The IELTS Reading section includes passages on history, science, culture, and many other topics. The White Horse of Uffington Reading Answers is based on a passage about one of England's famous ancient hill figures and the different theories about its age, purpose, and history.
The passage discusses geoglyphs, including the White Horse of Uffington, and explains how researchers used evidence to understand when and why the figure was created. It also looks at how these chalk figures were maintained and why some have disappeared over time.
Working through this passage can help you practise True/False/Not Given and note-completion questions. The key is to find the exact information in the passage rather than relying on what you already know about the topic.
The White Horse of Uffington Reading Passage
The White Horse of Uffington Reading passage explores the history and mystery surrounding one of England’s oldest hill figures. It looks at how the geoglyph was created, how its age was determined, where it is located, and the different theories about its historical and religious significance.
The White Horse of Uffington Reading
The passage explains the history of large figures, known as geoglyphs, that were created on the hillsides of England. It focuses mainly on the White Horse of Uffington, including its location, age, appearance, and possible purpose.
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The White Horse of Uffington Reading Answers: Questions 1–13
There are 13 questions in the passage. The first eight questions are True/False/Not Given, whereas questions nine through thirteen involve completing notes from the passage.
Questions 1–8: True/False/Not Given
Do the following statements match the information given in the Reading Passage?
For each question, choose the correct option for your answer sheet:
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the passage FALSE – if the statement contradicts the passage NOT GIVEN – if the passage does not provide this information
Question 1
The statement: Most geoglyphs in England are located in a particular area of the country.
Answer: TRUE
According to the passage, the majority of the geoglyphs in England are located in the chalk downlands of the southern counties in the country. Thus, it can be concluded that they are mostly located in one place.
Question 2
The statement: There are more geoglyphs in the shape of a horse than any other creature.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
Various figures like giants, horses, crosses, and regimental badges are mentioned in the passage. However, there is no comparison between the number of horses and other figures. Therefore, the answer is NOT GIVEN.
Question 3
The statement: A recent dating of the Uffington White Horse indicates that people were mistaken about its age.
Answer: TRUE
According to the passage, the White Horse has been dated recently, and it has turned out to be older than what was thought before. Thus, the previous idea about the age of the White Horse was wrong.
Question 4
The statement: Historians have come to an agreement about the origins of the Long Man of Wilmington.
Answer: FALSE
There are different views about the origin of the Long Man of Wilmington provided in the passage. Some researchers consider it to be prehistoric, whereas some researchers think otherwise. Therefore, historians do not have a consensus about it.
Question 5
The statement: Geoglyphs were created by people placing white chalk on the hillside.
Answer: FALSE
The figures were not made by placing white chalk onto the hillside. Instead, people removed the grass and soil to expose the naturally white chalk underneath. This makes the statement incorrect.
Question 6
The statement: Many geoglyphs in England are no longer visible.
Answer: TRUE
The passage explains that many geoglyphs have disappeared because they were not regularly maintained. When the exposed chalk was not cleared, grass grew back and eventually covered the figures.
Question 7
The statement: The shape of some geoglyphs has been altered over time.
Answer: TRUE
The passage explains that some figures changed shape because people did not always cut the outlines in exactly the same place during maintenance. As a result, their appearance changed over time.
Question 8
The statement: The fame of the Uffington White Horse is due to its size.
Answer: NOT GIVEN
The passage discusses the importance and fame of the Uffington White Horse, but it does not clearly say that its fame is because of its size. Therefore, the information needed to support the statement is not given.
Complete the notes below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Question 9
The question: The Uffington White Horse is near an ancient road known as the ______.
Answer: RIDGEWAY
The notes refer to the ancient route located near the White Horse. The passage identifies this Neolithic track as the Ridgeway, making it the correct answer.
Question 10
The question: The first reference to White Horse Hill appears in ______ from the 1070s.
Answer: DOCUMENTS
The passage mentions that the earliest evidence of the White Horse dates from the 1070s, when White Horse Hill was mentioned in documents from the nearby Abbey of Abingdon.
Question 11
The question: According to analysis of the surrounding ______, the Horse is Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age.
Answer: SOIL
Researchers carried out Optically Stimulated Luminescence testing on soil from the lower layers of the horse's body. The results suggested that the figure was created during the Late Bronze Age or Early Iron Age.
Question 12
The question: The White Horse was a representation of goddess Epona, associated with protection of horses and ______.
Answer: FERTILITY
One theory connects the White Horse with the Celtic horse goddess Epona. The passage says that she was worshipped as a protector of horses and was also associated with fertility.
Question 13
The question: The White Horse was a representation of a Welsh goddess called ______.
