Ancient surgical practices in the Mediterranean region show remarkable sophistication. Greek physicians in classical Athens performed complex cataract...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Ancient surgical practices in the Mediterranean region show remarkable sophistication. Greek physicians in classical Athens performed complex cataract surgeries using bronze needles to displace clouded lenses. These procedures required precise anatomical knowledge and steady technique. Archaeological evidence indicates that Greek doctors learned these methods from Egyptian practitioners, who had been performing similar operations along the Nile for over a millennium. Egyptian medical papyri describe detailed surgical protocols that closely match later Greek practices.
According to the text, what does archaeological evidence indicate about Greek civilization?
Greek civilization developed cataract surgery independently of other cultures.
Greek civilization learned surgical techniques from Egyptian medical practitioners.
Greek civilization focused more on theoretical knowledge than practical medicine.
Greek civilization kept its medical discoveries secret from neighboring regions.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Ancient surgical practices in the Mediterranean region show remarkable sophistication.' |
|
| 'Greek physicians in classical Athens performed complex cataract surgeries using bronze needles to displace clouded lenses.' |
|
| 'These procedures required precise anatomical knowledge and steady technique.' |
|
| 'Archaeological evidence indicates that Greek doctors learned these methods from Egyptian practitioners, who had been performing similar operations along the Nile for over a millennium.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological evidence reveals that Greek surgical techniques were learned from Egyptian practitioners rather than developed independently.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that ancient Mediterranean surgery was sophisticated, then gives the specific example of Greek cataract surgery. The key revelation comes when archaeological evidence shows these Greek techniques were actually learned from Egyptians who had been practicing such surgery for over a millennium.
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 passage explicitly states that 'Archaeological evidence indicates that Greek doctors learned these methods from Egyptian practitioners.'
- So the correct answer must reflect this learning relationship between Greek and Egyptian medical practices.
Greek civilization developed cataract surgery independently of other cultures.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Greeks developed cataract surgery independently
- This directly contradicts the archaeological evidence showing they learned from Egyptians
Greek civilization learned surgical techniques from Egyptian medical practitioners.
✓ Correct
- Matches exactly what the passage states about Greeks learning medical methods from Egyptian practitioners
Greek civilization focused more on theoretical knowledge than practical medicine.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests Greeks focused on theory over practice
- The passage emphasizes Greek practical surgical skills with no archaeological evidence about theoretical focus
Greek civilization kept its medical discoveries secret from neighboring regions.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Greeks kept medical discoveries secret
- The passage mentions no secrecy and actually shows learning from others