A research team led by Dr. Maria Gonzalez studied two indigenous communities in the Andes that have maintained traditional weaving...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A research team led by Dr. Maria Gonzalez studied two indigenous communities in the Andes that have maintained traditional weaving practices for centuries. The Quechua community preserved \(73\%\) of their original textile techniques, with the remaining elements adapted from neighboring Aymara practices. Meanwhile, the Aymara community retained \(91\%\) of their ancestral weaving methods, incorporating only minor influences from Quechua traditions. Historical records suggest these communities exchanged cultural practices extensively during a brief period of increased trade contact between 1650 and 1700. Assuming that Gonzalez's findings are accurate, it can be inferred that _____
Which choice most logically completes the text?
the period of cultural exchange resulted in greater divergence from ancestral practices among the Quechua than among the Aymara.
the Quechua community's weaving techniques demonstrate more innovation than those of the Aymara community.
modern Quechua textiles would likely show more genetic diversity in their fiber sources than modern Aymara textiles.
if subjected to further analysis, both communities would probably reveal additional periods of cultural exchange in their histories.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A research team led by Dr. Maria Gonzalez studied two indigenous communities in the Andes that have maintained traditional weaving practices for centuries." |
|
| "The Quechua community preserved 73 percent of their original textile techniques, with the remaining elements adapted from neighboring Aymara practices." |
|
| "Meanwhile, the Aymara community retained 91 percent of their ancestral weaving methods, incorporating only minor influences from Quechua traditions." |
|
| "Historical records suggest these communities exchanged cultural practices extensively during a brief period of increased trade contact between 1650 and 1700." |
|
Main Point: Dr. Gonzalez's research shows that two Andean communities have different levels of preservation of their original weaving practices, with the Aymara retaining more of their ancestral methods than the Quechua.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The key data points are: Quechua preserved 73% original (lost 27%), Aymara preserved 91% original (lost 9%), and both communities had extensive cultural exchange during 1650-1700
- The right answer should recognize that the Quechua community diverged more from their ancestral practices than the Aymara community did
the period of cultural exchange resulted in greater divergence from ancestral practices among the Quechua than among the Aymara.
✓ Correct
- This directly matches our prethinking - Quechua lost 27% of original practices while Aymara lost only 9%
- The phrase about greater divergence accurately describes the numerical difference
the Quechua community's weaving techniques demonstrate more innovation than those of the Aymara community.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Quechua techniques show more innovation than Aymara techniques
- The passage provides preservation data, not innovation data - these are different concepts
modern Quechua textiles would likely show more genetic diversity in their fiber sources than modern Aymara textiles.
✗ Incorrect
- Discusses genetic diversity in fiber sources which isn't mentioned anywhere in the passage
- This introduces completely new information not supported by the passage
if subjected to further analysis, both communities would probably reveal additional periods of cultural exchange in their histories.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests both communities would reveal additional periods of cultural exchange
- The passage only provides data about one historical period and current preservation rates