IELTS Reading Practice: Team Building (Full Analysis & Answers)

“Team Building” is more than just a modern business management term. The IELTS Reading passage “Team Building” takes us back 3,500 years to explore a fascinating hypothesis: Could it be that ancient monumental structures were not built to worship gods, but were actually massive “team building” exercises designed to help humanity survive?

This article by ECE English provides a translation, in-depth vocabulary analysis, and, most importantly, detailed explanations for every question to help you gain a deep understanding and conquer this academic reading passage.

Reading Passage

TEAM BUILDING

A. At Poverty Point in the US state of Louisiana, a remarkable monument overlooks the Mississippi river. Built around 3,500 years ago entirely from earth, it consists of six semi-circular ridges and five mounds. ‘Mound A’, as archaeologists refer to it, is the largest at 22 metres high. The earth mounds at Poverty Point are not just impressive, they are also intriguing. Ancient monuments have always been regarded as products of large, hierarchical societies, built as tributes to gods and kings. But the creators of the Poverty Point monument were hunter-gatherers, who functioned in a more democratic way. They may have looked to elders for guidance, but these would not have exerted a commanding influence over their small groups. So who, or what, motivated building on such a grand scale?

B. Archaeologists have been excavating Poverty Point for more than a century. However, the truly remarkable nature of Mound A only emerged a few years ago. This was when a team led by Tristram Kidder of Washington University drilled into the mound. They saw for the first time that it consisted of neat layers of differently coloured earth. It rains a lot around Poverty Point, and we know that fluctuations in temperature and increased flooding eventually led to its abandonment. But Kidder could see no sign that the layers had combined as you might expect if it had rained during construction. Kidder reached a startling conclusion: Mound A must have been built in one short period, perhaps in as little as 30 days, and probably no more than 90.

C. Mound A contains nearly 240,000 cubic metres of earth; the equivalent of 32,000 truckloads. There were no trucks, of course, nor any other heavy machinery, animals like mules to carry the earth, or wheelbarrows. Assuming it did take 90 days, Kidder’s group calculated that around 3,000 bucket-carrying individuals would have been needed to get the job done. Given that people probably travelled in family groups, as many as 9,000 people may have assembled at Poverty Point during construction. ‘If that’s true, it was an extraordinarily large gathering,’ says Kidder. Why would they have chosen to do this?

D. Another archaeologist, Carl Lipo, thinks he has the answer: the same reason that the people of Easter Island built their famous stone heads. When Lipo first went to Easter Island, the prevailing idea was that the enormous statues had been rolled into place using logs, and the resulting deforestation contributed to the human population’s collapse. But Lipo and fellow archaeologist Terry Hunt showed the statues could have been ‘walked’ upright into place by cooperating bands of people using ropes, with no need for trees. They argue further that by making statues, people’s energy was directed into peaceful interactions and information-sharing. They ceased crafting statues, Lipo claims, precisely because daily existence became less of a challenge, and it was no longer so important that they work together.

E. An ancient temple known as Gobekli Tepe in south-east Turkey is another site where a giant team-building project might have taken place. Since excavations started, archaeologists have uncovered nine enclosures formed of massive stone pillars. Given the vast size of these pillars, a considerable workforce would have been needed to move them. But what archaeologists have also discovered is that every so often the workers filled in the enclosures with broken rock and built new ones. The apparent disposability of these monuments makes sense if the main aim was building a team rather than a lasting structure. Indeed, the many bones from animals such as gazelle found in the filled-in enclosures suggest people held feasts to celebrate the end of collaborative effort.

F. A number of researchers share Lipo’s view that the need to cooperate is what drove monument makers. But as you might expect when a major shift in thinking is proposed, not everyone goes along with it. The sceptics include Tristram Kidder. For him, the interesting question is not ‘Did cooperative building promote group survival’ but ‘What did the builders think they were doing?’ All human behaviour comes down to a pursuit of food and self-preservation, he says. As for why people came to Poverty Point, he and his colleagues have suggested it was a pilgrimage site.

G. If Lipo is right, have we in any way inherited our ancestor’s tendency to work together for the sake of social harmony? Evolutionary biologist David Sloan Wilson thinks we have. Wilson cites the Burning Man festival, promoted as an experiment in community and art, which draws thousands of people to Nevada’s Black Rock Desert each summer. Among the ten principles laid down by co-founder Larry Harvey are ‘inclusion’ and ‘community effort’. Another is ‘leaving no trace’, meaning that whatever festival-goers create they destroy before departing. In this way, the desert landscape is only temporarily disturbed. Wilson says there is evidence that such cooperative ventures matter more today than ever because we are dependent on a wider range of people than our ancestors were. Food, education, security: all are provided by people beyond our family group. Recently, as part of his Neighbourhood Project in Binghamton, Wilson and his colleagues helped locals create their own parks. ‘This brought people together and enabled them to cooperate in numerous other contexts,’ he explains. This included helping with repairs after a series of floods in 2011. Social psychologist Susan Fiske of Princeton University also sees value in community projects. Her research shows, for example, that they can help break down the ill-informed views that people hold towards others they have observed but do not usually interact with. So if modern projects really help build better communities, that will surely be a monumental achievement.

