The People of Patagonia
Read The People of Patagonia and check the IELTS Reading answers. Anthropologists continue to investigate human migration to Patagonia at the southern tip of South America. The human settlement of the southern extremity of the Americas has always fascinated pre-historians. Viewed from a global pers…
Passage preview
Anthropologists continue to investigate human migration to Patagonia at the southern tip of South America. The human settlement of the southern extremity of the Americas has always fascinated pre-historians. Viewed from a global perspective, this was the last major continental land mass to be reached by human beings. The earliest occupation of Patagonia carries obvious implications for understanding when the North and South American continents were peopled, because it gives a baseline that all calculations regarding the rate of dispersion of humans throughout both continents must take into account.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- extrapolate verb
To infer or estimate unknown information by projecting or extending known data and observed trends outwards.
Economists often extrapolate future market trends based on historical financial performances and current data.
- extremity noun
The furthest point, limit, or terminal boundary of a specific geographic area or physical structure.
Explanations of early human migration often focus on populations reaching the southern extremity of South America.
- fresh scrutiny noun
A renewed, detailed, and critical examination of a topic, theory, or body of scientific evidence.
The historic artifacts came under fresh scrutiny after advanced dating technologies became widely available.
- hypothetical adjective
Based on an assumption, conjecture, or theoretical possibility rather than verified empirical facts or direct evidence.
The researcher presented a hypothetical scenario to illustrate how economic models respond to unexpected crises.
- posited verb
Formally put forward, assumed, or advanced as a fact or baseline principle for an argument or theory.
The philosopher posited that human knowledge is primarily derived from empirical sensory experiences.
- pristine environment noun
A completely natural area that remains entirely unspoiled, unpolluted, and undamaged by human intervention or development.
Strict environmental laws protect the pristine environment of the national park from industrial pollution.
- rate of dispersion noun
The velocity or spatial pattern at which a group, species, or language spreads across a territory.
Anthropologists calculated the rate of dispersion of early humans moving through the American continents.
- scant adjective
Barely sufficient, meager, or inadequate in quantity, availability, or extent to satisfy a specific requirement.
Due to scant historical records, details about the ancient civilization remain largely speculative.
- tenuous adjective
Very weak, slender, or fragile; lacking a sound basis or substantial strength in connection or argument.
The evidence supporting the initial hypothesis remains tenuous and requires further empirical validation.
- unsystematically adverb
Handled or conducted without an organized plan, consistent methodology, structured approach, or pre-established order.
Gathering research data unsystematically can introduce significant bias and compromise the study's validity.
Answers with explanations
- 27. C
The writer argues that understanding Patagonian settlement is crucial because it provides a baseline to calculate human migration across the entire **North and South American continents**. This highlights how it impacts research into the wider region.
- 28. C
The entire second paragraph focuses on detailing the **disagreements** and contrasting views held by different scholars regarding migration timelines. The purpose here is simply to **summarise a scholarly debate**.
- 29. A
The writer introduces the 'late' model specifically to contrast it with the increasingly supported 'early' model. By placing them side by side, the writer's goal is to **compare it with another theory** of migration.
- 30. D
The writer states the 'early' model is the most realistic because it allows time for migrants to adapt to **diverse natural habitats**. This means the model is more **consistent with the physical conditions** of the land they traveled through.
- 31. B
The late model proposed settlement around 8,000 years ago. The Monte Verde site reliably dates back 12,500 years, pushing back the timeline and providing **supporting evidence for relatively early settlement**.
- 32. NO
The statement claims the conditions were unique. However, the text explicitly says the environment was **similar to that of early post-glacial Europe**, proving it was not unique. Therefore, the statement is **NO**.
- 33. NOT GIVEN
While the passage mentions that settlement in the high country was 'tenuous', it never provides details on what the migrants ate or whether they **hunted wild animals for food**. The answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 34. NO
The statement says archaeologists failed to draw conclusions. The passage directly contradicts this by stating they extracted **'reliable evidence from these sites to confirm the presence of humans'**, which is a clear conclusion. The answer is **NO**.
- 35. YES
The statement proposes that evidence can be moved by various ways. The text confirms this, pointing out that **floods or predators** can transport bones and deposit them in caves. This supports the statement, so it is **YES**.
- 36. D
The summary needs a description of the state of the remains at Chinchihuapi Creek. The text notes that peat layers preserved the wood **remarkably well**, which corresponds best to option **D (good condition)**.
- 37. B
The text explains the samples from Los Toldos were taken **unsystematically** from different places, casting doubt on them. 'Unsystematically' translates perfectly to option **B (random collection)**.
- 38. C
The summary describes the relationship of the Arroyo Feo artefacts. The passage states they share the **same depth** and **same origins** as those at Los Toldos, which logically matches option **C (similar properties)**.
- 39. H
The passage notes there is no way of **securely relating** the animal remains at Las Buitreras to human occupation. A secure relation is synonymous with option **H (reliable connection)**.
- 40. J
The text states the findings from Cueva Fell are restricted to its **direct vicinity** (the area immediately surrounding it) and cannot be applied further afield. This directly matches option **J (immediate surroundings)**.