Many archaeologists assume that large-scale engineering projects in ancient societies required an elite class to plan and direct the necessary...
GMAT Craft and Structure : (Structure) Questions
Many archaeologists assume that large-scale engineering projects in ancient societies required an elite class to plan and direct the necessary labor. However, recent discoveries, such as the excavation of an ancient canal near the Gulf Coast of Alabama, have complicated this picture. Using radiocarbon dating, a team of researchers concluded that the 1.39-kilometer-long canal was most likely constructed between 576 and 650 CE by an Indigenous society that was relatively free of social classes.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Many archaeologists assume that large-scale engineering projects in ancient societies required an elite class to plan and direct the necessary labor.' |
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| 'However, recent discoveries, such as the excavation of an ancient canal near the Gulf Coast of Alabama, have complicated this picture.' |
|
| 'Using radiocarbon dating, a team of researchers concluded that the 1.39-kilometer-long canal was most likely constructed between 576 and 650 CE by an Indigenous society that was relatively free of social classes.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Recent archaeological discoveries challenge the assumption that large-scale ancient engineering projects required elite social classes to organize them.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes a common archaeological assumption, then immediately challenges it with specific counter-evidence. The structure moves from general belief to specific contradictory finding, supported by concrete research details.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
What's being asked? The overall structure of the text - how it's organized and flows
What type of answer do we need? A description that captures the passage's organizational pattern
Any limiting keywords? 'Overall structure' means we need to see the big picture flow, not focus on small details
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The passage has a clear two-part structure
- First, it presents what archaeologists generally believe about ancient engineering projects - that they needed elite classes
- Then it immediately pivots with 'However' to present new evidence that challenges this belief
- The Alabama canal discovery shows a major project built by a society without social classes, which directly contradicts the opening assumption
- So the right answer should describe this pattern of: established view then contradictory new evidence
- Matches our structure perfectly - 'common view' equals the archaeological assumption, 'recent finding that challenges' equals the Alabama canal evidence
- The word 'challenges' captures how the However transition works
- Aligns with our prethinking about established view then contradictory evidence
- Talks about comparing archaeological 'methods' but the passage isn't about methods
- We're not seeing one approach vs. another approach - we're seeing assumption vs. evidence
- The canal discovery isn't presented as a 'superior method'
- Mentions 'contradictory conclusions' being 'resolved' but that's not what happens
- The passage presents one assumption, then one piece of challenging evidence
- There's no resolution - just a complication of the original picture
- Talks about identifying a 'gap' and presenting a 'strategy' - completely wrong focus
- The passage isn't about research gaps or methodological strategies
- It's about an assumption being challenged by evidence