Questions 27 – 32:

Do the following statements agree with the claims of the writer of the Reading Passage? In boxes 27-32 on your answer sheet, write:

• YES               If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer
• NO                 If the statement contradicts the claims of the writer
• NOT GIVEN If it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this

27. The whole monument at Poverty Point was made out of earth.
28. The monument at Poverty Point was the first of its kind to be built in the US.
29. Agatha Christie and James M. Cain admired each other’s writing.
30. The older members of the tribes at Poverty Point had great power over their people.
31. Tristram Kidder’s work at Mound A revealed something previously unknown to researchers.
32. A change in weather patterns forced people living around the Poverty Point monument to move away.

Questions 33 – 36:

Choose the correct letter; A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter in boxes 33 – 36 on your answer sheet.

33. The writer refers to trucks, mules and wheelbarrows in order to

A. highlight the technical ability of the Poverty Point inhabitants.

B. emphasise the number of workers required to build the mound.

C. question the logic of choosing Poverty Point as a place for construction.

D. challenge the idea that the mound could have been made so quickly.

34. Archaeologist Carl Lipo’s research at Easter Island has led him to believe that

A. people had to cut down trees in order to transport larger statues.

B. remote communities faced greater environmental challenges than other societies.

C. islanders stopped making statues when their lives became easier.

D. methods of making the statues varied amongst different groups.

35. According to the writer, excavations at Gobekli Tepe suggest that

A. there was disagreement between groups over the temple’s design.

B. human occupation drove certain animal populations into decline.

C. each of the enclosures that were built served a different purpose.

D. the builders had no intention of creating permanent structures.

36. In the sixth paragraph, what are we told about Tristram Kidder?

A. He feels the academic community should support Carl Lipo’s theory.

B. He has changed his mind about the purpose of the Poverty Point monument.

C. He doubts that Carl Lipo has identified the key reason for monument making.

D. He believes that most people recognise the need to help each other to survive.

Questions 37 – 40:

Complete the summary using the list of words, A-I, below.

Write the correct letter, A-I, in boxes 37-40 on your answer sheet.

Examples of cooperation in modern times

David Wilson believes that events such as the Burning Man festival encourage social harmony. For example, participants in the festival cooperate so 37………. won’t permanently affect the desert environment. In Wilson’s opinion, cooperation is especially important today because we now rely on many people for our 38……. Wilson points to how community projects such as park creation can lead to improved group efforts in 39………. Psychologist Susan Fiske has also shown how 40…….. can change when community projects encourage interaction between strangers.

List of words:

A. basic needs
B. different generations
C. new infrastructure
D. human activities
E. negative impressions
F. emergency situations
G. commercial advertising
H. economic growth
I. ethical standards

Summary of the Reading Passage

This passage explores a new hypothesis regarding the purpose of giant ancient structures.

• Context: It begins with the Poverty Point monument (US), a 3,500-year-old structure built by hunter-gatherers (who lacked a social hierarchy). This challenges the traditional hypothesis that large structures were only built by hierarchical societies (kings, rulers).
• Findings: Archaeologist Tristram Kidder discovered that this structure was built extremely quickly (in 30-90 days), requiring a massive workforce (3,000 – 9,000 people) to cooperate.
• Main Hypothesis (Carl Lipo): Archaeologist Carl Lipo proposes that the purpose of these structures (such as the Easter Island statues or the Gobekli Tepe temple) was not to create an object, but the process of building itself. This was an ancient “team building” activity, helping humans cooperate for social harmony and information sharing. They stopped building when life became easier and close cooperation was no longer necessary.
• Counter-perspective (Tristram Kidder): Kidder is skeptical of this hypothesis, arguing that human behavior always stems from basic needs (food, survival) and that Poverty Point may have been a pilgrimage site.
• Modern Application (David Wilson & Susan Fiske): The article concludes by relating this to the present day. Scientists argue that this instinct for cooperation remains vital, as seen in festivals (Burning Man) or community projects (flood relief). These projects help break down negative prejudices and build better communities.

