Stonehenge, the massive ancient stone circle on the Salisbury Plain, is one of the most iconic and mysterious monuments on the planet. It is no surprise that it has become a staple topic in IELTS Reading exams, challenging students to test their comprehension and analytical skills regarding historical hypotheses.
This ECE guide will walk you through the “Stonehenge” reading passage step-by-step—from vocabulary analysis to detailed explanations for every question—helping you gain a deeper understanding and master this type of reading task.
Reading Passage
Stonehenge
A. For centuries, historians and archaeologists have puzzled over the many mysteries of Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument that took an estimated 1,500 years to erect. Located on Salisbury Plain in southern England, it is comprised of roughly 100 massive upright stones placed in a circular layout.
B. Archaeologists believe England’s most iconic prehistoric ruin was built in several stages with the earliest constructed 5,000 or more years ago. First, Neolithic* Britons used primitive tools, which may have been fashioned out of deer antlers, to dig a massive circular ditch and bank, or henge. Deep pits dating back to that era and located within the circle may have once held a ring of timber posts, according to some scholars.
C. Several hundred years later, it is thought, Stonehenge’s builders hoisted an estimated 80 bluestones, 43 of which remain today, into standing positions and placed them in either a horseshoe or circular formation. These stones have been traced all the way to the Preseli Hills in Wales, some 300 kilometres from Stonehenge. How, then, did prehistoric builders without sophisticated tools or engineering haul these boulders, which weigh up to four tons, over such a great distance?
D. According to one long-standing theory among archaeologists, Stonehenge’s builders fashioned sledges and rollers out of tree trunks to lug the bluestones from the Preseli Hills. They then transferred the boulders onto rafts and floated them first along the Welsh coast and then up the River Avon toward Salisbury Plain; alternatively, they may have towed each stone with a fleet of vessels. More recent archaeological hypotheses have them transporting the bluestones with supersized wicker baskets on a combination of ball bearings and long grooved planks, hauled by oxen.
E. As early as the 1970s, geologists have been adding their voices to the debate over how Stonehenge came into being. Challenging the classic image of industrious builders pushing, carting, rolling or hauling giant stones from faraway Wales, some scientists have suggested that it was glaciers, not humans, that carried the bluestones to Salisbury Plain. Most archaeologists have remained sceptical about this theory, however, wondering how the forces of nature could possibly have delivered the exact number of stones needed to complete the circle.
F. The third phase of construction took place around 2000 BCE. At this point, sandstone slabs -known as ‘sarsens’-were arranged into an outer crescent or ring; some were assembled into the iconic three-pieced structures called trilithons that stand tall in the centre of Stonehenge. Some 50 of these stones are now visible on the site, which may once have contained many more. Radiocarbon dating has revealed that work continued at Stonehenge until roughly 1600 BCE, with the bluestones in particular being repositioned multiple times.
G. But who were the builders of Stonehenge? In the 17th century, archaeologist John Aubrey made the claim that Stonehenge was the work of druids, who had important religious, judicial and political roles in Celtic** society. This theory was widely popularized by the antiquarian William Stukeley, who had unearthed primitive graves at the site. Even today, people who identify as modern druids continue to gather at Stonehenge for the summer solstice. However, in the mid-20th century, radiocarbon dating demonstrated that Stonehenge stood more than 1,000 years before the Celts inhabited the region.
H. Many modern historians and archaeologists now agree that several distinct tribes of people contributed to Stonehenge, each undertaking a different phase of its construction. Bones, tools and other artefacts found on the site seem to support this hypothesis. The first stage was achieved by Neolithic agrarians who were likely to have been indigenous to the British Isles. Later, it is believed, groups with advanced tools and a more communal way of life left their mark on the site. Some believe that they were immigrants from the European continent, while others maintain that they were probably native Britons, descended from the original builders.
I. If the facts surrounding the architects and construction of Stonehenge remain shadowy at best, the purpose of the striking monument is even more of a mystery. While there is consensus among the majority of modern scholars that Stonehenge once served the function of burial ground, they have yet to determine what other purposes it had.
