Bog bodies, most of them dating from between 500 BCE and 100 CE, have

Question

New Project RC Butler 2019  -  Practice 2 RC Passages Everyday   
Passage # 395, Date: 17-Oct-2019
 This post is a part of New Project RC Butler 2019 .  Click here for Details

Bog bodies, most of them dating from between 500 BCE and 100 CE, have been found across northwestern Europe. They are remarkably well preserved in many cases, sometimes down to wrinkles and scars on their leathery, reddish-brown skin. They have not been kept intact in the same way as Egyptian mummies, deliberately embalmed through painstaking human technique, but have likely been perpetuated by an accident that archaeologists who study the Iron Age might call a happy one.

The wetlands in which the bodies are found are exclusively sphagnum moss bogs. These exist in temperate climes where the winter and early spring weather is cold, leaving the water in the bogs below 40°F during those months, and the bogs are all near sources of salt water. Together these elements create the perfect environment for the preservation of skin and internal organs.

The biochemistry of preservation in bogs has several components. Both the cold temperatures and dense peat from the moss, which constitutes a mostly anaerobic environment, prevent significant bacterial growth in the water. As layers of moss die and deteriorate in the water, they create humic acid, also known as bog acid; the acidic environment further inhibits bacteria. Interestingly, this acid often erodes the bones of bog bodies, leaving only the skin and organs, in a process quite the opposite of that which acts upon bodies outside of bogs. The dead layers of moss also release sphagnan, a carbohydrate that attaches itself to the skin of the bodies, preventing rot and water damage.

Besides bodies, bogs have also preserved books, boats, and even bread and “bog butter”—waxy dairy- or meat-based substances sometimes found stored in barrels in the bogs, which likely served as the equivalent of Iron Age refrigerators, preserving food just as they preserve human skin. Much can be learned about our ancestors from the Iron Age and even earlier due to the unique ability of sphagnum moss bogs to preserve so thoroughly that which has fallen into them: scholars have studied such diverse features of early human life as medical conditions like arthritis and parasitic infection, diet, and how far from home people traveled. The bogs offer a fascinating window into the past.   1 
 A 
 1. According to the passage, all of the following conditions are conducive to the preservation of bog bodies EXCEPT

(A) long winters
(B) low air temperatures
(C) proximity to salt water
(D) cool water
(E) sphagnum moss

2 
 C 
 2. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) explain the ways in which bog bodies are different from other preserved bodies, such as mummies
(B) challenge the position that the preservation of bodies in bogs is probably the result of intentional effort
(C) discuss the characteristics of sphagnum moss bogs that allow bodies to be found in a condition that permits unique study
(D) argue that scholars would not understand significant aspects of human life during the Iron Age had bog bodies not been discovered
(E) analyze the differences between sphagnum moss bogs and the types of environments in which bodies decay

3 
 D 
 3. In the context of the passage as a whole, the third paragraph serves primarily to

(A) evaluate the relative importance of the elements discussed in the second paragraph
(B) provide support for an argument presented in the fourth paragraph about the significance of the subject of the passage
(C) outline the creation of the environment that produces the effect that is the topic of the passage
(D) elaborate on the mechanisms underlying an effect achieved by elements introduced in the second paragraph
(E) explain the prominence of a particular academic discipline in the study of the topic of the passage

4 
 E 
 4. According to the passage, bacterial growth is inhibited by all of the following EXCEPT

(A) an anaerobic environment
(B) the presence of sphagnum moss
(C) breakdown of layers of dead moss
(D) cold water temperature
(E) release of sphagnan from dead moss

Source:   Kaplan Prep Plus 2020

Parhikrit · Answer

Can anyone please explain question 4? Thanks in advance

Posted from my mobile device

arvind910619 · Answer

Here is question with all the answer choices.

4. According to the passage, bacterial growth is inhibited by all of the following EXCEPT

(A) an anaerobic environment
(B) the presence of sphagnum moss
(C) breakdown of layers of dead moss
(D) cold water temperature
(E) release of sphagnan from dead moss

It is a simple straight forward question that we can solve by looking for detail in the paragraph but note the "except" at the end of the question. So we have to look for the choice that doses not fulfill bacterial inhibition.
The answer is E as the release of sphagnan from dead moss does not inhibit bacterial growth rather it stops the rotting of bog.

thegmatguy11 · Answer

Can anyone please explain Q3? Although, I selected the correct answer choice D, I am not sure why option C is incorrect.

vivekdixit07 · Answer

Hi, It is wrong because of the word "Creation of environment". Author has mentioned various conditions but is not talking about "Creation" of environment. Not sure if I could explain it clearly. Hope it helps.

vivekdixit07 · Answer

Q1:

These exist in temperate climes where the winter and early spring weather is cold, leaving the water in the bogs below 40°F during those months, and the bogs are all near sources of salt water. Together these elements create the perfect environment for the preservation of skin and internal organs.

