In present-day Chiapas, Mexico, archaeologist Robert Rosenswig, remote-sensing specialist Ricardo López-Torrijos, and colleagues have located 41 small...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Source: Practice Test
Information and Ideas
Central Ideas and Details
MEDIUM
...
...
Notes
Post a Query
In present-day Chiapas, Mexico, archaeologist Robert Rosenswig, remote-sensing specialist Ricardo López-Torrijos, and colleagues have located 41 smaller settlements surrounding the ancient Mesoamerican city of Izapa. The researchers have concluded that these settlements were culturally linked to Izapa because each of the settlements is the same age and configured in the same manner as Izapa, with a pyramid to the north and a plaza to the south. Their shared structural orientation suggests that residents of the settlements likely performed some of the same cultural ceremonies as residents in Izapa did.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
A
Researchers have determined that the arrangement of Izapa's structures was based on those of other nearby settlements.
B
Cultural ceremonies in Izapa seem to have played a more important role for its residents than those in smaller, surrounding settlements did.
C
Although archaeologists have learned much about Izapa over years of research, they have only recently found the smaller settlements that surrounded it.
D
Researchers have inferred that Izapa was related to the smaller settlements that surrounded it based in part on the similarity of their construction.
Solution
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In present-day Chiapas, Mexico, archaeologist Robert Rosenswig, remote-sensing specialist Ricardo López-Torrijos, and colleagues have located 41 smaller settlements surrounding the ancient Mesoamerican city of Izapa.' |
|
| 'The researchers have concluded that these settlements were culturally linked to Izapa because each of the settlements is the same age and configured in the same manner as Izapa, with a pyramid to the north and a plaza to the south.' |
|
| 'Their shared structural orientation suggests that residents of the settlements likely performed some of the same cultural ceremonies as residents in Izapa did.' |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers have determined that 41 settlements surrounding Izapa were culturally connected to the city based on their identical age and structural layout.
Argument Flow: The passage moves from discovery to conclusion to implication. It starts with what researchers found, then explains their reasoning for concluding the settlements were culturally linked (same age and layout), and finally suggests what this cultural connection probably meant (similar ceremonies).
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
- What's being asked? The main idea of the entire text
- What type of answer do we need? A statement that captures the central message or primary focus of the passage
- Any limiting keywords? 'Best states' - we need the choice that most accurately and completely represents what the passage is fundamentally about
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- Researchers studied settlements around Izapa
- They concluded these settlements were culturally linked to Izapa
- This conclusion was based on evidence (same age and structural layout)
- The connection suggests shared cultural practices
Answer Choices Explained
A
Researchers have determined that the arrangement of Izapa's structures was based on those of other nearby settlements.
✗ Incorrect
- Says Izapa's arrangement was based on other settlements
- This reverses the actual relationship described in the passage
B
Cultural ceremonies in Izapa seem to have played a more important role for its residents than those in smaller, surrounding settlements did.
✗ Incorrect
- Makes a comparison about the importance of ceremonies between Izapa and settlements
- The passage doesn't compare the relative importance of ceremonies
C
Although archaeologists have learned much about Izapa over years of research, they have only recently found the smaller settlements that surrounded it.
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on the timeline of archaeological discovery
- The passage doesn't emphasize when the settlements were discovered
D
Researchers have inferred that Izapa was related to the smaller settlements that surrounded it based in part on the similarity of their construction.
✓ Correct
- Accurately captures that researchers made inferences about the relationship between Izapa and surrounding settlements based on construction similarities
- Matches the evidence provided in the passage
Rate this Solution
Tell us what you think about this solution
...
...
Forum Discussions
Start a new discussion
Post
Load More
Similar Questions
Finding similar questions...
Previous Attempts
Loading attempts...
Similar Questions
Finding similar questions...
Parallel Question Generator
Create AI-generated questions with similar patterns to master this question type.