J. In the 1960s, the astronomer Gerald Hawkins suggested that the cluster of megalithic stones operated as a form of calendar, with different points corresponding to astrological phenomena such as solstices, equinoxes and eclipses occurring at different times of the year. While his theory has received a considerable amount of attention over the decades, critics maintain that Stonehenge’s builders probably lacked the knowledge necessary to predict such events or that England’s dense cloud cover would have obscured their view of the skies.
K. More recently, signs of illness and injury in the human remains unearthed at Stonehenge led a group of British archaeologists to speculate that it was considered a place of healing, perhaps because bluestones were thought to have curative powers.
Questions 1 – 8
Complete the notes below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS from the passage for each answer.
Stonehenge
Construction
- Stage 1:
- the ditch and henge were dug, possibly using tools made from 1 …………….
- 2 ……………. may have been arranged in deep pits inside the circle
- Stage 2:
- bluestones from the Preseli Hills were placed in standing position
- theories about the transportation of the bluestones:
- archaeological:
- builders used 3 ……………. to make sledges and rollers
- 4 ……………. pulled them on giant baskets
- geological:
- they were brought from Wales by 5 …………….
- archaeological:
- Stage 3:
- sandstone slabs were arranged into an outer crescent or ring
Builders
- a theory arose in the 17th century that its builders were Celtic 6 …………….
Purpose
- many experts agree it has been used as a 7 ……………. site
- in the 1960s, it was suggested that it worked as a kind of 8 …………….
Questions 9 – 13
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
9. During the third phase of construction, sandstone slabs were placed in both the outer areas and the middle of the Stonehenge site.
10. There is scientific proof that the bluestones stood in the same spot until approximately 1600 BCE.
11. John Aubrey’s claim about Stonehenge was supported by 20th-century findings.
12. Objects discovered at Stonehenge seem to indicate that it was constructed by a number of different groups of people.
13. Criticism of Gerald Hawkins’ theory about Stonehenge has come mainly from other astronomers.
Summary of the “Stonehenge” Reading Passage
This passage provides an overview of the mysteries surrounding the ancient Stonehenge monument, focusing on three major questions: How was it built? Who built it? And what was its purpose?
- Overview: Introduces Stonehenge as a 5,000-year-old monument that took 1,500 years to complete, consisting of massive stone blocks.
- Construction Process (3 stages):
- Stage 1: Neolithic people dug a circular ditch, likely using deer antlers.
- Stage 2: Transportation of 80 bluestones from Wales (300 km away).
- Stage 3: Erection of larger sandstone slabs (sarsens), forming an outer ring and central trilithons.
- Mystery 1: Transportation (How?): Various theories exist.
- Archaeological: Used rafts, tree-trunk rollers, or supersized wicker baskets pulled by oxen.
- Geological: Suggests they were carried by glaciers, though archaeologists remain skeptical.
- Mystery 2: The Builders (Who?):
- 17th Century: Attributed to Druids (of Celtic society), but later disproven by radiocarbon dating.
- Modern: Believed to be the work of several distinct tribes, including indigenous Neolithic people and possibly immigrant groups.
- Mystery 3: Purpose (Why?):
- Consensus: Served as a burial ground.
- 1960s (Hawkins): Proposed it functioned as an astronomical calendar. This theory faces criticism.
- Modern: Viewed as a place of healing, supported by evidence of illness in human remains.
Key Vocabulary
- erect (v) (Paragraph A): to build or construct (typically used for large structures).
- primitive tools (n.p) (Paragraph B): basic, early-stage tools.
- hoisted (v) (Paragraph C): to lift or pull something heavy into position.
- haul (v) (Paragraph C): to transport or pull something heavy with great effort.
- long-standing theory (n.p) (Paragraph D): a theory that has existed for a long time.
- sceptical (adj) (Paragraph E): doubtful; not easily convinced.
- Usage: “…remained sceptical about this theory…”
- indigenous (adj) (Paragraph H): native to a particular region.
- Example: “…likely to have been indigenous to the British Isles.”
- shadowy (adj) (Paragraph I): vague, unclear, or mysterious.
- Example: “…remain shadowy at best…” (remain very unclear).
- consensus (n) (Paragraph I): general agreement.
- Usage: “…there is consensus among the majority of modern scholars that…”
- speculate (v) (Paragraph K): to form a theory based on available evidence.
- curative (adj) (Paragraph K): having the power to heal.
- Example: “…bluestones were thought to have curative powers.”