Option A mentions "Long" Winter. Passage mentions "Winter and early spring weather is cold" although does not mention "Long Winter" Hence it is the right answer.

vivekdixit07 · Answer

2. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) explain the ways in which bog bodies are different from other preserved bodies, such as mummies : Just one line is mentioned about mummies. Passage is not explaining the difference in preservation from "mummies". Hence it is wrong.
(B) challenge the position that the preservation of bodies in bogs is probably the result of intentional effort. It does not challenge the position It mentions it as an accident and then went on to explain it.
(C) discuss the characteristics of sphagnum moss bogs that allow bodies to be found in a condition that permits unique study -  Refer the second & third paragraph where passage mentions the characteristics of the sphagnum moss bogs and the in the last paragraphs mentions Much can be learned about our ancestors from the Iron Age and even earlier due to the unique ability of sphagnum moss bogs to preserve so thoroughly that which has fallen into them  - Sounds Correct.
(D) argue that scholars would not understand significant aspects of human life during the Iron Age had bog bodies not been discovered - Although last passage does mention the significance of the preservation but "scholars would not understand" and "had bog bodies not been discovered" are too strong positions.
(E) analyze the differences between sphagnum moss bogs and the types of environments in which bodies decay - Does not mention other enviornments.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

3. In the context of the passage as a whole, the third paragraph serves primarily to

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

STEP 1: ANALYZE THE QUESTION STEM

The question asks for the purpose of the  third paragraph , so this is a Logic question.

STEP 2: RESEARCH THE RELEVANT TEXT

According to the passage map, the third paragraph discusses the biochemistry of the bogs that are involved in preservation. Research of the paragraph itself shows that it describes the ways in which the moss and cold water, first mentioned in the preceding paragraph, produce the relatively inert environment of the bog.

STEP 3: MAKE A PREDICTION

The right answer will be about how the bogs work to preserve the bodies found within them.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE ANSWER CHOICES

(D) , though phrased in more abstract language, matches this prediction and is correct. The author doesn’t indicate that some factors are more important than others, so  (A)  is out.

The author does say in the last paragraph that bog bodies are important, but the third paragraph does not provide support for this assertion; eliminate  (B) .

In  (C), “the environment . . . that produces the effect that is the topic”  is the bog, but this paragraph describes how the bog works on bodies, not how the bog is formed.

(E)  distorts the author’s use of  “biochemistry” ; while a grasp of biochemistry is undoubtedly helpful to understand how sphagnum moss bogs preserve bodies, the role of this paragraph is not to explain the importance of biochemistry but to explain how certain bogs preserve bodies.

Answer: D

TANYA27 · Answer

got all answers correct in just 5 mins

RahulHGGmat · Answer

Hi Sajjad1994

Hope you are doing well and Happy Diwali in advance.

I picked the correct answer for option D. However, I am always confused with these types of question as the last two answer options, after eliminating 3 options, closely resembles each other. Hence, I would request you to guide me the way through which my understanding of this type of questions increase and I take less time on exam while attempting these.

Looking for a prompt response from your side.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hi RahulHGGmat

Happy Diwali

You are probably talking about question #3. To answer the paragraph question you should have an idea and outline of all paragraphs of the passage. What is important is being discussed in each paragraph individually and how we can connect that information to the passage as a whole. If you come across two answer choices at the end try to look for the extreme words as one of them will be wrong and it will be using some extreme words such as  all, some, never, must, majority, some, a few  etc. One of the important factors is the practice, how effectively you have practiced for the RC should reflect in your results.

Just remember there is no magic or shortcuts in RC or even in the GMAT

Cheers

RahulHGGmat · Answer

Sajjad1994  Thank you for your prompt response. However, I was talking about question number 4 and my apologies as i forgot to mention it.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

4. According to the passage, bacterial growth is inhibited by all of the following EXCEPT

Difficulty Level:   700+

STEP 1: ANALYZE THE QUESTION STEM

This is a Detail EXCEPT question.

