IELTS® Academic Reading Practice 44

The answer is v. Section A discusses the broad social changes resulting from the move to agriculture, noting population growth, permanent settlements, and technological and social development. This aligns with the heading, "Improvement in methods of cultivation results in widespread social change."

Associated Text:
The adoption of sustained agriculture – what anthropologists call the “Neolithic revolution” – signifies an important turning point in the development of human societies, as it led directly to population growth, permanent or semi-permanent settlement, as well as technological and social development.

The answer is ii. Section B describes how Neolithic agriculture "developed at different times in different parts of the world," such as the Levant, Mesopotamia, Northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe, which matches heading (ii): "Farming evolves in different ways in different civilizations."

Associated Text:
Neolithic agriculture developed at different times in different parts of the world, beginning with the Levant and Mesopotamia, followed by Northern Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

The answer is viii. Section C discusses the initial domestication and gradual addition of various plant species, including grains and pulses, aligning with "Because of careful rearing a greater diversity of crops emerge."

Associated Text:
Early agriculture was restricted to a limited number of plants, namely Emmer wheat, Einkorn wheat, and barley. Later, people learned to cultivate pulses, including lentils, peas, chickpeas, and bitter vetch, as well as the multi-purpose flax plant.

The answer is xi. Section D notes that food surpluses enabled "a host of other social developments, like occupational specialization... trade, and social stratification." This directly references the development of social hierarchies as agricultural practices advanced, fitting heading (xi): "A social hierarchy develops as agricultural practices advance."

Associated Text:
food surpluses, in turn, enabled a host of other social developments, like occupational specialization (since not everyone had to be involved in food production), trade, and social stratification.

The answer is xii. Section E outlines the tools and technological advancements that went hand in hand with agriculture, stating that "People fashioned stone tools such as hoes... More important... was the polished stone axe..." and "Along with the adze, the axe also enabled them to work the trees..." This closely matches heading (xii): "Technology and tools developed alongside agriculture."

Associated Text:
These advances in agriculture went hand in hand with technological development. People fashioned stone tools such as hoes for working soil, sickle blades for harvesting the crops, and grinding stones for processing the grains. More important than such agricultural implements, however, was the polished stone axe... Along with the adze, the axe also enabled them to work the trees...

The answer is i. Section F covers animal domestication and describes the changing relationships between Neolithic people and other species: "these stone age farmers also domesticated animals... whose temperament, diet, and mating patterns made them good candidates..." This matches heading (i): "The move from hunter gathering changes Neolithic man’s relationship with other species."

Associated Text:
Besides cultivating plants, these stone age farmers also domesticated animals. At first, it was sheep, goats, and dogs whose temperament, diet, and mating patterns made them good candidates for domestication.

The answer is vi. Section G links food security and surpluses provided by agriculture with other advances: "And it may be argued that the subsequent advances in all realms of society – not only the aforementioned technology but also knowledge, art, writing, astronomy – would not have emerged without a sedentary lifestyle." This supports heading (vi): "Respite from work leads to greater inventiveness."

Associated Text:
And it may be argued that the subsequent advances in all realms of society – not only the aforementioned technology but also knowledge, art, writing, astronomy – would not have emerged without a sedentary lifestyle.

The answer is iii. Section H details how the Neolithic revolution negatively impacted human longevity: "disease increased... agriculture required significantly more labor... life expectancy that was most likely shorter than that of the apparently more primitive hunter-gatherers." This directly fits heading (iii): "The Neolithic revolution leads to less longevity in humans."

Associated Text:
disease increased, as humans lived in closer contact with each other and with domesticated animals... It also turns out that agriculture required significantly more labor than hunting and gathering. The combined result of these facts was a life expectancy that was most likely shorter than that of the apparently more primitive hunter-gatherers.