The Indus River valley civilization flourished in South Asia from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Many examples of the civilization's...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
The Indus River valley civilization flourished in South Asia from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE. Many examples of the civilization's writing system exist, but researchers haven't yet deciphered it or identified which ancient language it represents. Nevertheless, archaeologists have found historical artifacts, such as clay figures and jewelry, that provide information about the civilization's customs and how its communities were organized. The archaeologists' findings therefore suggest that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
investigating an ancient civilization is easier without knowledge of the civilization's language.
knowing an ancient civilization's language isn't necessary in order to learn details about the civilization.
archaeological research should focus on finding additional artifacts rather than deciphering ancient languages.
examining the civilization's historical artifacts has resolved the debate about this civilization's language.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "The Indus River valley civilization flourished in South Asia from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE." |
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| "Many examples of the civilization's writing system exist, but researchers haven't yet deciphered it or identified which ancient language it represents." |
|
| "Nevertheless, archaeologists have found historical artifacts, such as clay figures and jewelry, that provide information about the civilization's customs and how its communities were organized." |
|
| "The archaeologists' findings therefore suggest that ______" |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Even without understanding an ancient civilization's language, archaeologists can still learn valuable information about that civilization through physical artifacts.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes the historical context of the Indus civilization, then presents the research challenge of an undeciphered language system. However, it pivots to show that despite this language barrier, archaeologists have successfully gathered information about the civilization's customs and social organization through physical artifacts.
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 passage creates a clear logical structure: researchers can't read the language, BUT they can still learn about the civilization through artifacts
- The right answer should conclude that understanding a civilization's language isn't required to learn important details about that civilization
investigating an ancient civilization is easier without knowledge of the civilization's language.
- Claims investigating is "easier" without language knowledge
- This goes beyond what the passage supports - it only shows that investigation is still possible, not that it's easier
knowing an ancient civilization's language isn't necessary in order to learn details about the civilization.
- States that knowing the language isn't necessary to learn details about the civilization
- Perfectly matches the passage logic: despite no language knowledge, archaeologists still learned about customs and organization
archaeological research should focus on finding additional artifacts rather than deciphering ancient languages.
- Makes a prescriptive claim about what research "should" focus on
- The passage doesn't argue for prioritizing artifacts over language decipherment
examining the civilization's historical artifacts has resolved the debate about this civilization's language.
- Claims artifacts have "resolved the debate" about the language
- Contradicts the passage, which clearly states the language remains unidentified