I’m Jonathan Mitchell, an IELTS Reading specialist with over 12 years’ experience explaining Cambridge IELTS passages. I focus on simplifying complex ideas and helping learners understand how to locate evidence efficiently under exam pressure.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1 – Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Prehistoric Island Settlers explores how scientists uncovered proof of early human life on Obi Island in Indonesia. It explains the discoveries made by Dr Ceri Shipton’s team, including ancient tools, animal remains and trade items that reveal how prehistoric islanders lived, travelled and adapted.
Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1
🔹 Questions 1–7 | True / False / Not Given
Master this skill with 👉 True / False / Not Given.
1) FALSE
- Keywords: previous research, Obi Island, before Shipton
- Location: Paragraph 1 (opening)
- Locator: “became the first archaeologists to explore Obi”
- Explanation: They were the first to excavate Obi, so earlier research had not occurred → FALSE.
2) FALSE
- Keywords: first clam shell axes ever found in region
- Location: Paragraph 3 (mid)
- Locator: “Axes made from clam shells … had also previously been found elsewhere in this region.”
- Explanation: Since other clam axes were already known, these were not the first → FALSE.
3) TRUE
- Keywords: Obi size today vs 18,000 years ago
- Location: Paragraph 4 (mid)
- Locator: “Sea levels were about 120 metres lower, meaning Obi was a much larger island.”
- Explanation: Today’s Obi is smaller than 18,000 years ago → TRUE.
4) NOT GIVEN
- Keywords: climate change impact greater than surrounding islands
- Location: Paragraph 5 (opening)
- Locator: No comparison with other islands.
- Explanation: The passage mentions climate change but not relative impact → NOT GIVEN.
5) TRUE
- Keywords: warmer weather, change in material for axes
- Location: Paragraph 5 (mid)
- Locator: “no coincidence that around this time the first axes crafted from stone … appear”
- Explanation: The timing links climate change to stone axes → TRUE.
6) NOT GIVEN
- Keywords: team surprised by hunting evidence
- Location: Paragraph 6 (mid)
- Locator: Mentions bones of Rothschild’s cuscus but no reaction.
- Explanation: No information on their surprise → NOT GIVEN.
7) FALSE
- Keywords: occupied continuously until 1,000 years ago
- Location: Paragraph 8 (opening)
- Locator: “people successfully lived … for about 10,000 years … then about 8,000 years ago both were abandoned.”
- Explanation: They were abandoned for thousands of years → FALSE.
🔹 Questions 8–13 | Notes Completion (ONE WORD ONLY)
Improve accuracy with 👉 Note / Table / Flowchart Completion.
8) caves
- Keywords: rock shelters inside … near Kelo
- Location: Paragraph 3 (opening)
- Locator: “two caves containing prehistoric rock shelters”
- Explanation: Excavations took place inside caves.
9) stone
- Keywords: axes from 11,700 years ago
- Location: Paragraph 5 (opening)
- Locator: “the first axes crafted from stone rather than sea shells appear”
- Explanation: Material changed from shell to stone.
10) bones
- Keywords: animal remains, diet
- Location: Paragraph 6 (opening)
- Locator: “Judging by the bones … people mainly hunted the Rothschild’s cuscus.”
- Explanation: Bones show what they ate.
11) beads
- Keywords: resembled ones found on other islands
- Location: Paragraph 7 (end)
- Locator: “particular types of beads, similar to those previously found on other islands.”
- Explanation: Beads indicated inter-island travel.
12) pottery
- Keywords: items made of metal and …
- Location: Paragraph 9 (mid)
- Locator: “people who owned pottery as well as items made out of gold and silver.”
- Explanation: They had pottery and metal objects.
13) spices
- Keywords: production and sale of …
- Location: Paragraph 9 (end)
- Locator: “used by people involved in the historic trade in spices.”
- Explanation: The islanders joined the spice trade.
Practice & Further Resources
Excellent work completing Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1 – Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Prehistoric Island Settlers!
Continue practising with our IELTS Reading guides:
Tips for Success
- Watch for dates and numbers – they help locate information quickly.
- For TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN, check meaning rather than exact words.
- Notice material changes (e.g. shell → stone) in scientific texts.
- Always read topic sentences to predict context before scanning.
New Vocabulary
Archaeologist – scientist who studies human history through artefacts. (The archaeologist found ancient axes in the cave.)
Obsidian – volcanic glass used to make sharp tools. (Traders brought obsidian from a neighbouring island.)
Forage – search for food or supplies. (Early settlers foraged along the shore.)
Canoe – small boat moved by paddles. (They used canoes to travel between islands.)
Excavation – systematic dig to uncover artefacts. (Excavation revealed pottery and bones.)
Prehistoric – belonging to a time before written records. (Prehistoric people lived on Obi 18,000 years ago.)
Learn more in 👉 IELTS Vocabulary in Context.
FAQ
Q1. What was the main purpose of the research on Obi Island?
To find archaeological evidence showing how early humans migrated through Indonesia.
Q2. What does the discovery of obsidian suggest?
That prehistoric people traded or travelled between islands.
Q3. Why did people start making axes from stone?
Because warmer, wetter conditions required stronger tools for dense forests.
Q4. When was the Kelo site re-occupied?
About 1,000 years ago by people involved in the spice trade.
External References
For authentic IELTS information and official practice materials, visit the British Council, IDP IELTS, and IELTS.org — the organisations that jointly manage the exam worldwide. To enhance your skills with structured online training, explore expert-led IELTS Preparation Courses on Course Line, designed to boost Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking performance.
Final Thoughts
The Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 1 – Archaeologists Discover Evidence of Prehistoric Island Settlers reveals how early humans thrived on tropical islands through innovation, trade and adaptation. By practising keyword recognition and locator skills, you’ll build the same analytical ability needed for Band 7 and above. Next → Cambridge 19 Reading Test 3 Passage 2 – The Global Importance of Wetlands.
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