Excavations conducted at the Pueblo Bonito archaeological location have revealed layered sedimentary evidence that provides insight into multiple cent...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Excavations conducted at the Pueblo Bonito archaeological location have revealed layered sedimentary evidence that provides insight into multiple centuries of human settlement activities. In order to understand the site's evolutionary stages, Elena Rodriguez and her research team analyzed the concentration of artifacts and the sophistication of structural elements within various stratigraphic levels, finding that although specific layers contained sophisticated turquoise ornaments and substantial building stone materials, most sedimentary levels comprised fundamental ceramic shards and rudimentary implement remnants displaying evidence of intermittent site desertion. Rodriguez and her team determined that the sophisticated artifacts suggest periods of accumulated prosperity and extensive construction endeavors, while the fundamental materials represent ongoing daily occupation throughout eras of reduced community scale, prompting the research team to suggest that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
The Pueblo Bonito location maintained a substantial, unified community over an extended timeframe, experiencing intermittent periods of demographic reduction and intervals when reduced, dispersed groups sustained the settlement.
Although the region underwent an extended period of desertion that hindered the establishment of a significant community, prosperity accumulation from external sources occurred.
Reduced community groups inhabited Pueblo Bonito for substantial duration before being succeeded by a substantial, unified population that remained temporarily prior to complete desertion.
A prosperity-sustained significant community existed at Pueblo Bonito for substantial duration, and while external resources faced intermittent interruption, the community remained unaffected.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Excavations conducted at the Pueblo Bonito archaeological location have revealed layered sedimentary evidence that provides insight into multiple centuries of human settlement activities.' |
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| 'In order to understand the site's evolutionary stages, Elena Rodriguez and her research team analyzed the concentration of artifacts and the sophistication of structural elements within various stratigraphic levels,' |
|
| 'finding that although specific layers contained sophisticated turquoise ornaments and substantial building stone materials, most sedimentary levels comprised fundamental ceramic shards and rudimentary implement remnants displaying evidence of intermittent site desertion.' |
|
| 'Rodriguez and her team determined that the sophisticated artifacts suggest periods of accumulated prosperity and extensive construction endeavors, while the fundamental materials represent ongoing daily occupation throughout eras of reduced community scale,' |
|
| 'prompting the research team to suggest that ______' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological evidence shows alternating periods of prosperity with sophisticated construction and smaller-scale daily occupation with basic materials.
Argument Flow: Research method → Contrasting findings → Interpretation → Conclusion
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? Complete the logical conclusion Rodriguez's team would draw based on their interpretation.
What type of answer do we need? A conclusion that follows from the contrasting evidence of sophisticated artifacts (prosperity periods) and basic materials (ongoing smaller-scale occupation).
Any limiting keywords? None specified
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should acknowledge both types of evidence and explain the overall settlement pattern - alternating between larger prosperous communities and smaller groups maintaining ongoing occupation, with intermittent desertion periods.
The Pueblo Bonito location maintained a substantial, unified community over an extended timeframe, experiencing intermittent periods of demographic reduction and intervals when reduced, dispersed groups sustained the settlement.
- Describes substantial unified community with intermittent demographic reduction and intervals of reduced dispersed groups sustaining settlement. This captures the alternating pattern perfectly.
Although the region underwent an extended period of desertion that hindered the establishment of a significant community, prosperity accumulation from external sources occurred.
- Claims extended desertion prevented significant community, contradicting evidence of sophisticated artifacts indicating substantial construction.
Reduced community groups inhabited Pueblo Bonito for substantial duration before being succeeded by a substantial, unified population that remained temporarily prior to complete desertion.
- Suggests specific chronological sequence ending in complete desertion, but passage shows alternating patterns, not single progression.
A prosperity-sustained significant community existed at Pueblo Bonito for substantial duration, and while external resources faced intermittent interruption, the community remained unaffected.
- Claims community remained unaffected by external interruptions, contradicting evidence of intermittent desertion and reduced community scale.