Pigments give paints and dyes their color. Ocher is a mineral-based pigment used to make several colors, including red. Red...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Pigments give paints and dyes their color. Ocher is a mineral-based pigment used to make several colors, including red. Red ocher gets its color from iron oxide. Pigments can also be plant-based; plant-based pigments contain a high level of carbon. In a 2023 study, archaeologists tested the red pigment on decorated beads made by members of the Natufian culture approximately 15,000 years ago. The test showed that the pigment found on several beads contained no iron but had a high level of carbon. This finding led the researchers to conclude that ______
Which choice most logically completes the text?
the Natufian beads examined in the study are the oldest surviving examples of the use of plant-based pigments for decorating beads.
the Natufian beadmakers used plant-based pigments rather than ocher to decorate some of the beads examined in the study.
the Natufian beadmakers preferred to use plant-based pigments because they are much brighter than mineral-based pigments are.
the pigments used by the Natufian beadmakers likely came from plants because ocher was difficult to find.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'Pigments give paints and dyes their color.' |
|
| 'Ocher is a mineral-based pigment used to make several colors, including red.' |
|
| 'Red ocher gets its color from iron oxide.' |
|
| 'Pigments can also be plant-based; plant-based pigments contain a high level of carbon.' |
|
| 'In a 2023 study, archaeologists tested the red pigment on decorated beads made by members of the Natufian culture approximately 15,000 years ago.' |
|
| 'The test showed that the pigment found on several beads contained no iron but had a high level of carbon.' |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Archaeological evidence from Natufian beads suggests these ancient people used plant-based rather than mineral-based pigments for decoration.
Argument Flow: The passage establishes two types of pigments with distinct chemical signatures (mineral-based with iron, plant-based with carbon), then presents archaeological evidence showing ancient beads had the chemical signature of plant-based pigments.
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 key evidence: the Natufian bead pigment had no iron but high carbon levels
- From our passage analysis:
- Mineral-based pigments (like ocher) contain iron oxide
- Plant-based pigments contain high carbon
- The test results show no iron + high carbon
- So the logical conclusion should connect these dots: since the pigment matches the chemical signature of plant-based pigments, the researchers would conclude the Natufians used plant-based pigments
the Natufian beads examined in the study are the oldest surviving examples of the use of plant-based pigments for decorating beads.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims these beads are the 'oldest surviving examples' - goes beyond what the evidence supports
the Natufian beadmakers used plant-based pigments rather than ocher to decorate some of the beads examined in the study.
✓ Correct
- States that Natufians used plant-based pigments rather than ocher for some beads - directly matches our evidence
the Natufian beadmakers preferred to use plant-based pigments because they are much brighter than mineral-based pigments are.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims Natufians 'preferred' plant-based pigments because they're 'brighter' - no information about preferences or brightness in passage
the pigments used by the Natufian beadmakers likely came from plants because ocher was difficult to find.
✗ Incorrect
- Claims plant-based pigments were used because ocher was 'difficult to find' - no information about availability in passage