Archaeologists have long assumed that the ancient Mayan settlement of Caracol was abandoned around 900 CE due to resource depletion...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Archaeologists have long assumed that the ancient Mayan settlement of Caracol was abandoned around 900 CE due to resource depletion and environmental degradation. However, Dr. Elena Rodriguez and her research team challenge this traditional explanation. After examining newly discovered artifacts and analyzing settlement patterns across the region, they argue that Caracol may not have been completely abandoned during this period.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the team's argument?
Archaeological evidence shows continuous pottery production and food preparation activities at Caracol between 900-1000 CE.
Other Mayan settlements in the region show similar patterns of population decline during the same time period.
Environmental data indicates that the region experienced severe drought conditions throughout the 9th and 10th centuries.
Caracol's population had grown significantly larger than previously estimated before 900 CE.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Archaeologists have long assumed that the ancient Mayan settlement of Caracol was abandoned around 900 CE due to resource depletion and environmental degradation.' |
|
| 'However, Dr. Elena Rodriguez and her research team challenge this traditional explanation.' |
|
| 'After examining newly discovered artifacts and analyzing settlement patterns across the region, they argue that Caracol may not have been completely abandoned during this period.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture
Main Point: Dr. Rodriguez's team challenges the traditional view that Caracol was completely abandoned around 900 CE, arguing instead that it may have maintained some level of occupation.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes the long-held archaeological consensus about Caracol's abandonment. It then introduces Dr. Rodriguez's team as challengers to this view. Finally, it explains that their challenge is based on new evidence and concludes with their specific argument that the abandonment may not have been complete.
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 team's argument is that Caracol may not have been completely abandoned around 900 CE
- To support this argument, we'd need evidence showing that people were still living there or using the settlement after 900 CE
- The strongest support would be direct evidence of continued human activity after the supposed abandonment date
Archaeological evidence shows continuous pottery production and food preparation activities at Caracol between 900-1000 CE.
✓ Correct
- Shows continuous pottery production and food preparation between 900-1000 CE.
- This directly contradicts the idea of complete abandonment - you can't make pottery and prepare food without people actively living there
- Perfectly matches what we need: concrete evidence of ongoing human activity after the supposed abandonment date
Other Mayan settlements in the region show similar patterns of population decline during the same time period.
✗ Incorrect
- States that other settlements also declined during the same period.
- This actually supports the traditional abandonment view rather than challenging it
- Shows a regional pattern that would strengthen the original explanation, not Rodriguez's team's argument
Environmental data indicates that the region experienced severe drought conditions throughout the 9th and 10th centuries.
✗ Incorrect
- Provides environmental data showing severe drought conditions.
- This supports the traditional view that environmental problems caused abandonment
- Gives more evidence FOR abandonment, not against it
Caracol's population had grown significantly larger than previously estimated before 900 CE.
✗ Incorrect
- Information about population size before 900 CE.
- Tells us nothing about whether people stayed after 900 CE
- Irrelevant to the question of continued occupation during the supposed abandonment period