Flexible personal body armor made from interlocking iron or steel ring

Question

Flexible personal body armor made from interlocking iron or steel rings was known as far back as the ancient Roman era. Used primarily as protection for elite, heavy cavalry troops, various forms of so-called "chain mail" armor — either as a complete garment or combined with other forms of protection — were relatively rare and expensive at that time, and less practical than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata. The latter was the iron cuirass made from segmented steel plates hung on a leather harness, favored by the infantry of the Roman legions. For centuries after the fall of Imperial Rome, the craft of fashioning mail armor fell into disuse; then it re-emerged in the medieval period with such vigor that, by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits.

The type of armor historians sometimes call "chain mail" — but which was called by its contemporaries merely "mail" — had many advantages for the individual fighting man in the age of steel weapons. It combined the flexibility and suppleness of cloth with the impact-absorbing mass and cut resistance of rigid metal plates. Edged weapons, no matter how sharp, are incapable of slashing or sawing through a well-fashioned mail suit. Moreover, when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath.

The process of manufacturing a mail shirt was enormously labor-intensive in pre-industrial times. Each of the thousands of individual links that made up a full suit or "harness" had to be individually cut from a coil of hand-drawn wire, the ends of the link flattened and drilled with tiny holes, and then the link looped into the garment and riveted closed. By varying the pattern of interlocking links, the master mailer was able to enlarge or shrink the metal garment to "knit" sleeves, mittens, hoods and other complex forms. Eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor, and the need for greater protection spurred the development of armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates instead. Today only a few examples of medieval-era linked metal armor suits remain.    1 
 1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.

2 
 2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.

3 
 3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them.
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century.
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.

4 
 4. According to the passage, all of the following were steps in the process of creating a medieval-era mail harness EXCEPT

A. flattening and drilling holes in the ends of each link
B. varying the pattern of interlocking links to form contours
C. cutting the individual links from a coil of wire
D. suspending the completed mail suit from a leather harness
E. riveting the cut ends of the metal links shut

5 
 5. The organization of the second paragraph is best described by which of the following statements?

A. An argument is delineated, and then contrasted with a counterargument.
B. An assertion is presented, followed by supporting elaboration and explanation.
C. A historical situation is elaborated in reference to the events that preceded it.
D. A specific example is extended to explain general conclusions drawn from it.
E. A group of dissimilar occurrences is expounded and the distinctions between them are explained.

RC Butler Competition 2021  -  Participate and Win!   
Passage # 10 Date: 7-Jan-2021
 This question is a part of RC Butler Competition 2021 .  Click here for Details

Sajjad1994 · Accepted Answer

Official Explanation

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Analyze the Question Stem:

This is an Inference question, so the correct answer must be true based on the passage.

Research the Relevant Text:

Rome is discussed in the first paragraph, which states that chain mail was used mainly for cavalry, and was  "rare", "expensive"  and “less practical than the Roman infantryman's lorica segmentata.”

Make a Prediction:

The correct answer will likely be based on one of the details about Roman armor unearthed in the research above.

Evaluate the Answer Choices:

(A)  is a distortion. It was chain mail armor, not lorica segmentata, that was revived in the Middle Ages after a period of disuse.

(B)  is incorrect because the passage does not address the relative effectiveness the two types of armor. The passage says Roman linked-mail armor was less practical than the Roman infantryman's lorica segmentata. It also says that by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted  "with practical and effective linked metal armor suits."  But it doesn't say how this armor compared to the ancient Roman linked-mail armor.

(C)  is incorrect because  "improved stabbing and piercing weapons"  capable of defeating flexible mail did not come along until after the medieval period. Consequently, this could not be the reason that such armor was impractical for Roman troops.

(D)  is unsupported by the passage. Some cavalry may have preferred mail armor, but nowhere in the passage is there evidence that segmented-plate armor was  "unsuitable"  for cavalry.

(E)  is based on the contrast between the forica segmentata and chain mail and is the correct choice. Chain mail was  “less practical" , so it must be true that the lorica segmentata was  "more pragmatic” .

Answer: E

TAKEAWAY:  Often, the correct answer for an Inference question is one that is just a minor rewording of something stated in the passage

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

Analyze the Question Stem:

The term "closely resembles" signals that this is an unusual question type - Parallelism. The correct choice will describe something that is not mentioned in the passage but is consistent with it. Specifically, the correct choice will need to be similar to the manner in which chain mail armor provides protection.

Research the Relevant Text:

The second paragraph describes chain mail’s advantages. The first listed advantage is that mail is flexible and supple, yet impact-absorbing and cut-resistant. The keyword  "moreover"  suggests that there is yet another reason: chain mail transfers blunt force throughout the armor, reducing damage to the body underneath.

