Archaeological tablets recently unearthed from the ancient city of Ur have yielded unexpected insights into Mesopotamian intellectual capabilities. Co...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Archaeological tablets recently unearthed from the ancient city of Ur have yielded unexpected insights into Mesopotamian intellectual capabilities. Complex mathematical inscriptions on these 4,000-year-old artifacts demonstrate sophisticated algebraic reasoning that scholars had not previously identified from this historical period. The advanced mathematical notation represents a significant revision to our understanding of when abstract mathematical thinking first emerged, while simultaneously demonstrating archaeology's capacity to transform established historical narratives about human cognitive development.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It describes how researchers made an archaeological breakthrough, then explains the significance of that breakthrough.
It presents a theory about ancient mathematics, then provides evidence that contradicts that theory.
It outlines the process used in an archaeological excavation, then evaluates the effectiveness of that process.
It compares different approaches to studying ancient civilizations, then recommends the most successful approach.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Archaeological tablets recently unearthed from the ancient city of Ur have yielded unexpected insights into Mesopotamian intellectual capabilities.' |
|
| 'Complex mathematical inscriptions on these 4,000-year-old artifacts demonstrate sophisticated algebraic reasoning that scholars had not previously identified from this historical period.' |
|
| 'The advanced mathematical notation represents a significant revision to our understanding of when abstract mathematical thinking first emerged, while simultaneously demonstrating archaeology's capacity to transform established historical narratives about human cognitive development.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological tablets from Ur have revealed unexpectedly sophisticated mathematical capabilities from 4,000 years ago, significantly changing our understanding of when abstract mathematical thinking developed.
Argument Flow: The passage begins by announcing an archaeological discovery, then details what was specifically found on these ancient tablets, and finally explains why this discovery matters both for our understanding of mathematical development and for the field of archaeology itself.
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 right answer should describe this pattern: discovery/breakthrough first, then explanation of its significance.
It describes how researchers made an archaeological breakthrough, then explains the significance of that breakthrough.
✓ Correct
- This perfectly matches our passage structure. 'Archaeological breakthrough' captures the tablets discovery and 'Explains the significance' matches how the passage ends by discussing the revision to our understanding.
It presents a theory about ancient mathematics, then provides evidence that contradicts that theory.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't start with a theory about ancient mathematics. It starts with announcing a discovery, not presenting a theory.
It outlines the process used in an archaeological excavation, then evaluates the effectiveness of that process.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage never outlines an excavation process. It simply states that tablets were 'unearthed' but doesn't describe how.
It compares different approaches to studying ancient civilizations, then recommends the most successful approach.
✗ Incorrect
- The passage doesn't compare different approaches to studying ancient civilizations. It focuses on one specific discovery and its implications.