IELTS® Academic Reading Practice 51

The answer is I. Paragraph I discusses how to recognize authentic Maori hooks from counterfeit ones. It mentions that fake hooks can be spotted by their cheap construction, inconsistent materials, rudimentary lashings, odd or over-elaborate decorative carvings, and by the lack of in-turned points or angled grooves used to actually attach the fishing line. This is a clear instruction for distinguishing real artifacts from forgeries.

Associated Text:
Fake hooks can be spotted by their cheap construction, inconsistent materials, rudimentary lashings, odd or over-elaborate decorative carvings, and finally, by the lack of in-turned points or angled grooves used to actually attach the fishing line.

The answer is F. Paragraph F describes hooks that are not intended for catching fish but are used to capture seabirds for food and feathers. It highlights that these are differentiated by their lighter build and lack of an inturned point, and that early explorers collected many of them, indicating they were used for seabirds rather than fish.

Associated Text:
To capture seabirds for food and feathers, like albatross, the islanders used slender hooks which can be differentiated from other hooks intended to catch fish by their lighter build and lack of an inturned point. Many of these hooks were collected by early explorers, suggesting that the taking of seabirds with hook and line was an important source of food and feathers for the Maori.

The answer is J. Paragraph J acknowledges the continued relevance of Maori design and craftsmanship in the modern world. It states that commercial longline fishermen today have begun using the circle hook design, which is nearly the same as the traditional Matau hook both in appearance and function. This demonstrates the enduring significance of Maori technology.

Associated Text:
Commercial longline fishermen everywhere have begun using the circle hook design today, one that is nearly the same as the traditional Matau hook in both its appearance and functionality. It seems that this Maori technology's advantages and improved catch rates have been recognized once more.

The answer is D. Paragraph D details an investigation into how the Maori hooks worked so effectively. It mentions a recent study by the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa showing that the unique hook design was a matter of function and explains how the design allowed the hook to catch fish by spinning and catching their jaws. This analysis confirms how the design contributed to the effectiveness of these hooks.

Associated Text:
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa did their own recent study on Maori fish hooks two hundred and thirty years later, and were able to demonstrate that the unique hook design was a matter of function. The hook’s design allowed it to catch fish by spinning away from the direction of the point and catching their jaws instead of poking a hole through the fish or by being used as a lever, which some archaeologists also suggested.

The answer is H. Paragraph H describes how modern technology eventually replaced traditional Maori hook-making. It mentions that although traditional designs persisted for a time, it was only a matter of time before mass-produced European metal hooks dominated and traditional designs fell out of favor. This paragraph outlines the transition from traditional to modern technology.

Associated Text:
In the end, though, it was only a matter of time before the amount of mass-produced metal European hooks finally overwhelmed the area, highlighting the difficulty of making hooks from nails, horseshoes, and other metal objects, and finally the use of the traditional designs fell out of favor.

The answer is B. Paragraph B lists the raw materials Maori used to construct fish hooks and fishing gear, including wood, bone, stone, shells, flax, cabbage tree, and astelia. It discusses how these materials provided the fibrous strength needed for lines and nets, indicating the range of materials employed in their construction.

Associated Text:
fishermen made their hooks and fishing gear out of wood, bone, stone, and shells. Other plants native to the island of New Zealand, like as flax (harakeke), cabbage tree (ti) and astelia (kiekie) gave the necessary fibrous material to make fishing lines and nets of greater or equal strength to the jute, which was being used by the Europeans at the time.

The answer is E. Paragraph E outlines the different styles of hooks and materials used to catch larger fish. It describes how Maori used shanks made of strong wood with stout points from bone or shell, attached materials, and specific methods for crafting large hooks to catch bigger species like sharks, groper, and ling. The use of composite hooks for larger species further emphasizes their strategies for different catches.

Associated Text:
To make larger hooks, Maori used shanks made of strong wood, with stout points made of bone or shell. ... When they wanted to catch larger species like sharks, groper, and ling, they used composite hooks.

The answer is G. Paragraph G discusses how Maori incorporated new technology and materials after European contact. It mentions the adoption of metals and imported materials in making fish hooks, replacing older natural components as these became available from explorers, sealers, and whalers.

Associated Text:
Maori adopted new materials quickly once they became available with European explorers, sealers and whalers who began to arrive towards the end of the 1700s. At this point, the Maori were still making their fish hooks but now using metals and imported materials.