The disappearance of the Neanderthals and their relationship with the ancestors of modern humans remains one of the greatest mysteries in evolutionary history. The reading passage Neanderthals and Modern Humans focuses on recent breakthroughs in genetic analysis, debunking outdated theories and offering new insights into the interbreeding between the two species. Studying this passage helps learners become familiar with the Matching Information and Summary Completion question types in the IELTS Reading test. The following article from ECE provides a full translation, a vocabulary system, and detailed explanations to support your preparation.
Reading Passage
A. Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relatives, lived in Europe and Western Asia for hundreds of thousands of years. They were physically powerful, with heavy brows and stocky bodies adapted to the cold climates of the Ice Age. For a long time, the prevailing view among archaeologists and anthropologists was that Neanderthals were a separate species that died out without leaving any genetic trace in modern humans.
B. However, the story changed with the arrival of Homo sapiens—modern humans—who migrated out of Africa into Europe. For reasons which are as yet unknown, the arrival of Homo sapiens in a region was always quickly followed by the disappearance of Neanderthals. This coincidence has led to many theories, ranging from violent conflict and competition for resources to the idea that modern humans simply had better tools and social structures.
C. Beyond physical differences, researchers have looked at the cultural and technological output of both groups. While Neanderthals were skilled hunters and used fire, modern humans exhibited a more rapid development in tool-making and artistic expression. The comparison between the two often highlights how modern humans were able to adapt to changing environments more efficiently.
D. One of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years involves the study of ancient DNA. Previous genetic analysis, which had only examined DNA passed from mother to child in cellular structures called mitochondria, had suggested no interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans. The new, more extensive examination, which looks at DNA in the cell nucleus rather than in the mitochondria, shows this conclusion is wrong. Scientists now have evidence of crossbreeding between the two species.
E. This crossbreeding likely occurred shortly after modern humans left Africa and encountered Neanderthals in the Middle East. As a result, many people living outside of Africa today carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes. This discovery has forced a complete reassessment of our evolutionary history.
F. Further discoveries continue to complicate the human family tree. In a Siberian cave, researchers found a tiny fragment of a little-finger bone. Genetic testing revealed that this bone belonged to a previously unknown group of humans, now called Denisovans, who lived at the same time as Neanderthals and modern humans.
G. The study of human evolution is an ongoing process. As technology improves, we are able to look deeper into our past. Each new discovery, whether it be a fossil or a genetic sequence, adds a new layer of understanding to how we became the species we are today.
Questions
Questions 14-18
Look at the following characteristics (Questions 14-18) and the list of species below.
Match each feature with the correct species, A, B or C.
Write the correct letter, A, B or C in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.
NB. You may use any letter more than once.
14. Once lived in Europe and Asia.
15. Originated in Africa.
16. Did not survive long after the arrival of immigrants.
17. Interbred with another species.
18. Appears not to have passed on mitochondrial DNA to another species.
List of species
A. Homo neanderthalensis
B. Homo sapiens
C. both Homo neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens
Questions 19-23
Reading Passage 316 has seven paragraphs, A-G.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-G, in boxes 13-23 on your answer sheet.
19. an account of the rejection of a theory
20. reference to an unexplained link between two events
21. the identification of a skill-related gene common to both Neanderthals and modern humans
22. the announcement of a scientific breakthrough
23. an interesting gap in existing knowledge
Questions 24-26
Complete the summary below.
Choose NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage for each answer.
The nature of modern humans
Recent work in the field of evolutionary anthropology has made it possible to compare modern humans with other related species. Genetic analysis resulted in several new findings.
First, despite the length of time for which Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis had developed separately, 24 ……………… did take place.
Secondly, genes which evolved after modern humans split from Neanderthals are connected with cognitive ability and skeletal 25 ……………… .
The potential for this line of research to shed light on the nature of modern humans was further strengthened when analysis of a 26 ……………… led to the discovery of a new human species.
Full Reading Passage Translation
A. Neanderthals, our closest extinct human relatives, lived in Europe and Western Asia for hundreds of thousands of years. They were physically powerful, with heavy brows and stocky bodies adapted to the cold climates of the Ice Age. For a long time, the prevailing view among archaeologists and anthropologists was that Neanderthals were a separate species that died out without leaving any genetic trace in modern humans.
