Australia's Megafauna Controversy
Read Australia's Megafauna Controversy and check the IELTS Reading answers. Over the past 50 millennia, Australia has witnessed the extinction of many species of large animals, including a rhinoceros-sized wombat and goannas the size of crocodiles. Debate about the possible cause of these extinctio…
Passage preview
Over the past 50 millennia, Australia has witnessed the extinction of many species of large animals, including a rhinoceros-sized wombat and goannas the size of crocodiles. Debate about the possible cause of these extinctions has continued for more than 150 years and one of the crucial questions raised is how long humans and megafauna coexisted in Australia. We need to know the overlap of time to make an informed choice between the two main theories regarding the causes of these extinctions. If humans and megafauna coexisted for a protracted period then climate change is the more likely cause. However, if the megafauna became extinct shortly after the arrival of humans, then humans are the likely culprits
Vocabulary from this passage
11 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- aridity noun
The state of being extremely dry or having very little rain; a condition lacking sufficient moisture
Researchers conclude that the aridity leading up to the Ice Age caused the megafauna's demise.
- assertion noun
A confident and forceful statement of fact or belief; a claim made without providing immediate proof
The lack of conclusive data casts doubt on the assertion that climate change caused the extinctions.
- debris noun
Scattered pieces of waste or remains; the fragments of something that has been destroyed or broken
The researchers suggest that the archaeologists were actually sampling debris carried by ancient flood channels.
- demise noun
The end or failure of an enterprise or institution; the eventual death or termination of something
Changing environmental conditions were thought to have brought about the eventual demise of the species.
- ephemeral adjective
Lasting for a very short time; transitory or existing only briefly before disappearing or changing state
The stone tools were thought to be deposited in an ephemeral lake that existed only briefly.
- inconsistency noun
The quality of being self-contradictory or not staying the same throughout; a lack of agreement
An analysis of the sediment layers revealed a number of inconsistencies in the original dating.
- plethora noun
A large or excessive amount of something; an abundance that is often greater than what is needed
The plethora of tools found at the site is difficult to reconcile with seasonal occupation.
- protracted period noun
A duration of time that lasts longer than expected or longer than the usual or average length
If humans and megafauna coexisted for a protracted period, climate change is the more likely cause.
- reconcile verb
To find a way in which two contradictory ideas or facts can be true or exist together
Scientists find it hard to reconcile the massive number of artifacts with the local geography.
- unequivocal evidence noun
Facts or information that leave no doubt about a conclusion; clear and unambiguous proof of a claim
Archaeologists claim the site provides unequivocal evidence of a long overlap between humans and megafauna.
- volatile combination noun
A mixture of factors that is likely to change suddenly and unexpectedly, often leading to danger
The arrival of humans created a volatile combination that led to the decline of large animals.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The statement claims Field and Wroe believe **humans and megafauna lived together** (coexisted). The text confirms this, using the phrase **long overlap**, and notes they provide 'unequivocal evidence' for this claim based on the Cuddie Springs site. The meanings align perfectly. Answer: TRUE.
- 2. NOT GIVEN
The text discusses the **demise** of megafauna due to aridity, but it **does not mention** the survival of **smaller megafauna species** specifically. Since the passage does not provide information about different sizes of megafauna surviving the Ice Age, the claim cannot be verified. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 2-3: A
2: The text discusses the **demise** of megafauna due to aridity, but it **does not mention** the survival of **smaller megafauna species** specifically. Since the passage does not provide information about different sizes of megafauna surviving the Ice Age, the claim cannot be verified. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
3: The statement suggests the writers believe the **dating** of the earth at the site is **unreliable**. However, the text explicitly says 'The dating of these layers is **accurate**' and 'There is **no disputing** the close association'. This is a direct contradiction of the statement. Answer: FALSE.
- 3. FALSE
The statement suggests the writers believe the **dating** of the earth at the site is **unreliable**. However, the text explicitly says 'The dating of these layers is **accurate**' and 'There is **no disputing** the close association'. This is a direct contradiction of the statement. Answer: FALSE.
- 3-4: A
3: The statement suggests the writers believe the **dating** of the earth at the site is **unreliable**. However, the text explicitly says 'The dating of these layers is **accurate**' and 'There is **no disputing** the close association'. This is a direct contradiction of the statement. Answer: FALSE.
4: The statement says some **artefacts** revealed their **function**. The text supports this, noting that stones showed features for **processing plants** and residues suggesting **butchering**. These physical clues allowed researchers to determine exactly how the tools were used. Answer: TRUE.
- 4. TRUE
The statement says some **artefacts** revealed their **function**. The text supports this, noting that stones showed features for **processing plants** and residues suggesting **butchering**. These physical clues allowed researchers to determine exactly how the tools were used. Answer: TRUE.
- 5. B
The summary describes the **large quantity** of items found. The text provides specific numbers: 3 tonnes of charcoal and 300 tonnes of **stone**. The blank requires a **noun** representing a material found in high volume at the site. 'Stone' fits both grammatically and factually based on the passage. Answer: B.
- 6. F
The summary states it would be impossible if the area was covered with something. The text mentions the site was only available when the **lake was dry**, implying it was usually covered with **water**. The word 'water' (from option F) is the logical noun to describe what would prevent occupation of a lake-bed site. Answer: F.
- 7. D
The summary mentions a lack of structures for a specific purpose. The text refers to **oven pits**, which are structures used for **cooking**. The blank requires a **gerund** or noun describing a domestic activity. 'Cooking' (option D) matches the functional description of 'oven pits'. Answer: D.
- 8. C
The summary compares the age of material in the same levels. The text notes that while charcoal is old, the **sand** is 'considerably younger'. The blank requires a **noun** representing a material whose age was analyzed via dating. 'Sand' (option C) provides the necessary contrast to charcoal. Answer: C.
- 9. G
The summary notes an absence of tools and another item nearby. The text states that the **deep drill core** recovered no tools ('stone artefact') or **fossil bones**. The blank requires a **noun** parallel to 'tools'. 'Fossil bones' (option G) is the specific missing item mentioned in the drill core analysis. Answer: G.
- 10. A
The writers conclude that the inconsistencies in dating show the **sediment layers** have been **mixed over time** ('moved about' and 're-deposited'). The option regarding sand being unhelpful is a distractor as they used sand to prove the inconsistency. The mention of re-examining technology or undatable charcoal is not supported by their conclusion. Answer: A.
- 11. B
The writers suggest that **floods** (a natural phenomenon) could have **disturbed the evidence** by mixing old bones with fresh deposits. While they mention bushfires, those are cited as a source of charcoal, not the primary cause of evidence disturbance. They do not claim floods killed the animals or bushfires stopped human settlement. Answer: B.
- 12. D
The writers speculate that the 1876 graziers **brought stones** from **another area** ('further afield') to line the well. This explains the presence of stones at the site. They mention cattle bones being forced deep, but not that they were confused with megafauna, and waterlogging is a condition, not a reason they stopped farming. Answer: D.
- 13. B
The final paragraph uses a model to show that killing **small numbers** of animals ('one juvenile... each year') over a long period could cause **extinction**. This supports the idea that massive slaughter wasn't necessary. The options regarding climate change or insufficient human population are arguments the writers are countering, not suggesting. Answer: B.