WORKSHEET B1-B2
MYSTERIOUS MONOLITH
Part 1. Warm-up
- Have you ever seen or heard about a mysterious object found in nature or in a remote place? What was it?
- Why do you think people are so interested in unexplained or mysterious discoveries?
Part 2. Vocabulary focus
Part 3. Reading – The Mystery of the Utah Monolith
Utah is one of the fifty states of the United States, located in the western part of the country. Large areas of Utah are dry, rocky, and difficult to reach. Because of the harsh landscape and lack of water, very few people live in these places. Some parts of the state are so remote that they can only be reached by helicopter or long hikes through desert terrain. These isolated regions are mainly visited by wildlife officials, researchers, and occasional hikers.
On November 18, wildlife officials were flying over one of these remote areas in a helicopter. Their task that day was to count bighorn sheep, a species that lives in the rocky hills of Utah. While the helicopter was moving slowly above the ground, one of the officials noticed something unusual shining in the sunlight. At first, it looked like a reflection from a rock, but as they flew closer, it became clear that the object was artificial. The official asked the pilot to land so they could investigate.
When they reached the ground, they discovered a strange metal structure standing alone in the desert. It was about ten feet tall and had a triangular shape. The structure was made of metal sheets that were fastened together with rivets. It was firmly embedded in the ground and did not move. Tests showed that the metal was not magnetic. The structure was positioned near a narrow opening in a rock face where water occasionally flows after rain. The officials took several photographs and measurements, but they did not remove the object. After finishing their work, they returned to the helicopter and continued their flight.
Later, one of the officials shared a photo of the structure online. However, the exact location was kept secret. The officials explained that they did not want curious visitors to damage the area or get lost in the desert. Despite this, the image quickly spread across social media and news websites. People all over the world began discussing what the object could be and why it had been placed there.
Many online users suggested that the structure was a piece of modern artwork. Some compared it to the work of an American artist named John McCracken, who was known for creating simple geometric forms using metal and other industrial materials. McCracken had lived in the Utah desert for some time and had been interested in science fiction and extraterrestrial life. Although he had died several years before the discovery, some people believed the structure could be a tribute to him.
Soon, the metal structure became known as the “Utah monolith.” The name came from the famous science fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, released over fifty years ago. In the movie, mysterious black monoliths appear at key moments in human development. Because of this connection, some people jokingly suggested that the Utah monolith had been placed by aliens. Others took the idea more seriously. However, experts quickly pointed out that the construction used simple tools and materials. The use of rivets suggested basic technology, not something created by an advanced civilization.
Internet users then began searching satellite images on Google Earth to find the structure’s location. Within a few days, they succeeded. Once the location became public, many people traveled to the site to take photos and videos. Older satellite images showed that the monolith had likely been placed there in the summer of 2016. This raised even more questions about who had installed it and why it had remained unnoticed for so long.
On the evening of November 27, the situation changed again. The Utah monolith suddenly disappeared. Evidence suggested that someone had used a metal saw to cut it down and remove it from the site. No one claimed responsibility, and no official explanation was given.
Around the same time, similar metal structures appeared in other parts of the world. One was found in Romania, on a hill near the remains of an ancient fortress. Another appeared in California. These later monoliths were poorly made and disappeared quickly. Many people agreed that they were hoaxes or pranks inspired by the original discovery.
Today, the mystery of the Utah monolith remains unsolved. Unlike the later copies, it appeared to be carefully planned and professionally built. No artist or group has ever claimed responsibility. As a result, the Utah monolith has become a modern mystery, showing how a single strange object can capture global attention in the age of the internet.