Answer Key and Detailed Explanations
Questions 1 – 8 (Note Completion)
1. (deer) antlers
Location: Paragraph B
Evidence: “First, Neolithic* Britons used primitive tools, which may have been fashioned out of deer antlers, to dig a massive circular ditch…”
Explanation: The question asks for the material used for the tools. The text explicitly states these primitive tools may have been made from “deer antlers.”
2. timber posts
Location: Paragraph B
Evidence: “Deep pits… may have once held a ring of timber posts, according to some scholars.”
Explanation: The deep pits may have contained a ring of “timber posts.”
3. tree trunks
Location: Paragraph D
Evidence: “…Stonehenge’s builders fashioned sledges and rollers out of tree trunks to lug the bluestones…”
Explanation: The builders used “tree trunks” to create sledges and rollers.
4. oxen
Location: Paragraph D
Evidence: “…transporting the bluestones with supersized wicker baskets… hauled by oxen.”
Explanation: The question asks what pulled the baskets. “Hauled by” is synonymous with “pulled by.” The answer is “oxen.”
5. glaciers
Location: Paragraph E
Evidence: “…some scientists have suggested that it was glaciers, not humans, that carried the bluestones to Salisbury Plain.”
Explanation: The geological theory suggests that “glaciers” brought the stones.
6. druids
Location: Paragraph G
Evidence: “In the 17th century, archaeologist John Aubrey made the claim that Stonehenge was the work of druids, who had important religious… roles in Celtic society.”
Explanation: The 17th-century theory attributed the construction to the “druids.”
7. burial ground
Location: Paragraph I
Evidence: “…consensus among the majority of modern scholars that Stonehenge once served the function of burial ground…”
Explanation: Modern scholars agree it served as a “burial ground.”
8. calendar
Location: Paragraph J
Evidence: “…the astronomer Gerald Hawkins suggested that the cluster of megalithic stones operated as a form of calendar…”
Explanation: In the 1960s, it was suggested that it functioned as a “calendar.”
Questions 9 – 13 (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN)
9. TRUE
Question: During the third phase, sandstone slabs were placed in both the outer areas and the middle.
Evidence (Paragraph F): “…sandstone slabs… were arranged into an outer crescent or ring; some were assembled into the iconic… trilithons that stand tall in the centre of Stonehenge.”
Explanation: “Outer crescent or ring” and “centre” match the question’s “outer areas and the middle.”
10. FALSE
Question: There is scientific proof that the bluestones stood in the same spot until approximately 1600 BCE.
Evidence (Paragraph F): “…with the bluestones in particular being repositioned multiple times.”
Explanation: The fact that they were “repositioned multiple times” contradicts the idea that they stood in the same spot.
11. FALSE
Question: John Aubrey’s claim was supported by 20th-century findings.
Evidence (Paragraph G): “However, in the mid-20th century, radiocarbon dating demonstrated that Stonehenge stood more than 1,000 years before the Celts inhabited the region.”
Explanation: 20th-century findings (radiocarbon dating) disproved Aubrey’s claim, rather than supporting it.
12. TRUE
Question: Objects discovered at Stonehenge indicate it was constructed by different groups of people.
Evidence (Paragraph H): “Many modern historians… agree that several distinct tribes… contributed to Stonehenge… Bones, tools and other artefacts found on the site seem to support this hypothesis.”
Explanation: “Objects” corresponds to “bones, tools and other artefacts,” and the text confirms they support the hypothesis of multiple tribes.
13. NOT GIVEN
Question: Criticism of Gerald Hawkins’ theory has come mainly from other astronomers.
Evidence (Paragraph J): “While his theory has received a considerable amount of attention… critics maintain that Stonehenge’s builders probably lacked the knowledge…”
Explanation: The text mentions “critics,” but does not specify their professional background (e.g., whether they are astronomers, archaeologists, or historians).
Conclusion
The “Stonehenge” passage is a classic example of an academic reading text that blends history and science. It tests your ability to track chronological stages (Note Completion) and distinguish between various hypotheses (TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN). We hope this detailed analysis from ECE, particularly the breakdown of theories and their counter-evidence, helps you master these techniques and feel more confident when tackling complex archaeological topics.
Khai giảng Khóa học Hè cực HOT.
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