families
• Groups

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 'breeds' ('types/kinds/sorts'). A breed is a variety of domestic animal that has been selectively bred by humans to have particular characteristics that others of its species don't have. For example, Chihuahua and Great Dane are breeds of dogs. They're the same species - they're both dogs - but they're different breeds.

b this word means families or groups. A species is a particular kind of animal - tigers are a species, humans are a species, killer whales are a species, etc.

c this word means groups related by blood.
d this word means clans/teams.

7 Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence from paragraph 5?

Around this same era, we note the domestication of animals both for hunting and the supply of milk and energy.

• Before this time, we see animals being tamed to help in hunting and providing milk and energy.
• At about this time, we see animals being hunted and providing milk and energy.
• After this period, we see animals being tamed to help in hunting and providing milk and energy.
• At about this time, we see animals being tamed to help in hunting and providing milk and energy.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

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

a this is incorrect as the word 'before' changes the meaning of the sentence.
b this is incorrect as the word 'after' changes the meaning of the sentence.
c this is incorrect as the sentence changes the meaning of the text.

8 According to the passage, which of the following is true?

• The Agricultural Revolution occurred due to climate change favouring the cultivation of plants.
• The Agricultural Revolution occurred due to the development of tools and fertilizer.
• The Agricultural Revolution occurred due to the domestication of animals for agriculture.
• The Agricultural Revolution occurred due to foraging and food development techniques being improved.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered

a is the correct answer because it is stated in the first paragraph, lines 1 to 3.

b this is incorrect as tools were only one element in the development of agriculture.
c this is incorrect as animal breeding was only one other element in the development of agriculture, not the primary reason for its development.
d this is incorrect as these techniques were element but not the primary source of development of agriculture.

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

Due to the geographical isolation of the Americas, domestic species could not be borrowed from anywhere else.

 

█ [A] Prior to 3000 BC, domestic animals began to evolve from wilder species, such as cattle, donkeys, buffalo and Zebuo in India, horse and camels as well as chickens and pigs. █ [B] Tamed animals became vital for the agricultural cycle of grain farmers. █ [C] In America, llamas provide meat and wool; turkeys and guinea pigs provided meat. █ [D] .

• [A]
• [B]
• [C]
• [D]

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 1 point.

Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered

d is correct because it is supported by the previous sentence (C). The words 'anywhere else' refer to anywhere outside of 'America'.

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.

 

It is believed that due to climate change, people moved from animal hunting to gathering and agriculture.

• B. Farmers learned to improve fertility by alternating grains and pulses.
• C. Thanks to the clearing of forests, more farming developed in Central Europe after 4000BC.
• E. Agriculture helped progress the human population.

 

• A. Crop cultivation and animal breeding occurred as far back as 8000BC.
• B. Farmers learned to improve fertility by alternating grains and pulses.
• C. Thanks to the clearing of forests, more farming developed in Central Europe after 4000BC.
• D. Wheat and Barley were early domestic crops in The Middle East.
• E. Agriculture helped progress the human population.
• F. Due to a warm, wet climate, rice was first cultivated in China.

ANSWER EXPLANATION

Question is worth: 2 points.

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

B,C and E are the correct answers because there is evidence in the passage supporting each point

B> Paragraphs 3, lines 2 to 3.
C> Paragraph 4, lines 4 to 8.
E> Paragraph 7, lines 1 to 3.

A. This point is inaccurate.
D. It is a minor fact. Only the main points that push the narrative of the summary are correct answers.
F. There no evidence in the passage about a warm and wet climate.