Admission Test

Passage · Time: 10 minutes

Time Left 10:00

Archaeologists discover evidence of prehistoric island settlers

Roughly 11,700 years ago, as the most recent ice age ended, the climate became significantly warmer and wetter, no doubt making Obi's jungle much thicker. According to the researchers, it is no coincidence that around this time the first axes crafted from stone rather than sea shells appear, likely in response to their heavy-duty use for clearing and modification of the increasingly dense rainforest. While stone takes about twice as long to grind into an axe compared to shell, the harder material keeps its sharp edge for longer.

Judging by the bones which the researchers unearthed in the Kelo caves, people living there mainly hunted the Rothschild's cuscus, a possum-like creature that still lives on Obi today.

Questions 1–3: Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage? Write:
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this

1. A change in the climate around 11,700 years ago had a greater impact on Obi than on the surrounding islands.(optional)

2. The researchers believe there is a connection between warmer, wetter weather and a change in the material used to make axes.(optional)

3. Shipton's team were surprised to find evidence of the Obi islanders' hunting practices.(optional)

Questions 4–5: Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.

– axes from around 14,000 years ago, probably used to make canoes
– axes made out of 4 ______________ dating from around 11,700 years ago(optional)

5 ______________ of an animal: evidence of what ancient islanders ate
– evidence of travel between islands:(optional)

My Notes