The mystery of Easter Island
Read The mystery of Easter Island and check the IELTS Reading answers. The giant stone statues of Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean have perplexed archaeologists ever since European explorers first witnessed them three centuries ago. Jacob Roggeveen, the Dutch seaman who gave the island its name i…
Passage preview
The giant stone statues of Easter Island in the Pacific Ocean have perplexed archaeologists ever since European explorers first witnessed them three centuries ago. Jacob Roggeveen, the Dutch seaman who gave the island its name in 1722, was amazed by the statues, each of which clearly weighed several tonnes. But as there were no forests on the island, he could not comprehend how people devoid of heavy timber could build and erect something that size. It was also remarkable considering the absence of metal objects for carving and cutting, and the reliance on mere human strength as no draught animals could be seen either. Roggeveen was equally amazed as to how the islanders could have come to colonise such a remote place. Their canoes were leaky and frail, not the sort of ocean-going craft that could survive a three-week sea journey. At the time of his visit, it seemed evident the islanders were living in extremely poor conditions and that there was no cultivation of crops.
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- devoid of adjective
Entirely lacking or free from; being without a particular quality, substance, or essential resource
The explorers were surprised to find a land nearly devoid of heavy timber, given the massive monuments.
- draught animals noun
Animals used for pulling heavy loads, such as oxen or horses, in agriculture or large-scale construction
The islanders relied solely on human strength, as there were no draught animals available for heavy labor.
- environmental degradation noun
The deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water, soil, and habitat destruction
Researchers debate whether the island's environmental degradation was caused by humans or invasive species like rats.
- germinate verb
The biological process by which a plant grows from a seed; to begin to grow and develop
The palm seeds were unable to germinate because they had been gnawed by rats, leading to deforestation.
- implausible adjective
Not seeming reasonable or probable; failing to convince because it is highly unlikely to be true
Some scientists argue that such a rapid population collapse was implausible given the revised carbon-dating evidence.
- indigenous adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific region or environment
The slave trade caused a catastrophic decline in the island's indigenous population during the eighteenth century.
- indisputable fact noun
A piece of information that is unquestionably true and cannot be challenged or denied with valid evidence
It is an indisputable fact that rats reached the island, though their exact arrival remains a mystery.
- material splendour noun
The possession of impressive and magnificent physical objects or buildings as a sign of wealth and success
Some scholars argue the environmental collapse was caused by a competitive lust for material splendour among clans.
- perplexed adjective
Completely baffled or puzzled; feeling confused because something is extremely difficult to understand or explain
Archaeologists remain perplexed by the presence of massive stone statues on such a remote, treeless island.
- radio-carbon dating noun
A scientific method for determining the age of an object containing organic material by using carbon isotopes
Radio-carbon dating provided researchers with a timeline for the arrival of the first settlers on the island.
- refute verb
To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false; to disprove an argument with evidence
The geologist used sedimentological data to refute the claims that the island was always a treeless landscape.
Answers with explanations
- 27. D
The text states Roggeveen wondered how they built statues without **"heavy timber"** because there were no forests. Timber means **wood**, so option **D** is correct.
- 28. C
Roggeveen observed that their **canoes** (which are **boats**) were leaky and frail. This matches option **C**.
- 29. A
The text says the islanders lived in **"extremely poor conditions,"** which is synonymous with **poverty**, matching option **A**.
- 30. B
The text mentions there was no **"cultivation of crops,"** which is another way of saying there was no successful **agriculture**, making **B** the correct answer.
- 31. YES
The statement claims von Däniken's claims were **briefly accepted**. The passage confirms his theory **"appealed for a short period of time"** to certain people. Thus, it is **YES**.
- 32. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims archaeologists removed valuable artefacts. The passage mentions archaeologists studying the island, but it contains **no information** about them removing artefacts. The answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 33. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims smallpox affected inhabitants **for centuries**. The text states smallpox killed people, but gives **no information** on whether it continued for centuries. Therefore, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 34. NO
The statement suggests it is **open to question** whether the island had forests. The text explicitly says there is **"no doubt"** it was covered in palm trees. This is a direct contradiction, making the answer **NO**.
- 35. YES
The statement claims how rats arrived is **still to be established**. The text agrees, noting that **"exactly how is a matter of debate,"** making the answer **YES**.
- 36. C
Diamond blames deforestation on the need to **"move the statues"** and for their **"transport alone."** This corresponds with Option **C: A method of transportation**, as the trees were cut specifically to move the stones.
- 37. B
Hunt and Lipo argue that colonization happened **"about 400 years later than other scientists have suggested."** This directly matches Option **B**, stating the first settlers arrived **much later** than widely accepted.
- 38. A
The text explains that rats gnawed on palm seed shells, making them unable to germinate, which means they **"played a part"** in deforestation. This supports Option **A**, that they were a **likely cause of deforestation**.
- 39. A
Flenley **"refutes the arguments"** and claims Hunt and Lipo are **ignoring evidence**. This aggressive stance shows he is completely **dismissing** their theory, which points to Option **A**.
- 40. B
Throughout the text, the writer presents the views of Roggeveen, von Däniken, Diamond, Hunt, Lipo, and Flenley. The goal is clearly to **provide an overview of a series of arguments** regarding the island's collapse, making Option **B** correct.