Answer: RHIANNON
Another theory suggests that the carving represents a goddess from native mythology, such as Rhiannon. Later Welsh mythology describes her as a woman dressed in gold and riding a white horse.
How to Approach The White Horse of Uffington Reading Answers
In order to solve the White Horse of Uffington reading answers, the strategy to be followed is that of looking for information instead of comprehending everything. Look at the questions carefully, identify helpful words, and compare the meaning of the question with the passage to find the best answer.
Read the Questions Before the Passage: Look through the questions first and identify important words. This gives you an idea of what information you need to find when reading the passage.
Identify Names and Dates: Names such as Uffington, Long Man of Wilmington, Epona, and Rhiannon are useful scanning points. Dates and historical periods can also help you find the correct section quickly.
Look for Paraphrasing: It does not mean that the question will have the exact same words used in the passage. For instance, the question may indicate that there were mistakes regarding the age while the passage mentions that the figure was older than estimated.
Be Careful with Not Given: Avoid choosing NOT GIVEN simply because you are unable to locate the exact words in the passage. Check if the passage has enough information to confirm or deny the statement first.
Answer According to the Order in Passage: Most answers can be found in the same order as information in the passage. If you have located an answer, keep on searching from the place where you found it.
The White Horse of Uffington Reading Answers: Tips to Improve Your Score
To get a better score in the white horse of uffington reading answers, focus on finding information quickly and checking the meaning carefully. You do not need to understand every word in the passage. Good scanning and careful reading can save a lot of time.
Read the Questions First
Read the questions before the passage in detail.
Mark names, dates and other important keywords.
Scan for Specific Information
Look for names, places and historical periods first.
Use these words to locate the right section quickly.
Watch for Synonyms
The passage may use different words with the same meaning.
Do not search only for the exact wording in the question.
Read Around the Answer
Always read the complete sentence before choosing an answer.
Nearby information can change the meaning.
Check the Word Limit
For note completion, follow the given word limit.
Make sure your answer fits grammatically into the sentence.
Use Evidence for T/F/NG
TRUE: The passage agrees with the statement.
FALSE: The passage contradicts it.
NOT GIVEN: The passage does not provide enough information.
Practise With a Timer
Try similar IELTS Reading passages within the recommended time.
Focus on improving speed without losing accuracy.
Conclusion
The White Horse of Uffington reading answers passage is a useful practice text for students preparing for the IELTS Academic Reading test. It covers history, archaeology and different theories about an ancient English geoglyph. By focusing on keywords, paraphrasing and evidence from the passage, you can solve both True/False/Not Given and note-completion questions more accurately.
Regular practice with passages like this can also help you become more comfortable with unfamiliar topics and improve your reading speed over time.
What is The White Horse of Uffington IELTS Reading passage about?
The passage is about ancient geoglyphs in England, with particular focus on the White Horse of Uffington. It discusses the figure's location, age, creation, maintenance and possible purpose, along with different historical and religious theories.
How many questions are there in The White Horse of Uffington Reading passage?
There are 13 questions in total. Questions 1–8 are True/False/Not Given questions, while Questions 9–13 are note-completion questions requiring answers from information in the passage.
Why is the White Horse called a geoglyph?
A geoglyph is a large figure or design made on the ground or landscape. In this passage, the term refers to large figures cut into English hillsides by removing the grass and exposing the chalk underneath.
What evidence was used to date the White Horse?
Researchers used evidence from the surrounding soil to help determine the age of the White Horse. Earlier historical records and comparisons with other objects also helped researchers develop a better understanding of its history.
What is the Ridgeway mentioned in the passage?
The Ridgeway is an ancient route mentioned when describing the location of the White Horse. It is one of the important landmarks used to explain where the figure is situated.
Who was Epona?
Epona was a goddess associated with horses. The passage presents one theory that connects the White Horse with her and mentions her association with fertility, suggesting that the figure may have had a religious meaning.
Who was Rhiannon?
Rhiannon is a figure from later Welsh mythology who is associated with a white horse. The passage presents her as another possible explanation for what the Uffington figure may have represented.
How can I solve True/False/Not Given questions correctly?
First, find the relevant part of the passage and compare its meaning with the statement. Choose TRUE when the information agrees, FALSE when it contradicts the passage, and NOT GIVEN when there is not enough information to decide.
How can I improve my score in this passage?
Practise scanning for names, dates, and important terms while learning to recognise paraphrasing. After completing the questions, review every wrong answer and identify whether the mistake was caused by vocabulary, timing, misunderstanding, or choosing the wrong evidence.
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