The White Horse Of Uffington IELTS Reading Answers With Explanation

The White Horse Of Uffington Reading Answers Explained: History, archaeology or cultural topics are often the subjects in the Reading section, and candidates must pay attention to what the text says and how it is said. The passage from “The White Horse of Uffington” discusses ancient geoglyphs and their cultural significance. Reading this sort of text helps those taking the test practise spotting possibilities, identifying key thoughts and addressing tough questions such as Matching Headings and True/False/Not Given.

This Story also Contains

1. IELTS Reading Passage: The White Horse Of Uffington
2. Understanding “The White Horse Of Uffington” Passage
3. Overview of the "The White Horse Of Uffington" Passage
4. Key Themes and Main Ideas
5. The White Horse Of Uffington IELTS Reading Questions
6. The White Horse Of Uffington: Detailed Explanation of Answers
7. Common Mistakes To Avoid:
8. Smart Tips to Solve the Questions:

IELTS Reading Passage: The White Horse Of Uffington

1. The cutting of huge figures or 'geoglyphs' into the earth of English hillsides has taken place for more than 3,000 years. There are 56 hill figures scattered around England, with the vast majority on the chalk downlands of the country's southern counties. The figures include giants, horses, crosses and regimental badges. Although the majority of these geoglyphs date within the last 300 years or so, there are one or two that are much older.

2. The most famous of these figures is perhaps also the most mysterious - the Uffington White Horse in Oxfordshire. The White Horse has recently been re-dated and shown to be even older than its previously assigned ancient pre-Roman Iron Age date. More controversial is the date of the enigmatic Long Man of Wilmington in Sussex. While many historians are convinced the figure is prehistoric, others believe that it was the work of an artistic monk from a nearby priory and was created between the 11th and 15th centuries.

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3. The method of cutting these huge figures was simply to remove the overlying grass to reveal the gleaming white chalk below. However, the grass would soon grow over the geoglyph again unless it was regularly cleaned or scoured by a fairly large team of people. One reason that the vast majority of hill figures have disappeared is that when the traditions associated with the figures faded, people no longer bothered or remembered to clear away the grass to expose the chalk outline. Furthermore, over hundreds of years the outlines would sometimes change due to people not always cutting in exactly the same place, thus creating a different shape to the original geoglyph.

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4. The fact that any ancient hill figures survive at all in England today is testament to the strength and continuity of local customs and beliefs which, in one case at least, must stretch back over millennia.

5. The Uffington White Horse is a unique, stylised representation of a horse consisting of a long, sleek back, thin disjointed legs, a streaming tail, and a bird-like beaked head. The elegant creature almost melts into the landscape. The horse is situated 2.5 km from Uffington village on a steep slope close to the Late Bronze Age* (c. 7th century BCE) hillfort of Uffington Castle and below the Ridgeway, a long-distance Neolithic** track.

6. The Uffington Horse is also surrounded by Bronze Age burial mounds. It is not far from the Bronze Age cemetery of Lambourn Seven Barrows, which consists of more than 30 well-preserved burial mounds. The carving has been placed in such a way as to make it extremely difficult to see from close quarters, and like many geoglyphs is best appreciated from the air. Nevertheless, there are certain areas of the Vale of the White Horse, the valley containing and named after the enigmatic creature, from which an adequate impression may be gained. Indeed on a clear day the carving can be seen from up to 30 km away.

7. The earliest evidence of a horse at Uffington is from the 1070s CE when 'White Horse Hill' is mentioned in documents from the nearby Abbey of Abingdon, and the first reference to the horse itself is soon after, in 1190 CE. However, the carving is believed to date back much further than that. Due to the similarity of the Uffington White Horse to the stylised depictions of horses on 1st century BCE coins, it had been thought that the creature must also date to that period.

8. However, in 1995 Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) testing was carried out by the Oxford Archaeological Unit on soil from two of the lower layers of the horse's body, and from another cut near the base. The result was a date for the horse's construction somewhere between 1400 and 600 BCE - in other words, it had a Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age origin.

9. The latter end of this date range would tie the carving of the horse in with occupation of the nearby Uffington hillfort, indicating that it may represent a tribal emblem marking the land of the inhabitants of the hillfort. Alternatively, the carving may have been carried out during a Bronze or Iron Age ritual. Some researchers see the horse as representing the Celtic*** horse goddess Epona, who was worshipped as a protector of horses, and for her associations with fertility. However, the cult of Epona was not imported from Gaul (France) until around the first century CE. This date is at least six centuries after the Uffington Horse was probably carved. Nevertheless, the horse had great ritual and economic significance during the Bronze and Iron Ages, as attested by its depictions on jewellery and other metal objects. It is possible that the carving represents a goddess in native mythology, such as Rhiannon, described in later Welsh mythology as a beautiful woman dressed in gold and riding a white horse.

10. The fact that geoglyphs can disappear easily, along with their associated rituals and meaning, indicates that they were never intended to be anything more than temporary gestures. But this does not lessen their importance. These giant carvings are a fascinating glimpse into the minds of their creators and how they viewed the landscape in which they lived.

