The Roadmap Report

B2 Unit 9:
1: The personal
mystery of
trainer
Long Meg Corresponds with Lessons 9A,
1C9B
XXXX
& 9C

BEFORE YOU WATCH

1 Work in pairs. Look at the photo and

discuss the questions.
1 What do you think the photo shows?
2 Have you ever visited anywhere like
this? Where?
3 Why do you think the stones are there?
4 Why do you think people are interested
in places like these?

2 a Read the article and answer the

questions.
1 What else originated during the same
period as stone circles?

2 Why did the stones start to become

decorated? b Read the article again. Complete the definitions with the words
in bold.
1 (n) a very hard, grey rock, often used in building
3 What natural materials are the stones 2 (n) a line in the form of a curve that winds around a central
made from? point, moving further away from the centre all the time
3 (n) people who study ancient societies by examining what
remains of their buildings, tools, and graves
4 How do historians know one person 4 (n) the time when the sun is furthest north or south of
didn’t build each circle? the equator
5 (adj) changed in colour or shape because of the effect of
the sun, rain and wind
5 What has been found in the middle of 6 (n) a type of soft yellow or red rock, often used in buildings
some stone circles?
3 a You are going to watch a video about a stone circle called Long Meg
and Her Daughters. Why do you think it was given this name?

b Watch the video and check your predictions.

The story of the stone circles

The history behind the long-lasting stone circles scattered around the UK
By Harry Yates, 11th April

S tonehenge is known around the world for being one of

the must-see historical places when visiting the UK,
particularly during the summer solstice, but did you know
there are actually an estimated 1300 other stone circles all
over the UK?
Stone circles are a tradition that developed in Britain at around
the same time as agriculture – between 2000 and 3000 BCE.
Then, some of the more decorative circles such as those with
spiral patterns, came in around 2400 BCE, when the first use
of metal tools began. The first is believed to have been in the
Scottish Orkney Islands, with the trend then spreading further
south into England. So, how were they built?
Well, made from sandstone or granite, many of the stones
are too heavy for one person to lift, so it would have taken a
considerable number of workers to move them into their final
positions. However, there are no buildings left from this period,
so historians have wondered for some time if they were built
around local settlements, or if people travelled to help build and
appreciate these great monuments. Historians have, however,
been able to determine that many of the stones originated in the
areas local to where they stand in the present day, due to their
weathered appearance.
Many burial sites have been found within the stone circles by
archaeologists, as well as numerous other historical objects
around them, such as a royal cup.

PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2020

 The Roadmap Report
B2 Unit 9:
1: The personal
mystery of
trainer
Long Meg Corresponds with Lessons 9A,
WHILE YOU WATCH
4 Watch the video again. Choose the correct
alternatives.
1 Long Meg is a family of standing stones/
stone circles.
2 The stones have been proven to date back
hundreds/thousands of years.
3 Long Meg is unique, because she is made
from the same type/a different type of
stone than her Daughters.
4 Long Meg’s Daughters are not decorated/
covered in spiral patterns.
5 One of the theories behind the stone circle
is that they were built to increase sound/
drum on during performances.
6 The historian says they will probably never
work out the mystery of/be able to
accurately date Long Meg and Her
Daughters.
5 a Complete the sentences with no more
than two words or a number.
1 The archaeologist has had the stones dated
back years.
2 Long Meg is made from a rock.
3 Long Meg’s design can often be found in
and .
4 During the Winter Solstice, Long Meg casts
a straight directly to the centre
of the stones.
5 It has been suggested this wonder
signalled a yearly event or . • the theories behind it
b Watch the video from 01:12–2:21 and
check your answers.
PHOTOCOPIABLE © Pearson Education Limited 2020
1C9B
XXXX
& 9C
6 Watch the video again from 02:29–03:14. Tick the information
given about the stone circle.
They are still a mystery.
They have confirmed the theories.
They connected places together.
They boost sound.
They may have been used for shows.
People come to drum there.
They have records from when they were built.
They are built facing West.
7 a Work in pairs. Read the extract from the video. What do you
think retain a bit of her mystery means?
Dot: Sadly, we have no written records from the time. All that is
left is the stone circle and Long Meg.
Hannah: Well, thank you so much for showing me around and, yeah,
I think it’s quite nice Long Meg can retain a bit of her mystery.
b Can you think of another historical place that has retained its
mystery? What do you know about it?
AFTER YOU WATCH
8 Work in pairs. Discuss the questions.
1 What do you think these stones might have been built for? Why?
2 Do you think we will ever be able to explain the mystery of Long
Meg and Her Daughters? Why/Why not?
3 Are there any mysterious places like this in your country?
9 a Work in small groups. Research a mysterious place or event.
Think about:
• where it is/happened
• why it is significant
b Share your findings with the class.