In 2022, researchers rediscovered ancient indigenous glyphs, or drawings, on the walls of a cave in Alabama. The cave's ceiling...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
In 2022, researchers rediscovered ancient indigenous glyphs, or drawings, on the walls of a cave in Alabama. The cave's ceiling was only a few feet high, affording no position from which the glyphs, being as wide as ten feet, could be viewed or photographed in their entirety. However, the researchers used a technique called photogrammetry to assemble numerous photos of the walls into a 3D model. They then worked with representatives of tribes originally from the region, including the Chickasaw Nation, to understand the significance of the animal and humanoid figures adorning the cave.
According to the text, what challenge did the researchers have to overcome to examine the glyphs?
The cave was so remote that the researchers couldn't easily reach it.
Some of the glyphs were so faint that they couldn't be photographed.
The researchers were unable to create a 3D model of the cave.
The cave's dimensions prevented the researchers from fully viewing the glyphs.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "In 2022, researchers rediscovered ancient indigenous glyphs, or drawings, on the walls of a cave in Alabama." |
|
| "The cave's ceiling was only a few feet high, affording no position from which the glyphs, being as wide as ten feet, could be viewed or photographed in their entirety." |
|
| "However, the researchers used a technique called photogrammetry to assemble numerous photos of the walls into a 3D model." |
|
| "They then worked with representatives of tribes originally from the region, including the Chickasaw Nation, to understand the significance of the animal and humanoid figures adorning the cave." |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers overcame the physical limitations of a cave to study ancient indigenous glyphs by using modern photogrammetry techniques and collaborating with tribal representatives.
Argument Flow: The passage first establishes the 2022 discovery, then immediately identifies the core challenge (cave dimensions preventing full viewing), explains the technical solution (photogrammetry), and concludes with the interpretive collaboration with indigenous tribes.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The question asks us to identify what challenge the researchers had to overcome to examine the glyphs.
What type of answer do we need? We need a specific obstacle or difficulty mentioned in the text that the researchers faced.
Any limiting keywords? "According to the text" tells us we must find something explicitly stated in the passage, not make inferences.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage clearly states that the cave's ceiling was only a few feet high, and the glyphs were as wide as ten feet
- This combination meant there was no position from which the researchers could view or photograph the glyphs in their entirety
- This is the specific challenge mentioned in the text
- The correct answer should focus on the dimensional/spatial problem created by the cave's low ceiling and the glyphs' large size
The cave was so remote that the researchers couldn't easily reach it.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims the cave was too remote to reach easily
- The passage never mentions location accessibility or difficulty reaching the cave
Some of the glyphs were so faint that they couldn't be photographed.
✗ Incorrect
- Suggests the glyphs were too faint to photograph
- The passage doesn't mention anything about the glyphs being faint or difficult to see
- The challenge was about viewing position, not image quality
The researchers were unable to create a 3D model of the cave.
✗ Incorrect
- States researchers couldn't create a 3D model
- This directly contradicts the passage, which says they successfully "used a technique called photogrammetry to assemble numerous photos of the walls into a 3D model"
The cave's dimensions prevented the researchers from fully viewing the glyphs.
✓ Correct
- Accurately identifies that the cave's dimensions prevented full viewing of the glyphs
- Matches exactly what the passage states: the low ceiling and wide glyphs meant there was "no position from which the glyphs...could be viewed or photographed in their entirety"