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Understanding “The White Horse Of Uffington” Passage

Before anything else, glance at all the questions. If you first understand the question before you read, you will pay more attention. After you are done with the questions, go on to closely read the passage. It helps you find things as smoothly and directly as you can.

Overview of the "The White Horse Of Uffington" Passage

Re-expressing the main points in your own words can break up the topic so you can answer questions with greater ease the second or third time you read.

Paragraph 1: For over 3,000 years, people in England have carved geoglyphs—large figures—into hillsides, mainly in the South Chalklands, and some are much older than others.

Paragraph 2: The most popular and mysterious is the Uffington White Horse. Even though we now think the carvings appeared much earlier, there are still uncertain dates for big figures like the Long Man of Wilmington.

Paragraph 3: The figures were produced by pulling the surrounding grass away to expose white chalk underneath. Shapes might change over the years because they are not consistently maintained.

Paragraph 4: Some historic figures remain part of history because of local traditions and customs, proving that cultural continuity matters.

Paragraph 5: The Uffington Horse is a unique stylised carving located on a hillside next to Uffington Castle and the old Ridgeway trail.

Paragraph 6: Because the Bronze Age burial mounds surround the horse, it cannot be closely viewed, though it can be noticed from afar or from the air, meaning it was intended to be seen from some distance.

Paragraph 7: In the 11th and 12th centuries, records mention White Horse Hill; even so, the style of the carving resembles ancient coins, so it might be from the 1st century BCE or even older.

Paragraph 8: It was discovered in 1995 that scientific analysis of the horse dates its existence to somewhere in the period between 1400 BCE and 600 BCE, which is the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age.

Paragraph 9: Perhaps, the researchers think, the horse was used as a symbol or in tribal ceremonies. Although some believe it originates from Celtic or Welsh mythology, it may actually represent older traditions.

Paragraph 10: Even though the hill figures were probably only temporary, they still tell us about the beliefs and connection to nature of ancient societies.

Key Themes and Main Ideas

Understanding the main concepts helps you handle basic IELTS Reading questions, including Matching Headings, True/False/Not Given, Summary Completion and multiple choice.

1. History and prevalence of geoglyphs

Over fifty chalk hill figures are found in England, and the majority were carved in the last 300 years, even though a small number are older.

2. The Uffington White Horse's uniqueness

It is the most ancient and mysterious figure, for both its form and placement.

3. Methods of construction and erosion

Carvings involved cutting grass to reveal chalk. Not caring for the pieces meant they changed or lost their colour in time.

4. Cultural and ritual significance

A horse can represent tribal authority, religious ceremonies or local myths, even if its exact use is unknown.

5. Archaeological evidence and dating

According to OSL tests, the carving was created between 1400–600 BCE, which is much earlier than what was thought before.

6. Visibility and intended audience

Because it can be seen from a distance, it could have been crafted for wide viewing, probably as a way to show its religious meaning.

7. Survival due to tradition

Community participation helped the sculpture survive over the years, demonstrating how strong local cultural views were.

8. Interpretation and temporary nature

Even though they were meant to be temporary, they have turned into cultural and archaeological records.

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The White Horse Of Uffington IELTS Reading Questions

Questions 1–5: Matching Headings

In these types of questions, you will be required to match a heading with the paragraph or identify the paragraph from the heading.

i. Ceremonial grounds, ancient burial sites.

ii. Recent scientific investigations aiming to find out the age of geoglyphs

iii. Building and eroding chalk forms

iv. Local customs play a part in the upkeep of geoglyphs.

v. Origins and where the Uffington Horse was.

vi. Ways Uffington is unique when compared to other figures

vii. The lasting significance and results of hill carvings

viii. Records of documentaries and stylistic analysis

1. Paragraph 3

2. Paragraph 4

3. Paragraph 5

4. Paragraph 7

5. Paragraph 8

Questions 6–10: True, False, Not Given

Do each of the following statements match what the passage mentions?

Write TRUE, FALSE, or NOT GIVEN in boxes 6–10 on your answer sheet.

6. A large number of English geoglyphs were formed in the last 300 years.

7. Long Man of Wilmington is now known to be a prehistoric geoglyph.

8. Looking at the Uffington Horse from the sky is the only way to clearly see it.

9. The first known written reference to the White Horse was made in the year 1190.

10. Cult of Epona made its way to Britain in the Iron Age.

Questions 11–13: Multiple Choice Questions

Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.

Write your answers in boxes 11–13 on your answer sheet.

11. Why do most geoglyphs no longer exist today?
    A. They were destroyed during wars.
    B. The grass grew back due to a lack of regular maintenance.
    C. They were covered intentionally by locals.
    D. The soil became too dry to preserve them.

12. What did the 1995 scientific test determine about the Uffington Horse?
    A. It was made during the Roman era.
    B. It was created during medieval times.
    C. It dates back to between 1400 and 600 BCE.
    D. It cannot be accurately dated.

