Maize farming in prehistoric North America extended well beyond where it first developed in central Mexico. Archaeological findings demonstrate that...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Maize farming in prehistoric North America extended well beyond where it first developed in central Mexico. Archaeological findings demonstrate that corn agriculture had established itself in the American Southwest by 2000 BCE, even given the harsh desert conditions. Researchers have observed that corn varieties discovered at ancient Southwestern locations exhibit genetic characteristics more similar to central Mexican varieties than to local wild grass species. Furthermore, the advanced water management systems employed by early Southwestern agriculturalists closely resemble those created in Mesoamerica. Consequently, certain academics propose that immediate cultural exchange with Mesoamerican communities, instead of slow regional spread, introduced sophisticated maize farming to the Southwest.
Which finding, if true, would most strongly support the underlined explanation?
Fragments of Mesoamerican ceramics are found at a prehistoric Southwestern farming location from 2000 BCE.
Indigenous grass species from the Southwest prove to be genetically unsuitable for hybridization with ancient corn varieties.
Contemporary Southwestern tribal groups preserve spoken histories regarding traditional agricultural methods transmitted across generations.
Environmental records indicate that the Southwest experienced increased drought conditions following 2000 CE, creating greater challenges for corn farming.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Maize farming in prehistoric North America extended well beyond where it first developed in central Mexico.' |
|
| 'Archaeological findings demonstrate that corn agriculture had established itself in the American Southwest by 2000 BCE, even given the harsh desert conditions.' |
|
| 'Researchers have observed that corn varieties discovered at ancient Southwestern locations exhibit genetic characteristics more similar to central Mexican varieties than to local wild grass species.' |
|
| 'Furthermore, the advanced water management systems employed by early Southwestern agriculturalists closely resemble those created in Mesoamerica.' |
|
| 'Consequently, certain academics propose that immediate cultural exchange with Mesoamerican communities, instead of slow regional spread, introduced sophisticated maize farming to the Southwest.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Evidence suggests that sophisticated maize farming reached the American Southwest through direct cultural exchange with Mesoamerican communities rather than through gradual regional spread.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes that maize farming spread far from its Mexican origins and provides specific evidence from the Southwest. It then presents scientific evidence that supports direct cultural connection rather than independent development.
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
- To support the claim of immediate cultural exchange, we need evidence that shows direct contact or communication between Mesoamerican communities and Southwestern peoples around 2000 BCE
- This could be physical artifacts that traveled from Mesoamerica to the Southwest, evidence of people moving between regions, or cultural/technological items that could not have developed independently
Fragments of Mesoamerican ceramics are found at a prehistoric Southwestern farming location from 2000 BCE.
✓ Correct
- Fragments of Mesoamerican ceramics at a Southwest site from 2000 BCE would be direct physical evidence of cultural exchange
- This matches our prethinking perfectly - physical artifacts that traveled from Mesoamerica to the Southwest during the exact time period
- Ceramics could not have appeared independently; they had to be brought through direct contact
Indigenous grass species from the Southwest prove to be genetically unsuitable for hybridization with ancient corn varieties.
✗ Incorrect
- This choice tells us that local grass species could not hybridize with ancient corn
- This explains why independent development did not happen, but does not support immediate cultural exchange
- The question asks for support of immediate exchange, not just elimination of alternatives
Contemporary Southwestern tribal groups preserve spoken histories regarding traditional agricultural methods transmitted across generations.
✗ Incorrect
- Contemporary tribal histories about traditional agricultural methods deals with modern preservation of knowledge
- This does not provide evidence about ancient cultural exchange from 2000 BCE
- The timing is completely wrong for supporting the historical claim
Environmental records indicate that the Southwest experienced increased drought conditions following 2000 CE, creating greater challenges for corn farming.
✗ Incorrect
- Environmental records about drought are about the wrong time period and do not address cultural exchange
- This discusses farming challenges, not exchange mechanisms