1. The primary purpose of the passage is to propose
(B) a way to curb illegal digging while benefiting the archaeological profession.
The author suggests selling excavated artifacts on the open market as a means to provide funds for archaeology and reduce illegal excavation. The proposal aims to address the financial constraints faced by archaeologists and the problem of illegal digging.
2. The author implies that all of the following statements about duplicate artifacts are true EXCEPT:
(E) Such artifacts frequently exceed in quality those already catalogued in museum collections.
In the passage, the author discusses the abundance of duplicate artifacts, such as pottery vessels and ancient lamps. The author acknowledges their lack of unique artistic merit or scientific value. However, there is no mention of these duplicate artifacts frequently exceeding the quality of those already catalogued in museum collections. Therefore, option (E) is the correct answer.
3. Which of the following is mentioned in the passage as a disadvantage of storing artifacts in museum basements?
(E) Such artifacts often remain uncatalogued and thus cannot be located once they are put in storage.
The passage states that there is not enough money to catalogue the finds, resulting in artifacts being stored in museum basements without proper documentation. As a result, these artifacts become inaccessible and cannot be located again. This supports option (E) as the correct answer.
4. The author mentions the excavation in Cyprus (lines 31-34) to emphasize which of the following points?
(C) Artifacts that are not uniquely valuable, and therefore could be sold, are available in large quantities.
The excavation in Cyprus is mentioned to highlight the discovery of thousands of virtually indistinguishable small jugs and a large number of royal seal impressions. This serves to emphasize that artifacts which are not uniquely valuable but could be sold are available in large quantities. This aligns with option (C) as the correct answer.
5. The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?
(A) Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.
The author suggests that by selling excavated duplicate artifacts on the open market with proper documentation and authentication, prospective purchasers would prefer these authenticated artifacts over unmarked, illegally obtained ones. This assumption is central to the author's argument, making option (A) the correct answer.
6. The author anticipates which of the following initial objections to the adoption of his proposal?
(C) Artifacts that would have been displayed in public places will be sold to private collectors.
The passage mentions that artifacts with unique artistic merit or scientific value should not be sold. The author anticipates objections that artifacts that would have been displayed in public places, such as museums, may be sold to private collectors instead. This aligns with option (C) as the correct answer.
7. The author implies that which of the following would occur if duplicate artifacts were sold on the open market?
(B) III only. (III. Archaeologists would be able to publish the results of their excavations more frequently than they currently do.)
The passage suggests that by selling duplicate artifacts on the open market, substantial funds could be generated for the excavation, preservation, and publication of archaeological findings. This implies that archaeologists would be able to publish the results of their excavations more frequently than they currently do, supporting option (B) as the correct answer. The passage does not imply that illegal excavation would completely cease or that Cyprus would become the primary source of marketable duplicate artifacts.[/b][/b]