Archaeologist Veronica Waweru visited the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. While exploring there, Waweru noticed many rows of shallow pits...

Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage

Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table

Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements

Main Point: Archaeologist Waweru believes she found evidence that mancala was played at a Kenyan site for an extended period, based on discovering layered game pits.

Argument Flow: Waweru discovers carved stone pits and hypothesizes they're ancient mancala boards. She then finds that some newer pits were carved on top of older ones, which leads her to conclude the game was played at this location for a long time.

Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely

The question asks: "According to the text, why does Waweru think that mancala was played at the site for a long time?"

• What's being asked? The specific reason or evidence that led Waweru to her conclusion about long-term use
• What type of answer do we need? A piece of evidence from the passage that supports her reasoning
• Any limiting keywords? "According to the text" means we need direct textual support

Step 3: Prethink the Answer

• Looking at our passage analysis, we can see that Waweru's conclusion about long-term use comes directly after the evidence about pit layers. The text explicitly states: "Some of the more recent pits were carved on top of older pits. This led Waweru to think that the game was played at the site for a long time."
• The key elements the correct answer must have:
  • Reference to the layered nature of the pits (newer over older)
  • Connection to her reasoning about time duration
  • Direct support from the passage text