Ancient pottery fragments discovered across multiple continents reveal sophisticated glazing techniques that have puzzled archaeologists for decades. ...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Ancient pottery fragments discovered across multiple continents reveal sophisticated glazing techniques that have puzzled archaeologists for decades. Recent analysis suggests that ceramic artisans in both medieval Japan and pre-Columbian Peru developed nearly identical methods for creating lustrous, metallic finishes on their pottery. In Peru, artisans achieved these effects by firing vessels in oxygen-reduced environments while introducing copper-bearing materials during the final heating phase. Though Japanese potters had access to different raw materials and firing technologies, archaeologists conclude that they employed fundamentally similar reduction techniques to produce comparable metallic sheens on their ceremonial vessels.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
The pottery techniques used in medieval Japan were more advanced than those developed by pre-Columbian Peruvian artisans because Japanese potters had access to superior raw materials and firing technologies.
Archaeologists believe that ceramic artisans in medieval Japan and pre-Columbian Peru may have used similar glazing methods to achieve metallic finishes even though they had access to different materials and technologies.
The lustrous, metallic pottery finishes found in both Japan and Peru were created long before archaeologists developed the analytical techniques needed to understand how these effects were achieved.
Archaeologists cannot explain how medieval Japanese potters created metallic finishes on their pottery when they lacked the copper-bearing materials that were essential for the Peruvian technique.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Ancient pottery fragments discovered across multiple continents reveal sophisticated glazing techniques that have puzzled archaeologists for decades.' |
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| 'Recent analysis suggests that ceramic artisans in both medieval Japan and pre-Columbian Peru developed nearly identical methods for creating lustrous, metallic finishes on their pottery.' |
|
| 'In Peru, artisans achieved these effects by firing vessels in oxygen-reduced environments while introducing copper-bearing materials during the final heating phase.' |
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| 'Though Japanese potters had access to different raw materials and firing technologies, archaeologists conclude that they employed fundamentally similar reduction techniques to produce comparable metallic sheens on their ceremonial vessels.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Recent archaeological analysis reveals that ceramic artisans in medieval Japan and pre-Columbian Peru independently developed nearly identical glazing techniques to create metallic finishes on pottery, despite having access to different materials and technologies.
Argument Flow: The passage opens by establishing a historical mystery about sophisticated pottery techniques found worldwide. It then presents the key discovery that Japanese and Peruvian artisans used similar methods despite geographical separation. The passage supports this claim by detailing Peru's specific technique and then showing how Japan achieved comparable results through fundamentally similar reduction methods, even though they worked with different raw materials and firing technologies.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text.
What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central message or primary focus of the passage.
Any limiting keywords? 'best states' - we need the most accurate representation of the main idea.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should capture that archaeologists have discovered similar pottery techniques used by two geographically separated cultures (Japan and Peru)
- It should acknowledge that these artisans achieved similar results (metallic finishes) despite having different materials and technologies available to them
- The answer should also reflect that this is based on archaeological analysis or conclusions
The pottery techniques used in medieval Japan were more advanced than those developed by pre-Columbian Peruvian artisans because Japanese potters had access to superior raw materials and firing technologies.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Japanese techniques were 'more advanced' than Peruvian ones
- Contradicts the passage, which emphasizes the techniques were 'nearly identical' and 'fundamentally similar'
- The passage never suggests one culture's methods were superior to the other's
Archaeologists believe that ceramic artisans in medieval Japan and pre-Columbian Peru may have used similar glazing methods to achieve metallic finishes even though they had access to different materials and technologies.
✓ Correct
- States that archaeologists believe both cultures 'may have used similar glazing methods' - matches our passage analysis
- Acknowledges they 'had access to different materials and technologies' - directly supported by the text
- Captures the main discovery about similar techniques despite different resources
- Uses appropriately cautious language that reflects archaeological conclusions
The lustrous, metallic pottery finishes found in both Japan and Peru were created long before archaeologists developed the analytical techniques needed to understand how these effects were achieved.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the timing of when archaeologists developed analytical techniques
- This timing element isn't the main point - the passage is about the discovery of similar techniques, not when we became able to analyze them
Archaeologists cannot explain how medieval Japanese potters created metallic finishes on their pottery when they lacked the copper-bearing materials that were essential for the Peruvian technique.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims archaeologists 'cannot explain' the Japanese techniques
- Directly contradicts the passage, which states that archaeologists 'conclude' Japanese potters used similar reduction techniques
- The passage presents an explanation, not a mystery that remains unsolved