STEP 2: RESEARCH THE RELEVANT TEXT

“Bacterial growth”  is mentioned in the third paragraph, so research this part of the text. Cold temperatures, the creation by the dense sphagnum moss of  “a mostly anaerobic environment,”  and the release of humic or  “bog”  acid by the deterioration of dead layers of moss all inhibit bacterial growth.

STEP 3: MAKE A PREDICTION

Since this is an EXCEPT question, use your research as a guide to eliminate any choices that are supported.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE ANSWER CHOICES

(E)  is mentioned in the passage. However, sphagnan prevents  “rot and water damage”  by binding to the skin. The text does not say it acts against bacteria. This is the correct answer.

(A), (B), (C),  and  (D)  all match relevant details in the passage and can be eliminated.

Answer: E

bo12345 · Answer

I believe 4th question is wrong, due to the fact that rot is caused by bacteria and fungi. Oxford dictionary describes rot as "(chiefly of animal or vegetable matter) decay or cause to decay by the action of bacteria and fungi; decompose." So preventing rot means preventing bacteria growth. Presence of sphagnum moss itself is not a sufficient answer, therefore the answer should be B.

italicfire · Answer

Can someone please explain q1? Why is A the answer, is it because the passage mentions winters and not long winters? Thanks.

Anindita97 · Answer

Yes, even i also want to know what is the reason for Option A as the answer? It is mentioned in the passage that winter and spring is cold which provides the right environment for preservation of bog bodies

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. According to the passage, all of the following conditions are conducive to the preservation of bog bodies EXCEPT

Explanation

STEP 1: ANALYZE THE QUESTION STEM

The phrase  “ccording to the passage”  indicates that this is a Detail question, but  “EXCEPT”  means that the four incorrect choices will be supported by the passage, while the right answer will not be.

STEP 2: RESEARCH THE RELEVANT TEXT

The necessary conditions for preserving bodies are discussed in the second paragraph: sphagnum moss, cold temperatures that lead to cool water, and nearby salt water  “together . . . create the perfect environment.”

STEP 3: MAKE A PREDICTION

You can’t predict something that’s not in the passage, but you can expect that the details you found in your research will show up in the incorrect answer choices.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE ANSWER CHOICES

While a cold winter and early spring are important for preservation, the passage does not say the length of this season is a factor, so   (A)   is correct. The other choices are the factors that promote the preservation of bodies that you found in your research.

Answer: A

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

2. The primary purpose of the passage is to

Explanation

STEP 1: ANALYZE THE QUESTION STEM

This question asks for the primary purpose of the passage, so it’s a Global question.

STEP 2: RESEARCH THE RELEVANT TEXT

Use the author’s purpose in the passage map, rather than reviewing the passage itself, to predict the correct answer.

STEP 3: MAKE A PREDICTION

According to the passage map, the author’s purpose was to explain how bog bodies are preserved in sphagnum moss. Look for an answer choice that encapsulates this idea.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE ANSWER CHOICES

(C)   is a neat summation of the purpose and is correct.

While the author mentions at the beginning of the passage a presumed difference between bog bodies and mummies, contrasting bog bodies with other remains isn’t the purpose of the passage, eliminating   (A)  .

Similarly, while the author mentions that bog bodies were probably preserved by accident, the author never implies that anyone thinks any differently, let alone mounts an argument for the idea;   (B)   can be eliminated.

(D)   reflects only a few details from the last paragraph of the passage and not the passage as a whole. Moreover, while the passage says that bog bodies have helped scholars understand the lives of Iron Age humans, it does not go so far as to claim that this information would be unknown if not for the bog bodies.

The passage explains what is distinct about sphagnum moss bogs but never discusses other environments, so analyzing differences between them, as in   (E)  , cannot be the primary purpose.

Answer: C

AniketPande · Answer

hey,
It is understandable that youre inclines to choose option but its clearly mentioned in the passage that the enzymes released by the dead layers is the answer. pasting it underneath for you.
 As layers of moss die and deteriorate in the water, they create humic acid, also known as bog acid; the acidic environment further inhibits bacteria.  
 hope this was helpful.

mkeshri185 · Answer

outline the creation of the environment that produces the effect that is the topic of the passage

i did not get why this option(C) is wrong for Q3. third para talks about the formation of some environment and due to which something happens. And the effect of passage is indeed preserving the bodies so talked about that too. then why is this wrong

Bog bodies, most of them dating from between 500 BCE and 100 CE, have

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Bog bodies, most of them dating from between 500 BCE and 100 CE, have

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