Based on similarities in pottery styles and tool-making techniques, some archaeologists have theorized that ancient civilizations along major trade ro...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Based on similarities in pottery styles and tool-making techniques, some archaeologists have theorized that ancient civilizations along major trade routes developed their material cultures through direct cultural exchange, with smaller settlements adopting practices from larger urban centers without significant modification. Archaeological evidence from several regions supports this theory by showing that rural sites contain artifacts nearly identical to those found in major cities.
Which finding, if true, would most directly challenge this theory?
Excavations reveal that some small settlements developed sophisticated metalworking techniques that exceed those found in contemporary urban centers.
A newly discovered trade route shows evidence of connecting two major civilizations that were previously thought to be isolated.
Analysis of pottery fragments indicates that the clay used in rural areas came from the same quarries used by urban centers.
Carbon dating methods used to establish the chronology of artifact development are found to have a margin of error larger than previously calculated.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Based on similarities in pottery styles and tool-making techniques, some archaeologists have theorized that ancient civilizations along major trade routes developed their material cultures through direct cultural exchange' |
|
| 'with smaller settlements adopting practices from larger urban centers without significant modification' |
|
| 'Archaeological evidence from several regions supports this theory by showing that rural sites contain artifacts nearly identical to those found in major cities.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeologists theorize that smaller settlements developed their cultures by directly copying practices from larger urban centers along trade routes, supported by evidence showing nearly identical artifacts.
Argument Flow: The passage presents a specific archaeological theory about cultural development, explains the directional nature of this exchange (small copying from large), and then provides supporting evidence through artifact similarities across different site types.
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 theory claims that smaller settlements simply copied practices from larger urban centers without significant changes
- To challenge this theory, we'd need evidence showing: Small settlements developing their own innovations independently
- Small settlements creating something more advanced than urban centers
- Evidence of cultural flow going from small to large rather than large to small
- So the right answer should show small settlements being innovative or advanced rather than just copying from cities
Excavations reveal that some small settlements developed sophisticated metalworking techniques that exceed those found in contemporary urban centers.
✓ Correct
- Shows small settlements developing metalworking techniques that exceed those in urban centers
- Directly contradicts the theory that small settlements only adopt practices from cities without modification
- If small settlements are actually more sophisticated in some areas, they're clearly not just passive copiers
A newly discovered trade route shows evidence of connecting two major civilizations that were previously thought to be isolated.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows evidence of more cultural exchange connections between civilizations
- This would actually support rather than challenge the theory by providing more evidence of cultural exchange
- Doesn't address the direction or nature of cultural adoption
Analysis of pottery fragments indicates that the clay used in rural areas came from the same quarries used by urban centers.
✗ Incorrect
- Shows that rural and urban areas used the same clay sources
- This supports the theory by providing a mechanism for why artifacts would be similar
Carbon dating methods used to establish the chronology of artifact development are found to have a margin of error larger than previously calculated.
✗ Incorrect
- Addresses methodological concerns about carbon dating accuracy
- This questions our ability to date artifacts but doesn't challenge the theory about cultural exchange patterns