Archaeologists have held that the Casarabe culture, which emerged in the southwestern Amazon basin in the first millennium CE, was...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Archaeologists have held that the Casarabe culture, which emerged in the southwestern Amazon basin in the first millennium CE, was characterized by a sparse, widely distributed population and little intervention in the surrounding wilderness. Recently, however, archaeologist Heiko Prümers and colleagues conducted a study of the region using remote-sensing technology that enabled them to create three-dimensional images of the jungle-covered landscape from above, and the researchers concluded that the Casarabe people developed a form of urbanism in the Amazon basin.
Which finding about the remote-sensing images, if true, would most directly support Prümers and colleagues' conclusion?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Archaeologists have held that the Casarabe culture, which emerged in the southwestern Amazon basin in the first millennium CE, was characterized by a sparse, widely distributed population and little intervention in the surrounding wilderness.' |
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| 'Recently, however, archaeologist Heiko Prümers and colleagues conducted a study of the region using remote-sensing technology that enabled them to create three-dimensional images of the jungle-covered landscape from above,' |
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| 'and the researchers concluded that the Casarabe people developed a form of urbanism in the Amazon basin.' |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: New remote-sensing research contradicts the traditional view of the Casarabe culture, revealing they actually developed urbanism rather than having sparse, widely distributed settlements.
Argument Flow: The passage sets up a contrast between old and new archaeological understanding. It begins with the established view that the Casarabe had minimal population density and environmental impact, then introduces new remote-sensing research that leads to a completely different conclusion about their having developed urban settlements.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Which finding from the remote-sensing images would most directly support the researchers' conclusion about urbanism.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that would demonstrate urbanism (organized, dense settlements with infrastructure) rather than sparse, widely distributed populations.
Any limiting keywords? 'Most directly support' means we need the strongest, most relevant evidence for urbanism specifically.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer needs to show evidence of urbanism, which would include organized settlements, infrastructure connecting different areas, and dense populations rather than sparse ones
- The key contrast is between the old view (sparse, widely distributed, minimal intervention) and the new conclusion (urbanism)
- So we need evidence of dense settlements, organized infrastructure (roads, canals, planned layout), monumental construction projects, and connected communities rather than isolated ones
- This describes 'widely separated settlements of roughly equal small size' which actually supports the OLD view of sparse, widely distributed populations and contradicts the urbanism conclusion
- This shows paths leading to cities OUTSIDE Casarabe territory which doesn't demonstrate urbanism within Casarabe lands themselves
- This describes 'scattered small farms' near water
- 'Scattered' suggests the same sparse distribution pattern from the old view
- Small farms don't demonstrate urbanism
- This describes 'monumental platforms and dense central settlements linked to smaller settlements by a system of canals and roadways'
- Dense central settlements directly contradicts sparse distribution
- Monumental platforms show significant construction
- Canal and roadway systems demonstrate organized infrastructure and urban planning