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Listen to an Academic Talk Test #048
Listen to an Academic Talk
1. What is the main subject of the talk?
A) Famous archaeological discoveries of the 20th century
B) The artistic techniques of prehistoric painters
C) A significant site of Paleolithic cave art
D) The symbolic meaning of animals in ancient cultures
2. What caused the original Lascaux cave to be closed?
A) A lack of public interest in the site
B) The risk of damage from visitors
C) The discovery of new, more impressive caves
D) A request from the original discoverers
3. What can be inferred about the view of Paleolithic humans before 1940?
A) They were thought to be artistically unskilled.
B) They were known to live in large communities.
C) They were believed to have a complex social structure.
D) They were considered to be skilled architects.
4. Why does the speaker mention Lascaux II?
A) To describe the original name of the cave
B) To explain how the paintings are being preserved
C) To show how the public can still view the art
D) To highlight a new section of the cave system
Professor: This morning, we're going back in time—about 17,000 years, in fact—to discuss the magnificent cave paintings of Lascaux in southwestern France. These paintings were discovered accidentally in 1940 by four teenagers whose dog had fallen into a hole.
Inside, they found a complex of caves covered in over 600 paintings, mostly of large animals like bulls, horses, and stags. The sophistication and vibrant colors of this art were stunning. It completely changed our understanding of the cognitive and artistic abilities of Paleolithic humans. The purpose isn't fully known, but the art likely had a symbolic or ritualistic function.
Unfortunately, the original cave was closed to the public in 1963. The carbon dioxide from visitors' breath was damaging the paintings. To solve this, authorities created an exact replica of the main cave sections, known as Lascaux II, nearby, so visitors can still experience this prehistoric marvel without harming the original.
Inside, they found a complex of caves covered in over 600 paintings, mostly of large animals like bulls, horses, and stags. The sophistication and vibrant colors of this art were stunning. It completely changed our understanding of the cognitive and artistic abilities of Paleolithic humans. The purpose isn't fully known, but the art likely had a symbolic or ritualistic function.
Unfortunately, the original cave was closed to the public in 1963. The carbon dioxide from visitors' breath was damaging the paintings. To solve this, authorities created an exact replica of the main cave sections, known as Lascaux II, nearby, so visitors can still experience this prehistoric marvel without harming the original.
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