Vocabulary & Structures

1. Hierarchical (adj) /ˌhaɪəˈrɑː.kɪ.kəl/ (Paragraph A): Relating to a system of rank or class.
   • Explanation: A crucial Band 7+ vocabulary word for describing social or organizational structures (companies, military).
   • Example: “Ancient monuments have always been regarded as products of large, hierarchical societies…”
2. Intriguing (adj) /ɪnˈtriː.ɡɪŋ/ (Paragraph A): Fascinating, curiosity-inducing.
   • Explanation: Used to describe an idea, question, or problem that is interesting and mysterious.
   • Example: “The earth mounds… are not just impressive, they are also intriguing.”
3. Startling (adj) /ˈstɑː.təlɪŋ/ (Paragraph B): Surprising, astonishing.
   • Explanation: Used to emphasize an unexpected conclusion or discovery.
   • Example: “Kidder reached a startling conclusion: Mound A must have been built in one short period…”
4. Prevailing (adj) /prɪˈveɪ.lɪŋ/ (Paragraph D): Current, dominant.
   • Explanation: Used to describe an idea or opinion that is popular at a specific time.
   • Example: “…the prevailing idea was that the enormous statue had been rolled into place using logs…”
5. Disposability (n) /dɪˌspəʊ.zəˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (Paragraph E): The quality of being intended for one-time use.
   • Explanation: A highly academic noun. Here, it refers to the fact that the structures were seemingly built to be dismantled.
   • Example: “The apparent disposability of these monuments makes sense if the main aim was building a team…”
6. Sceptics (n) /ˈskep.tɪks/ (Paragraph F): People who doubt.
   • Explanation: A great word to use in Writing Task 2 when presenting opposing views.
   • Example: “The sceptics include Tristram Kidder.”
7. Pilgrimage (n) /ˈpɪl.ɡrɪ.mɪdʒ/ (Paragraph F): A journey to a sacred place.
   • Explanation: An important topic-specific vocabulary word related to travel and religion.
   • Example: “…he and his colleagues have suggested it was a pilgrimage site.”
8. Cooperative ventures (n.p) (Paragraph G): Collaborative projects/efforts.
   • Explanation: A useful noun phrase to describe group activities.
   • Example: “…evidence that such cooperative ventures matter more today than ever…”

Answer Key and Detailed Explanations

27. YES

• Question: The whole monument at Poverty Point was made out of earth.
• Evidence (Paragraph A): “Built around 3,500 years ago entirely from earth…”
• Explanation: “Entirely from earth” is synonymous with “The whole monument… was made out of earth.”

28. NOT GIVEN

• Question: The monument at Poverty Point was the first of its kind to be built in the US.
• Explanation: The passage describes the monument as “remarkable” but does not mention whether it was the “first” of its kind in the US.

29. NOT GIVEN

• Question: Agatha Christie and James M. Cain admired each other’s writing.
• Explanation: This is a distractor. The names “Agatha Christie” and “James M. Cain” are not mentioned in the passage at all.

30. NO

• Question: The older members of the tribes at Poverty Point had great power over their people.
• Evidence (Paragraph A): “They may have looked to elders for guidance, but these would not have exerted a commanding influence over their small groups.”
• Explanation: “Would not have exerted a commanding influence” contradicts “had great power.” Therefore, the answer is NO.

31. YES

• Question: Tristram Kidder’s work at Mound A revealed something previously unknown to researchers.
• Evidence (Paragraph B): “This was when a team led by Tristram Kidder… They saw for the first time that it consisted of neat layers of differently coloured earth.”
• Explanation: “Saw for the first time” means this was “previously unknown.”

32. YES

• Question: A change in weather patterns forced people living around the Poverty Point monument to move away.
• Evidence (Paragraph B): “…we know that fluctuations in temperature and increased flooding [a change in weather patterns] eventually led to its abandonment [forced people… to move away].”
• Explanation: Temperature fluctuations and flooding (weather changes) led to “abandonment,” meaning people had to leave.

33. B – emphasise the number of workers required to build the mound.

• Evidence (Paragraph C): “There were no trucks… nor any other heavy machinery… Kidder’s group calculated that around 3,000 bucket-carrying individuals would have been needed…”
• Explanation: The author lists the lack of modern machinery to highlight the need for a massive number of people (3,000) to complete the work.

34. C – islanders stopped making statues when their lives became easier.

• Evidence (Paragraph D): “They ceased crafting statues, Lipo claims, precisely because daily existence became less of a challenge [easier], and it was no longer so important that they work together.”
• Explanation: They “ceased crafting statues” because life became “less of a challenge,” i.e., easier.

35. D – the builders had no intention of creating permanent structures.

• Evidence (Paragraph E): “The apparent disposability of these monuments makes sense if the main aim was building a team rather than a lasting structure [permanent structure].”
• Explanation: “Disposability” and “lasting structure” indicate that the builders had “no intention” of creating permanent monuments.

36. C – He doubts that Carl Lipo has identified the key reason for monument making.

• Evidence (Paragraph F): “The sceptics include Tristram Kidder. For him, the interesting question is not ‘Did cooperative building promote group survival’ but ‘What did the builders think they were doing?’”
• Explanation: Kidder is a “sceptic” and asks a different question than Lipo, showing he “doubts” Lipo has found the key reason.

37. D – human activities

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “Another is ‘leaving no trace’, meaning that whatever festival-goers create they destroy before departing.”
• Explanation: What festival-goers create and then destroy are “human activities.” They do this so these activities do not permanently affect the desert.

38. A – basic needs

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “…we are dependent on a wider range of people… Food, education, security: all are provided by people beyond our family group.”
• Explanation: “Food, education, security” are typical examples of “basic needs.”

39. F – emergency situations

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “This included helping with repairs after a series of floods in 2011.”
• Explanation: Floods are a clear example of “emergency situations.”

40. E – negative impressions

• Evidence (Paragraph G): “…they can help break down the ill-informed views that people hold towards others…”
• Explanation: “Ill-informed views” is synonymous with “negative impressions.”