While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:Historians have long debated the purpose of Stonehenge in prehistoric...
GMAT Expression of Ideas : (Expression) Questions
While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes:
- Historians have long debated the purpose of Stonehenge in prehistoric Britain.
- A 1960s archaeological study suggested that the monument served as a burial ground for elite members of society.
- Recent excavations in the 2010s revealed evidence of healing rituals and pilgrimages from across Europe.
- Analysis of cremated remains showed many individuals had traveled great distances while suffering from illnesses or injuries.
- These findings led researchers to propose that Stonehenge functioned as a center for healing and spiritual renewal.
The student wants to explain how historical understanding of Stonehenge's purpose has changed. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?
Earlier archaeological work suggested Stonehenge was a burial ground for elites, but recent excavations indicate it may have served as a healing center for pilgrims from across Europe.
Historians have long debated Stonehenge's purpose, with studies in the 1960s and 2010s offering different explanations.
Analysis of cremated remains revealed that many individuals had traveled great distances while suffering from illnesses, according to recent research.
A 1960s study suggested that the monument served as a burial ground, with historians continuing to debate its true purpose.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Historians have long debated the purpose of Stonehenge in prehistoric Britain." |
|
| "A 1960s archaeological study suggested that the monument served as a burial ground for elite members of society." |
|
| "Recent excavations in the 2010s revealed evidence of healing rituals and pilgrimages from across Europe." |
|
| "Analysis of cremated remains showed many individuals had traveled great distances while suffering from illnesses or injuries." |
|
| "These findings led researchers to propose that Stonehenge functioned as a center for healing and spiritual renewal." |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological understanding of Stonehenge has shifted from viewing it as an elite burial site to seeing it as a healing center that attracted pilgrims from across Europe.
Argument Flow: The notes establish a historical debate about Stonehenge's purpose, then present a clear chronological progression from an older theory (1960s burial ground hypothesis) to newer evidence (2010s excavations revealing healing activities), culminating in a revised interpretation that reframes the monument's primary function.
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 correct answer must show a clear contrast between old and new understanding
- It should mention the earlier 1960s theory about burial grounds and contrast it with the recent evidence pointing toward a healing center
- The answer should capture the idea of change or evolution in thinking, not just list different theories
- So the right answer should demonstrate a shift from "burial ground" to "healing center" while showing this is based on different time periods of research
Earlier archaeological work suggested Stonehenge was a burial ground for elites, but recent excavations indicate it may have served as a healing center for pilgrims from across Europe.
- Shows clear temporal progression from "earlier archaeological work" to "recent excavations"
- Explicitly contrasts the burial ground theory with the healing center theory
- Uses "but" to signal the change in understanding
- Directly addresses how understanding has "changed" by showing the shift
Historians have long debated Stonehenge's purpose, with studies in the 1960s and 2010s offering different explanations.
- Too vague about what the different explanations actually are
- Says studies "offered different explanations" but doesn't specify what they were
- Doesn't show the change - just says there are different views
Analysis of cremated remains revealed that many individuals had traveled great distances while suffering from illnesses, according to recent research.
- Only focuses on recent research findings
- Doesn't mention the earlier burial ground theory at all
- Shows no change or evolution - just presents one set of findings
A 1960s study suggested that the monument served as a burial ground, with historians continuing to debate its true purpose.
- Mentions the 1960s study but then says historians "continue to debate"
- Suggests the debate is ongoing rather than showing a shift in understanding
- Doesn't present the newer healing center theory