TOEFL Reading Practice - Passage 1
For centuries, Indigenous communities have lived in the canyons of the Arizona desert, and now, advanced technology is revealing remarkable details about these sacred sites.
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, located in the Navajo Nation of northeastern Arizona, spans approximately 83,000 acres, featuring towering sandstone formations and lush waterways. From above, the canyon resembles a turkey’s foot—an appropriate shape, given that wild turkeys have roamed the area for generations. One of the most striking formations is Spider Rock, a towering 750-foot sandstone spire. However, perhaps the most historically significant site is a large, ancient dwelling containing over 165 rooms, constructed by Indigenous peoples who settled here more than a thousand years ago. They were drawn to the land for its fertile soil, reliable water sources, and natural protection.
To the Navajo, or Diné, this sacred site is known as Tse Yaa Kin, or House Under the Rock. Many view the location with great reverence, considering it a holy place. Despite being a member of the Diné community, the author felt apprehensive about visiting the site due to its spiritual significance. Some Indigenous groups believe that entering such sacred areas disrupts the spirits of the past.
The journey to the site requires rugged vehicles, as the roads are covered in deep sand and mud. Along the way, one encounters wild horses, fruit orchards, and remnants of ancient Native American settlements, including the famous White House Cliff Dwellings. After hours of travel, the team arrives at Tse Yaa Kin, where human habitation dates back over 4,000 years. However, the structures carved into the cliffs were mainly built between A.D. 300 and 1300, serving as homes, gathering spaces, and places of worship. The inhabitants even decorated the walls with colorful earthen plasters, which are still visible today. The highest room within the complex holds particular spiritual importance.
By the 13th century, the site was abandoned, likely due to a severe drought. The naturally sheltered caves helped preserve the structures over time. In 1882, Colonel James Stevenson led an expedition for the Smithsonian Institution, discovering two mummified human remains wrapped in yucca fiber. This led to the Western name for the site: Mummy Cave. Since then, archaeologists have frequently studied the area, yet a comprehensive architectural survey had never been conducted—until now.
Today, Indigenous people still hold Tse Yaa Kin in high regard, but the site faces growing threats from invasive plant species, erosion, and climate change. A research team led by Josh Ramsey of the National Park Service and Angelyn Bass from the University of New Mexico has been conducting detailed surveys since 2022. Using lidar technology and digital photography, they are mapping the structures and identifying areas at risk of deterioration. By analyzing the ancient plasters under electron microscopes, they are uncovering new insights into the construction techniques and lives of the people who lived here.
The research process is both physically demanding and delicate. Researchers scale the steep canyon walls to collect small flakes of fallen plaster, carefully studying the markings left behind by the original builders. Bass describes these decorative plasters as the "voice" of the ancestors, preserving the artistic and cultural expressions of ancient peoples.
The history of the region is layered with many Indigenous cultures. The Archaic people occupied the land between 2500 B.C. and 200 B.C., followed by the Basketmaker peoples, who built intricate public spaces from 200 B.C. to A.D. 750. The Ancestral Puebloans later constructed elaborate dwellings, and by the 1300s, the Hopi farmed in the valley seasonally. In the 1700s, the Diné made the canyon their home, continuing their traditions of farming and herding.
However, the canyon also holds painful memories. In the 1860s, the U.S. government launched a brutal campaign against the Diné, forcing thousands of people to march from Arizona to Fort Sumner in New Mexico, in what is known as The Long Walk. Along the way, many Diné perished as soldiers destroyed their food supplies and livestock. Although some Diné families still live in the monument today, the scars of this forced displacement remain deeply felt.
Even today, the sacred nature of Tse Yaa Kin causes hesitation among many Indigenous people. The author, for example, refrained from entering the site’s holiest areas out of respect for the spirits. Some Diné believe that exposure to ancestral sites can lead to illness or spiritual disturbances. After leaving the site, the author sought guidance from a Diné spiritual practitioner, Joseph Pablo, who performed traditional healing rituals to restore balance, or hozho—a state of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
As climate change accelerates, researchers are racing against time to document and protect this historical site. Bass and her colleagues are working to preserve the structures through mapping, analysis, and conservation techniques, ensuring that even if physical erosion occurs, the cultural and historical significance of Tse Yaa Kin is not lost. However, the spiritual essence of the site remains more elusive—something that technology may never be able to fully capture.
