Traditional Maori Medicine
Read Traditional Maori Medicine and check the IELTS Reading answers. The Maori are the indigenous people of the islands of New Zealand. Their traditional medicine, which is believed to date back as far as the 13th century, was a system of healing that was passed down through the generations orally.…
Passage preview
The Maori are the indigenous people of the islands of New Zealand. Their traditional medicine, which is believed to date back as far as the 13th century, was a system of healing that was passed down through the generations orally. It comprised diverse practices and placed an emphasis on the spiritual dimension of health. Its practice included remedies made from herbs, and physical therapies such as massage to relieve discomfort in the muscles and bones.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- anatomy noun
The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other living organisms
Medical students must master human anatomy before they can effectively diagnose complex physical diseases.
- attribute verb
To regard something as being caused by someone or something; to assign credit for an outcome
Historians attribute the rapid decline of the local population to the introduction of foreign diseases.
- common ailment noun
A minor illness or health disorder that occurs frequently within a specific population or demographic
The herbal remedy is frequently used to treat a common ailment such as seasonal influenza.
- incorporate verb
To take in or contain something as part of a whole; to include or combine systematically
Modern urban clinics increasingly incorporate holistic therapies alongside standard mainstream medical treatments.
- indigenous adjective
Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native to a specific region or environment
The researcher sought to incorporate indigenous knowledge into the modern ecological conservation strategy.
- ineffectual adjective
Not producing any significant or desired effect; lacking the ability to cope with a role or situation
The initial treatments proved ineffectual against the new viral strain that was sweeping through the community.
- resurgence noun
An increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence
There has been a recent resurgence of interest in traditional medicinal practices among younger generations.
- rigorous adjective
Extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate; strictly applied or adhered to without deviation
The scientist subjected the samples to a rigorous testing process to ensure the accuracy of the data.
- spiritual dimension noun
An aspect of existence relating to the human spirit or soul as opposed to material things
Many patients find comfort in treatments that acknowledge the spiritual dimension of their healing process.
- widespread agreement noun
A general consensus or shared opinion reached by a large number of people or groups
There is widespread agreement among experts that early intervention improves long-term patient outcomes.
Answers with explanations
- 1. FALSE
The text states that traditional Maori medicine was "passed down through the generations orally." The word "orally" means by word of mouth, which contradicts the statement that they learned through "studying written texts." Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The text mentions the average age of death for Maori adults when Europeans arrived. However, it does not state whether the Europeans were "surprised" by this or not. Since there is no information about the Europeans' reaction, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: Mississippi
2: The text mentions the average age of death for Maori adults when Europeans arrived. However, it does not state whether the Europeans were "surprised" by this or not. Since there is no information about the Europeans' reaction, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
3: The text explains that there were two types of diseases: "diseases of the gods" and "physical diseases." While it describes both types, it does not compare them to say which was "more serious." Thus, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 3. NOT GIVEN
The text explains that there were two types of diseases: "diseases of the gods" and "physical diseases." While it describes both types, it does not compare them to say which was "more serious." Thus, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
- 3-4: less tough
3: The text explains that there were two types of diseases: "diseases of the gods" and "physical diseases." While it describes both types, it does not compare them to say which was "more serious." Thus, the statement is NOT GIVEN.
4: The text refers to the "pepper tree" in the preceding sentence. It then states that people with "toothache" would "chew the leaves of this same tree." This directly supports the statement that the leaves of the pepper tree were used to treat toothache. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The text refers to the "pepper tree" in the preceding sentence. It then states that people with "toothache" would "chew the leaves of this same tree." This directly supports the statement that the leaves of the pepper tree were used to treat toothache. Therefore, the statement is TRUE.
- 5. TRUE
The text explains that as Maori turned to "Christianity" (a Western religion), the tradition of the Maori healer "declined." This confirms that Western religion played a role in making traditional Maori medicine less popular, making the statement TRUE.
- 6. FALSE
The text states that among modern-day healers, there is "no standard system of diagnosis or widespread agreement about treatments." This contradicts the statement that they "often reach the same conclusion about the type of treatment which is best." Therefore, the statement is FALSE.
- 7. rule
The notes look for something that was disobeyed to cause diseases sent from the gods. The text explains that these diseases were attributed to evil spirits "because the person had broken a religious rule." "Broken" matches "disobeying" and "religious" matches "spiritual." The correct noun is "rule."
- 8. river
The notes need a location that was considered sacred and from which eating food caused sickness. The text provides an example: "if someone took food from a river where someone had died." Thus, "river" is the correct answer.
- 9. confidence
The notes ask what the Maori people lost in their healers due to their inability to cure new diseases. The text states that this failure "strongly affected Maori confidence in their healers." The word "affected" in this negative context aligns with "lost," making "confidence" the correct answer.
- 10. schools
The notes refer to something that "began shutting down." The text states that "the schools of higher learning which had trained healers started to close." "Started to close" matches "began shutting down," making "schools" the appropriate answer.
- 11. statistics
The notes mention something published in the 1970s that showed Maori health was poorer. The text says that "statistics from the 1970s came out revealing that Maori health continued to be poorer." "Came out" aligns with "published," leading to the answer "statistics."
- 12. clinics
The notes ask where Maori healers work with Western doctors in cities. The text states that they work "in urban clinics, some alongside mainstream health professionals." "Urban" matches "cities," and "mainstream health professionals" refers to "Western doctors." The correct location is "clinics."
- 13. language
The notes state that patients appreciate a particular aspect used by healers. The text mentions that "The Maori language is also seen as important by many of those receiving treatment." "Those receiving treatment" refers to "patients," and "seen as important" matches "appreciate." The correct answer is "language."