Integrated Listening and Reading — 9

Crop circles (round shapes in the fields seen from above) are not a modern phenomenon. As early as the late 17^th century, circular designs were found in the fields and recorded in academic texts. However, the large number of eyewitness reports from England to Australia since 1970 has encouraged a more thorough examination of this phenomenon. To date, reports of more than 10,000 crop circles from almost thirty countries have been collected. Within the past thirty years, the designs have increased in complexity, including rings, lines and geometrical figures.

One of the problems associated with a serious scientific study of crop circles is the large number of hoaxers who have been discovered or who have admitted to having been a part of elaborate deceptions. Besides the famous team of Doug and Dave, who were attributed with creating a large number of circles in Britain, groups in New Zealand and in North America have been identified. Apparently, they flattened the crops by tromping through the field with heavy boots or by fastening planks of wood onto their boots to create intricate patterns without making footprints. In several experiments, most notably the 1998 demonstration supported by the Discovery Channel, a group of trained circle makers was paid to create patterns. The Discovery Channel test in New Zealand was mounted to prove that it was possible for teams to create patterns in a relatively short period of time. In less than four hours, they were able to make 100 circles intersecting in a pattern thirty feet in diameter. Critics pointed out that the location lent itself to secrecy, unlike other more populated sites where circles had been discovered. They also criticised the demonstration because, although the team worked at night, the area was very well-lighted.