13. What is the main idea of the final paragraph?
    A. The horse symbolises military victory.
    B. Hill figures are still used in rituals today.
    C. Hill figures provide insight into ancient landscapes and beliefs.
    D. The creators of geoglyphs never meant them to last.

The White Horse Of Uffington: Detailed Explanation of Answers

The detailed information about the answers will help you analyse mistakes you have made:

1. Paragraph 3 → iii. Building and eroding chalk forms

It describes the process of making figures by digging up grass, and the result is their eventual disappearance if not maintained. It goes well with heading iii.

2. Paragraph 4 → iv. Local customs play a part in the upkeep of geoglyphs.

Here, we read that the reason some geoglyphs are preserved is due to long-standing local traditions, so heading iv is the right fit.

3. Paragraph 5 → v. Origins and where the Uffington Horse was.

It talks about the details of the Uffington Horse, such as its position near the Ridgeway trail and Uffington Castle, so the word heading is used.

4. Paragraph 7 → viii. Records of documentaries and stylistic analysis

Covers both early texts (from the 11th and 12th centuries) and adds a point of also comparing the horse to depictions on ancient coins, making viii the right heading.

5. Paragraph 8 → ii. Recent scientific investigations aiming to find out the age of geoglyphs

It mainly deals with the 1995 OSL test and its findings. It supplies unique evidence about dating, within heading ii.

6. True

Paragraph 1 clearly says: "The great majority of these geoglyphs were created in the last 300 years." The statement, therefore, is accurate.

7. False

Paragraph 2 says that while some believe the Long Man is prehistoric, some believe it was built between the 11th and the 15th centuries. So, we do not know the date, so the statement is not true.

8. False

According to paragraph 6, you can have the best views of it from the air or some parts of the Vale of the White Horse. It is not correct to say that you can only see it when viewing it from the sky.

9. True

The seventh paragraph tells us that the first reference to a horse is seen in 1190 CE, and White Horse Hill is mentioned in the 1070s CE. This statement is exactly the same one.

10. True

According to paragraph 9, the cult of Epona was not imported until the first century CE, after the horse was carved. Therefore, the carving wasn’t made during the Iron Age.

11. B. The grass grew back due to a lack of regular maintenance

It explains in paragraph 3 that “the grass would soon grow over the geoglyph again unless it was regularly cleaned…” So, there was little maintenance, and most geoglyphs eventually vanished.

12. C. It dates back to between 1400 and 600 BCE

According to paragraph 8, OSL research in 1995 showed that the carving dates from the Late Bronze or Early Iron Age, from between 1400 BCE and 600 BCE.

13. C. Hill figures provide insight into ancient landscapes and beliefs

Paragraph 10 states: “These giant carvings are a fascinating glimpse into the minds of their creators and how they viewed the landscape...” — which is just what option C is trying to say.

Common Mistakes To Avoid:

The following mistakes should be avoided to score high. Make sure to read them properly:

1. Mixing Up Historical Timelines

Many students have difficulty handling the dates between 1400 BCE and 1190 CE, which are included in the passage. Some students might believe that since the first written reference to the horse appears in the 11th or 12th century CE, this must mean horses were made then, which is a mistake.

To avoid this, create a note of important dates and their meaning and remember them as you study.

2. Taking Hypotheses as Facts

Ideas like linking the White Horse to Epona or ceremonies among tribes have not been proven. A lot of candidates see them as having already happened.

Avoid this by paying attention to modal verbs like might, could or probably, which stand for possibility.

3. Overlooking the Purpose of Specific Details

Sometimes people reading these texts overlook why certain facts, like the Ridgeway or nearby burial mounds, are mentioned. They offer us insight into why or how the carving was used, so they serve a function, not only as ornaments.

Avoid this by asking yourself the reason this was written in the article. Why does the quote help illustrate the idea of the paragraph?

4. Choosing Matching Headings Too Quickly

Lots of learners select the heading for the section immediately after reading only the first sentence. Intermediary words tend to result in picking general or random main words.

Instead, look at the whole paragraph and make sure the main idea matches the question.

Smart Tips to Solve the Questions:

Knowing how the passage is set up and finding paraphrased ideas can improve your results. Here are a few effective ways to find the correct solutions to questions.

1. Skim First, Then Scan for Answers

Read first by just going over the passage to see where dates, names and main events are found. As you go over the answers, try to notice keywords from the questions.

2. Use Paraphrasing to Your Advantage

Important points from the original are restated in the passage. An example is that “ritual or symbolic meaning” could turn into “tribal emblem” or “mythical figure.”

Work on getting the main idea, not on memorizing individual words exactly as they are.

3. Read Options Carefully in T/F/NG

Don’t rush. An idea that logically fits but is never actually stated in the text is considered Not Given.

True = clearly stated

False = contradicts the passage

Not Given = not mentioned at all

4. Underline Keywords While Reading

List important dates (e.g., 1400–600 BCE), important sites (Uffington Castle, Ridgeway) and main topics (Epona, Rhiannon).

It helps you: Read the passage efficiently and go straight to the correct spot for each one.

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