TOEFL Reading Questions
1. What was the primary reason that ancient Indigenous peoples inhabited Tse Yaa Kin?
A) The religious practices of the Diné people
B) The natural landscape and wildlife of Canyon de Chelly
C) he availability of fertile soil, fresh water, and natural protection.
D) The military conflicts between the U.S. government and the Navajo Nation
2. What was the significance of Colonel James Stevenson’s visit to Tse Yaa Kin in 1882?
A) An earthquake destroyed the structures
B) The arrival of European settlers forced them to leave
C) A prolonged drought made survival difficult
D) His team conducted the first Western archaeological exploration of the site.
3. The word "desiccation" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:
A) Drying out.
B) Decided
C) Encouraged
D) Insisted
4. What is one of the primary objectives of the current archaeological research at Tse Yaa Kin?
A) Using lidar technology and digital photography, they are mapping the structures and identifying areas at risk of deterioration.
B) To create a comprehensive map of the site using modern technology.
C) Before the author describes his conversation with Joseph Pablo
D) At the conclusion of the passage
5. Complete the summary by selecting three correct sentences.
Tse Yaa Kin is an ancient Indigenous site in Arizona that has been inhabited for thousands of years.
- ________________.
- ________________.
- ________________.
A) In the 13th century, the site was abandoned, possibly due to a drought.
B) Researchers today are using advanced technology to map and analyze the site.
C) The site remains largely unknown to both archaeologists and Indigenous communities.
D) Many Indigenous people believe that visiting the site without caution can bring spiritual harm.
E) The site was first discovered by the U.S. government in the 1950s.
6. Why does the author mention the "handprints and fingerprints" left on the decorative plasters?
A) To highlight the artistic techniques of the Ancestral Puebloans
B) To illustrate the human connection to the site and its history
C) To argue that the site should be restored to its original condition
D) To prove that the plasters were made using sophisticated tools
7. Why does the author describe their hesitation to visit Tse Yaa Kin?
A) To illustrate the logistical difficulties of reaching the site
B) To emphasize the deep spiritual significance of the site to Indigenous people
C) To argue that the site should remain off-limits to archaeologists
D) To contrast their personal beliefs with those of the research team
8. What can be inferred about the impact of climate change on Tse Yaa Kin?
A) The structures are at immediate risk of collapsing due to extreme weather.
B) Climate change is accelerating the erosion of the site, increasing the urgency of preservation efforts.
C) Scientists are using traditional methods instead of technology to counteract climate damage.
D) The effects of climate change have not yet affected Tse Yaa Kin significantly.
9. Why does the author consult Joseph Pablo after visiting Tse Yaa Kin?
A) To gain academic insight into the historical significance of the site
B) To understand why archaeologists continue studying the cave complex
C) To seek spiritual guidance and healing after potentially violating a sacred space
D) To confirm whether the researchers had discovered new artifacts
10. Based on the passage, how do some Indigenous people feel about the research being conducted at Tse Yaa Kin?
A) They fully support the research and believe it will help protect the site.
B) Some feel conflicted, as scientific studies may disturb the sacred energy of the site.
C) Most Indigenous people oppose the research and want the site to remain untouched.
D) The passage does not provide any Indigenous perspectives on the research.
To reveal the answers and their explanations, click on "Show Answers"
TOEFL Reading Answers with Explanation
1. Factual Information Question
What was the primary reason that ancient Indigenous peoples inhabited Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: C) The availability of fertile soil, fresh water, and natural protection.
Explanation: The passage states that ancient Indigenous peoples were drawn to the site because of its fertile soil, fresh water from springs and streams, and natural protection from the elements. This makes C the correct choice. The passage does not suggest that the site was chosen for spiritual significance alone (A), that it was mainly a defensive structure (B), or that it was selected for trade purposes (D).
2. Factual Information Question
What was the significance of Colonel James Stevenson’s visit to Tse Yaa Kin in 1882?
Correct Answer: D) His team conducted the first Western archaeological exploration of the site.
