Gorgets, or necklaces with large pendants, have been part of the ceremonial attire of tribes from the US Southeast for...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Gorgets, or necklaces with large pendants, have been part of the ceremonial attire of tribes from the US Southeast for centuries. One of the oldest examples, the Fairfield Gorget, was found in Fairfield, Missouri, in 1958. Its overall design resembles that of other art from the region during the Mississippian period (900–1600 CE). Yet the image on the gorget is of a jaguar—a species whose range doesn't extend to Missouri. Jaguar images are common in ancient Mexican art, and Mexico lies squarely in the species' range. Therefore, some scholars argue that long-distance trade in Mexican art objects brought the imagery to Missouri, where a local artist could have adopted it and incorporated it into the Fairfield Gorget.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the underlined explanation?
The Fairfield Gorget is dated not to the Mississippian period but instead to the earlier Woodland period, which ended around 900 CE.
The range of the jaguar is shown to have expanded dramatically after the Mississippian period came to a close around 1600 CE.
An ancient Mexican art object is found at a site that dates to the Mississippian period and is close to where the Fairfield Gorget was found.
Certain works by present-day artists from Southeastern tribes reflect outside cultural influences, including contemporary Mexican art.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Gorgets, or necklaces with large pendants, have been part of the ceremonial attire of tribes from the US Southeast for centuries." |
|
| "One of the oldest examples, the Fairfield Gorget, was found in Fairfield, Missouri, in 1958." |
|
| "Its overall design resembles that of other art from the region during the Mississippian period (900-1600 CE)." |
|
| "Yet the image on the gorget is of a jaguar—a species whose range doesn't extend to Missouri." |
|
| "Jaguar images are common in ancient Mexican art, and Mexico lies squarely in the species' range." |
|
| "Therefore, some scholars argue that long-distance trade in Mexican art objects brought the imagery to Missouri, where a local artist could have adopted it and incorporated it into the Fairfield Gorget." |
|
Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: The presence of jaguar imagery on a Missouri gorget that otherwise fits regional artistic traditions suggests long-distance trade connections brought Mexican artistic influences to the area.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes gorgets as traditional ceremonial items, introduces the Fairfield Gorget as regionally typical except for one puzzling detail—jaguar imagery from a species not found in Missouri. It then connects this to Mexican artistic traditions and presents a scholarly theory that trade relationships explain how this foreign imagery reached a local Missouri artist.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? We need to identify which finding would most strongly support the underlined scholarly explanation—that long-distance trade in Mexican art objects brought jaguar imagery to Missouri, where a local artist incorporated it into the Fairfield Gorget.
What type of answer do we need? Evidence that would strengthen a specific theory — A finding that supports the trade connection between Mexico and Missouri
Any limiting keywords? "most strongly support" - we need the best evidence
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The right answer should provide evidence of actual trade connections between Mexico and the Missouri area during the relevant time period (Mississippian period, 900-1600 CE)
- It should show that Mexican art objects actually reached the region where the Fairfield Gorget was found
The Fairfield Gorget is dated not to the Mississippian period but instead to the earlier Woodland period, which ended around 900 CE.
✗ Incorrect
- This places the gorget in the earlier Woodland period instead of Mississippian period
- This would actually weaken the scholars' argument by changing the timeframe
The range of the jaguar is shown to have expanded dramatically after the Mississippian period came to a close around 1600 CE.
✗ Incorrect
- This describes jaguar range expansion after 1600 CE, but the gorget dates to the Mississippian period (900-1600 CE)
- The timing is wrong and doesn't address the trade theory
An ancient Mexican art object is found at a site that dates to the Mississippian period and is close to where the Fairfield Gorget was found.
✓ Correct
- Provides direct evidence of a Mexican art object found near the Fairfield Gorget location during the Mississippian period
- This strongly supports the trade theory by showing Mexican objects actually reached the area
Certain works by present-day artists from Southeastern tribes reflect outside cultural influences, including contemporary Mexican art.
✗ Incorrect
- Discusses present-day artists and contemporary influences, not ancient trade relationships
- The timeframe is completely wrong for supporting a theory about Mississippian period trade