Although several ancient cultures practiced mummification

Question

Although several ancient cultures practiced mummification, mummies from ancient Egypt are generally more well-preserved than mummies of similar antiquity from other cultures. One possible explanation for this difference is that the mummification techniques or material used by ancient Egyptians were better than those of other cultures. A second, more likely, explanation is that the extremely dry climate of ancient Egypt was largely responsible, given that dryness promotes the preservation of organic remains generally.

Which is the following provide the most support for the argument?

(A) The materials used by ancient Egyptians for mummification were not used by any other ancient culture that practiced mummification.

(B) Some ancient Egyptian mummies are better preserved than other ancient Egyptian mummies form around the same time.

(C) No ancient people living in very damp areas practiced mummification.

(D) Bodies from ancient Egyptian tombs dating from before the practice of mummification began are almost as well preserved as ancient Egyptian mummies.

(E) Ancient mummies discovered in places other than Egypt have typically not been as well protected from the elements as ancient Egyptian mummies were.

5monthGMAT700a · Answer

If D is true, then this confirms that un-mummified bodies in these tombs are also well-preserved. This would make the explanation that climate, rather than mummification techniques, is responsible for the mummies' preservation more believable.

catcun · Answer

KarishmaB  could you please explain why it is not E?

egmat · Answer

catcun  I can help clarify why (E) actually weakens rather than supports the argument.

The passage argues that  climate (specifically dryness) , not mummification techniques, is the main reason Egyptian mummies are better preserved. To support this, we need evidence that  climate is the key factor .

Option (E) states: "Ancient mummies discovered in places other than Egypt have typically not been as well protected from the elements as ancient Egyptian mummies were."

This introduces a  third variable  - "protection from the elements" - which actually  weakens  the climate argument. Here's why:

If non-Egyptian mummies are poorly preserved because they weren't well  protected  (rather than because of climate), then we can't conclude that Egypt's  dry climate  is the key factor. Protection from elements (like being sealed in tombs) is different from the natural climate of the region.

Process Diagnosis 
You likely interpreted "elements" as referring to climate conditions. However, "protection from elements" means physical barriers like tomb construction, not the inherent climate. This option suggests Egyptian tombs were better built, which would be a  third explanation  competing with both climate and mummification techniques.

Why (D) is Correct 
Option (D) provides the strongest support: Bodies from  before  mummification practices are almost as well preserved. This  isolates the climate variable  - if bodies preserve well WITHOUT any mummification techniques, then climate must be doing the work!

Sharing a framework for "Strengthen" Questions 
 
When evaluating strengthen answers, ask: "Does this option  isolate  the factor the argument claims is responsible?"
- If yes → Strong support
- If it introduces other variables → Likely weakens or is irrelevant

Watch for answers that bring in  alternative explanations  (like "protection" in option E) - these typically weaken rather than strengthen.

You can practice similar Critical Reasoning strengthen/weaken questions  here  (these are official questions) - select Critical Reasoning under Verbal and choose "Strengthen." You can further filter based on the difficulty level.

crimson_noise · Answer

The correct answer should be E - Ancient mummies discovered in places other than Egypt have typically not been as well protected from the elements as ancient Egyptian mummies were.

The argument presents two possible explanations for why Egyptian mummies are better preserved:
1. The materials or techniques for mummification in Egypt were superior.
2. The dry climate of Egypt (environmental factors) explains better preservation, as dryness generally promotes preservation of organic remains.

The argument leans toward the second explanation (the climate), claiming it is the more likely cause.

Option E directly supports the environmental explanation by showing that other ancient mummies—i.e., those not in Egypt and thus not preserved in Egypt’s dry climate—are not as well protected from the elements. This undercuts the argument that there is something uniquely superior about Egyptian mummification techniques or materials and instead points the cause toward Egypt’s unique environmental conditions, which is the line of reasoning the prompt wants to support.

Other choices:
- A: Supports the technique/materials argument (the less likely explanation), not the environmental argument.
- B: Irrelevant; compares only Egyptian mummies with each other, not with mummies from elsewhere.
- C: If true, this would say only that mummification didn’t happen in damp areas, but that doesn't tie back to the ‘preservation’ of existing mummies or directly address climate as the explanation.
- D: Relates to pre-mummification bodies, not mummies from different regions or preserved using different methods.

E is the only answer that addresses the distinction between the environment of Egypt versus other locations and provides evidence supporting the argument’s main claim about the preservative effect of Egypt’s dry climate.

gaa · Answer

Protection from the elements isn't necessarily about environmental differences though. To me, it speaks more to mummification techniques, since a big part of mummification is keeping the body insulated from the environment. Saying that something is protected from the elements doesn't necessarily mean that said elements are any more or less dangerous.

D) is a stronger answer since it implies that mummification techniques are less relevant than the atmosphere of Ancient Egypt, which is exactly the main idea of the passage. It not comparing mummy vs. mummy doesn't immediately make it irrelevant, since it involves Egypt seeing better results in the preservation of organic material.

Although several ancient cultures practiced mummification

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GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

Although several ancient cultures practiced mummification

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615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

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