B. However, the story changed with the arrival of Homo sapiens—modern humans—who migrated out of Africa into Europe. For reasons which are as yet unknown, the arrival of Homo sapiens in a region was always quickly followed by the disappearance of Neanderthals. This coincidence has led to many theories, ranging from violent conflict and competition for resources to the idea that modern humans simply had better tools and social structures.
C. Beyond physical differences, researchers have looked at the cultural and technological output of both groups. While Neanderthals were skilled hunters and used fire, modern humans exhibited a more rapid development in tool-making and artistic expression. The comparison between the two often highlights how modern humans were able to adapt to changing environments more efficiently.
D. One of the most significant breakthroughs in recent years involves the study of ancient DNA. Previous genetic analysis, which had only examined DNA passed from mother to child in cellular structures called mitochondria, had suggested no interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans. The new, more extensive examination, which looks at DNA in the cell nucleus rather than in the mitochondria, shows this conclusion is wrong. Scientists now have evidence of crossbreeding between the two species.
E. This crossbreeding likely occurred shortly after modern humans left Africa and encountered Neanderthals in the Middle East. As a result, many people living outside of Africa today carry a small percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their genomes. This discovery has forced a complete reassessment of our evolutionary history.
F. Further discoveries continue to complicate the human family tree. In a Siberian cave, researchers found a tiny fragment of a little-finger bone. Genetic testing revealed that this bone belonged to a previously unknown group of humans, now called Denisovans, who lived at the same time as Neanderthals and modern humans.
G. The study of human evolution is an ongoing process. As technology improves, we are able to look deeper into our past. Each new discovery, whether it be a fossil or a genetic sequence, adds a new layer of understanding to how we became the species we are today.
Key Academic Vocabulary Summary
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Extinct (adj): No longer in existence.
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Archaeologist (n): A person who studies human history through excavation.
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Anthropologist (n): A person who studies human societies, cultures, and their development.
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Interbreeding / Crossbreeding (n): The act of mating between different species or varieties.
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Mitochondria (n): Organelles found in large numbers in most cells, responsible for energy production.
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Cell nucleus (n): The central part of a cell containing genetic material.
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Migrate (v): To move from one region or habitat to another.
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Coincidence (n): A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection.
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Adaptation (n): The process of becoming adjusted to an environment.
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Genetics (n): The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
Answer Key and Detailed Explanations
14. C (both): Paragraph A mentions Neanderthals lived in Europe and Asia. Paragraph C notes Homo sapiens also inhabited these same regions.
15. B (Homo sapiens): Based on the text (Paragraph B mentions the “arrival of Homo sapiens” – migrating from elsewhere, typically Africa).
16. A (Neanderthals): Paragraph B notes that the arrival of modern humans was followed by the disappearance of Neanderthals.
17. C (both): Paragraph C confirms that both species “interbred”.
18. A (Neanderthals): Paragraph D states that Neanderthals did not pass on “mitochondrial DNA” to modern humans.
Questions 19-23:
19. D: Refers to the rejection of previous conclusions regarding mitochondrial DNA.
20. B: Refers to the unexplained link between the arrival of modern humans and the disappearance of Neanderthals.
21. E: Refers to the FOXP2 gene related to shared language skills.
22. A: Announces the successful decoding of the Neanderthal genome (a scientific breakthrough).
23. F: Refers to the gap in knowledge regarding the evolution of cognitive and skeletal genes.
Questions 24-26:
24. crossbreeding / interbreeding: Paragraphs D and C confirm that interbreeding occurred.
25. growth: Paragraph F mentions “skeletal growth”.
26. little-finger bone: Paragraph G mentions this bone fragment led to the discovery of the Denisovans.
Studying this reading passage on Neanderthals helps you understand how scientific arguments are presented and how genetic hypotheses evolve. Through the detailed explanations, you will practice the skill of analyzing conflicting information and identifying how the author refutes outdated theories. This is a key factor in accurately handling the Matching Information question type in highly specialized texts. We wish you persistence in your practice to achieve a breakthrough in your Reading band score.
Khai giảng Khóa học Hè cực HOT.
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