The following text is from an archaeological site report documenting excavation techniques in Peru.The excavation revealed numerous pottery fragments ...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
The following text is from an archaeological site report documenting excavation techniques in Peru.
The excavation revealed numerous pottery fragments scattered throughout the dig site, but the team's attention focused on a cluster found near the ceremonial platform. This distinctive arrangement suggested deliberate placement rather than accidental dispersal, indicating possible ritual significance.
As used in the text, what does the word "distinctive" most nearly mean?
Ancient
Particular
Valuable
Complex
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The excavation revealed numerous pottery fragments scattered throughout the dig site," |
|
| "but the team's attention focused on a cluster found near the ceremonial platform." |
|
| "This distinctive arrangement suggested deliberate placement rather than accidental dispersal," |
|
| "indicating possible ritual significance." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological evidence suggests that a particular cluster of pottery fragments was deliberately arranged for possible ritual purposes.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from general findings to a specific focus, then explains why this cluster was noteworthy, leading to a broader interpretation about ritual significance.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? This is a Words in Context question asking us to determine what "distinctive" means as it's used in this specific passage.
What type of answer do we need? We need to use context clues from the surrounding text to understand how the word functions here.
Any limiting keywords? None specified.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The word "distinctive" is describing an "arrangement" of pottery fragments
- The context tells us this arrangement was different from the general scattering of fragments throughout the site
- So "distinctive" here means this arrangement stood out or was notable in some specific way that made it different from other arrangements
- The right answer should mean something like "notable," "specific," or "particular"
Ancient
- "Ancient" refers to age or time period
- The passage doesn't emphasize the age of this arrangement compared to other fragments
Particular
- "Particular" means specific, notable, or distinguishable
- This perfectly captures how the arrangement stood out from the general scattering of fragments
Valuable
- "Valuable" refers to worth or importance
- While the arrangement may be archaeologically significant, the context focuses on how it appeared different, not on its value
Complex
- "Complex" means complicated or intricate
- The passage doesn't describe the arrangement as complicated but as notably different from random scattering