Explanation: The passage states that in 1882, Colonel James Stevenson led the first team of Western archaeologists to study the site on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution. During this expedition, they found human remains wrapped in yucca cordage, leading to the site’s nickname, "Mummy Cave." Stevenson did not excavate the entire site (A), identify its original inhabitants (B), or make efforts to preserve it (C), making those answers incorrect.
3. Vocabulary Question
The word "desiccation" in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to:
Correct Answer: A) Drying out.
Explanation: The passage describes human remains preserved through desiccation, meaning they were protected due to the dry desert air. "Desiccation" refers to the process of extreme drying, making A the correct answer. B) Burial is incorrect because the remains were not underground. C) Freezing and D) Decomposition are also incorrect because they do not match the passage’s context.
4. Factual Information Question
What is one of the primary objectives of the current archaeological research at Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: B) To create a comprehensive map of the site using modern technology.
Explanation: The passage highlights that researchers are using lidar imaging and digital photography to map the site for the first time, helping to determine which structures are most vulnerable to decay. Their work is primarily focused on documentation and preservation rather than finding new artifacts (A), restoring the site (C), or analyzing human remains (D).
5. Negative Factual Information Question
According to the passage, which of the following is NOT mentioned as a threat to Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: D) Urban development.
Explanation: The passage discusses climate change, erosion, invasive species, and wind abrasion as threats to the site. However, it does not mention urban development as a problem, making D the correct answer. The canyon is a protected national monument within the Navajo Nation, so it is not facing immediate danger from modern construction or expansion.
6. Rhetorical Purpose Question
Why does the author mention the "handprints and fingerprints" left on the decorative plasters?
Correct Answer: B) To illustrate the human connection to the site and its history.
Explanation: The passage describes the handprints and fingerprints as remnants of the people who lived at Tse Yaa Kin, emphasizing their direct presence and connection to the site. The author even quotes anthropologist Angelyn Bass, who states that the plasters allow the ancestors to "have a voice," reinforcing the idea that these markings are a way to connect the past to the present. The emphasis is not on artistic techniques (A), restoration (C), or sophisticated tools (D), making them incorrect.
7. Rhetorical Purpose Question
Why does the author describe their hesitation to visit Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: B) To emphasize the deep spiritual significance of the site to Indigenous people.
Explanation: The passage describes the author’s trepidation before visiting Tse Yaa Kin, noting that many Indigenous people consider it off-limits due to its spiritual significance. The hesitation is not about logistical challenges (A) but rather about cultural respect. The author does not suggest that archaeologists should stop their work (C), nor does the passage highlight a strong contrast between their beliefs and those of the research team (D).
8. Inference Question
What can be inferred about the impact of climate change on Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: B) Climate change is accelerating the erosion of the site, increasing the urgency of preservation efforts.
Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions erosion, invasive species, and intense weather events as threats to the canyon, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. The researchers’ work is framed as a race against time to document and preserve the site before irreversible damage occurs. The passage does not suggest that the structures are immediately collapsing (A), nor does it claim that scientists are avoiding modern technology (C), or that climate change has had no significant impact (D).
9. Inference Question
Why does the author consult Joseph Pablo after visiting Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: C) To seek spiritual guidance and healing after potentially violating a sacred space.
Explanation: After leaving Tse Yaa Kin, the author feels shaken and concerned about exposure to the site’s energy. Joseph Pablo warns that visiting such places can lead to spiritual and physical consequences, which is why he performs traditional healing rituals. The author is not looking for academic insight (A), details about archaeology (B), or confirmation of artifact discoveries (D).
10. Inference Question
Based on the passage, how do some Indigenous people feel about the research being conducted at Tse Yaa Kin?
Correct Answer: B) Some feel conflicted, as scientific studies may disturb the sacred energy of the site.
Explanation: The passage suggests a dual perspective—while the research documents and preserves the site, it also risks disturbing sacred spaces and spirits. The author, who is Diné, expresses a sense of inner conflict, feeling unsure whether simply visiting the site was disrespectful. This means that not all Indigenous people fully support (A) or completely oppose (C) the research. The passage also explicitly discusses Indigenous perspectives, so (D) is incorrect.
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