Recent excavations at multiple Neolithic sites have revealed sophisticated irrigation systems that appear to correlate with the emergence of complex...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Recent excavations at multiple Neolithic sites have revealed sophisticated irrigation systems that appear to correlate with the emergence of complex social hierarchies. Archaeologists have long observed that advanced water management technologies in ancient Mesopotamia coincided with the development of stratified societies and specialized labor roles. When findings from two previously unexplored settlements in the Indus Valley were published in 2023, the discovery of elaborate canal networks in both Harappa-era sites led researchers to propose that hydraulic engineering capabilities serve as a catalyst for societal complexity.
Which finding, if true, would most directly support the researchers' proposal?
The Mesopotamian irrigation systems required significantly more labor to construct than the Indus Valley canal networks, suggesting different approaches to water management.
Both Indus Valley sites show evidence of specialized craft production and administrative centers located adjacent to the discovered canal systems.
Archaeological surveys have identified similar irrigation technologies at most other Indus Valley settlements, with few variations in design across the region.
The Harappa-era settlements had smaller populations than Mesopotamian cities relative to agricultural output, but their sites contain evidence of a wider variety of technological innovations.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Recent excavations at multiple Neolithic sites have revealed sophisticated irrigation systems that appear to correlate with the emergence of complex social hierarchies. |
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| Archaeologists have long observed that advanced water management technologies in ancient Mesopotamia coincided with the development of stratified societies and specialized labor roles. |
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| When findings from two previously unexplored settlements in the Indus Valley were published in 2023, the discovery of elaborate canal networks in both Harappa-era sites led researchers to propose that hydraulic engineering capabilities serve as a catalyst for societal complexity. |
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Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Researchers propose that hydraulic engineering capabilities serve as a catalyst for societal complexity, based on new Indus Valley discoveries that mirror patterns previously seen in Mesopotamia.
Argument Flow: The passage starts with a general observation about irrigation systems correlating with complex societies, then provides historical context from Mesopotamia showing this pattern existed before. Finally, it presents new 2023 research from the Indus Valley that led researchers to propose a causal relationship.
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 this causal relationship, we need evidence showing that advanced water management leads to or directly enables societal complexity features
- The right answer should provide evidence that hydraulic engineering directly enables or creates the conditions for complex social structures to develop
The Mesopotamian irrigation systems required significantly more labor to construct than the Indus Valley canal networks, suggesting different approaches to water management.
- Compares labor requirements between regions but doesn't connect water engineering to societal complexity
- This is about construction methods, not about whether hydraulic engineering catalyzes complex societies
Both Indus Valley sites show evidence of specialized craft production and administrative centers located adjacent to the discovered canal systems.
- Shows specialized craft production and administrative centers located adjacent to the canal systems
- This directly demonstrates that features of complex society are physically connected to the hydraulic engineering, supporting the causal relationship
Archaeological surveys have identified similar irrigation technologies at most other Indus Valley settlements, with few variations in design across the region.
- Shows that irrigation technology was widespread but doesn't show it caused societal complexity
- Prevalence alone doesn't prove causation
The Harappa-era settlements had smaller populations than Mesopotamian cities relative to agricultural output, but their sites contain evidence of a wider variety of technological innovations.
- Compares population sizes and technological variety but doesn't connect hydraulic engineering to the development of complex social structures