# The Neolithic Period in Ireland: Farming and Innovations

IELTS Academic Listening - 10 questions - 9 minutes - Multiple choice, Note completion

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 6, Test 3, Listening Part 4. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## The recording

7 minutes of audio. Practice it with the player on the page; the transcript is on the answers page.

## Questions

### Questions 31-34: Multiple choice

Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

31. According to the speaker, it is not clear
   - A. when the farming economy was introduced to Ireland.
   - B. why people began to farm in Ireland.
   - C. where the early Irish farmers came from.

32. What point does the speaker make about breeding animals in Neolithic Ireland?
   - A. Their numbers must have been above a certain level.
   - B. They were under threat from wild animals.
   - C. Some species died out during this period.

33. What does the speaker say about the transportation of animals?
   - A. Livestock would have limited the distance the farmers could sail.
   - B. Neolithic boats were too primitive to have been used.
   - C. Probably only a few breeding animals were imported.

34. What is the main evidence for cereal crops in Neolithic Ireland?
   - A. the remains of burnt grain in pots
   - B. the marks left on pots by grains
   - C. the patterns painted on the surface of pots

### Questions 35-40: Note completion

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer. Question 36 needs two answers joined by "and", for example "X and Y".

STONE TOOLS
Ploughs could either have been pulled by **(35)** _____ or by cattle.
The farmers needed homes which were permanent dwellings.
In the final stages of axe-making, **(36)** _____ were necessary for grinding and polishing.
Irish axes were exported from Ireland to **(37)** _____ and England.
POTTERY MAKING
The colonisers used clay to make pots.
The **(38)** _____ of the pots was often polished to make them watertight.
Clay from **(39)** _____ areas was generally used.
Decoration was only put around the **(40)** _____ of the earliest pots.

[Practice online with a timer and instant marking](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/the-neolithic-period-in-ireland-farming-and-innovations) - [Answers and explanations](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/the-neolithic-period-in-ireland-farming-and-innovations/answers)