Make a Prediction:

The correct choice should be about something other than chain mail, but may well relate to the ability to transfer force, to be flexible and strong, or to both of these descriptors.

Evaluate the Answer Choices:

(C)  is the correct choice. It describes force being transferred across a surface rather than being passed through, which is precisely what chain mail does.

(A)  is incorrect because a hard hat is rigid, whereas chain mail is flexible. Additionally, the hard hat is deflecting the object that is hitting it. Chain mail, on the other hand, is receiving the force of the object, but is transferring that force throughout the material. This is a different process.

(B)  is wrong because it describes reactive tank armor that explodes outward when hit. Mail armor doesn't actively react with a new force; it just disperses the received force throughout the garment.

(D)  describes reacting to force by  "strategically crushing and breaking apart.”  This is clearly different than the mechanism by which chain mail distributes force while remaining intact.

(E)  discusses  “barriers that successively contain and disperse the force."  This, too, is not the manner in which chain mail acts. Chain mail has no successive barriers to contain the force.

Answer: C

TAKEAWAY:  Pay close attention to details when evaluating the choices in Parallelism questions.

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

Analyze the Question Stem:

The phrase  "supported by the passage"  makes this an Inference question. Don't be fooled by the word  "best."  On the GMAT, there is only one correct answer. The other four choices will all be wrong for concrete reasons. They may be subtle reasons, but they will be concrete ones all the same.

Research the Relevant Text:

This Inference question is open-ended, providing no research clues. Review the flow of the passage from the passage map: chain mail was rare in Imperial Rome (lorica segmentata was more widely used), fell into disuse, flourished in medieval times, but eventually became obsolete. Otherwise, prepare to research individual choices as needed.

Make a Prediction:

No specific prediction is possible for an open-ended Inference question. Keep in mind, however, that the right answer is something that must be true, either based on the passage's overall point or on some specific detail.

Evaluate the Answer Choices:

(A)  is a distortion; the skill of the craftsmen is described in the third paragraph, but only as an example of how labor-intensive chain mail manufacture is. The success of chain mail technology is discussed in the second paragraph.

(B)  is supported by the passage, and is correct. The technological need was to protect the  “individual fighting man in the age of steel weapons."  By the fourteenth century chain mail was a  "practical and effective”  solution to this need. As weapons advanced, chain mail became obsolete, so it was only a solution in a particular historical era.

(C)  is not supported by the passage. Mail armor was widely available by the fourteenth century, but the passage does not directly address the periods before and after that time.

(D)  is a 180° choice. The passage actually says that chain mail was quite useful, and that it wasn't the technology of articulated metal plates, but rather the improvements to stabbing and piercing weapons, that made chain mail obsolete.

(E)  is refuted by the passage, as the end of the passage says that linked mail armor became obsolete and is very hard to find today.

Answer: B

TAKEAWAY:  Remember that  "best supported by"  or similar wording signals an Inference question.

Vie3nrose · Answer

Question 1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
 INCORRECT   -- One word off: PG1 " mail armor  fell into disuse; then it re-emerged in the medieval period" (lorica segmentata was the latter armour introduced in PG1, "iron cuirass made from segmented steel plates hung on a leather harness, favored by the infantry of the Roman legions")
 
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
 INCORRECT   -- "For centuries after the fall of Imperial Rome... mail armor fell into disuse; then it re-emerged in the medieval period... by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits." Based on this passage, not sure that the 14th century armour was more effective. Since we're still talking about mail armour, maybe it was equally effective? 
 
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
 INCORRECT   -- PG3 "Eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor". However, this eventual obsolescence due to sharper weapons most likely happened after the medieval period when mail armour was the most popular (so we know it wasn't obsolete yet), which was already after the Roman empire
 
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
 INCORRECT   -- PG1 talked about cavalry troops using mail armour ("Used primarily as protection for elite, heavy  cavalry  troops, various forms of so-called " chain mail" armor ..."), and PG3 talked about "armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates ", but didn't mention whether it was suitable for cavalry troops.
 
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
 CORRECT   -- PG1 ""chain mail" armor... were relatively rare and expensive at that time, and  less practical  than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata." Therefore mail armour < lorica segmentata in terms of practicality/pragmatism

Question 2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?
 
 PG2: "when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath"

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
 INCORRECT   -- no mention of the purpose of the armour to be sloping so that falling objects glance away 
 
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
 INCORRECT   -- no mention of amour hiding explosive materials to blast outward upon penetration
 
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
 CORRECT   -- this sounds right: "when struck with a blunt object, the  links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact " and lessens the amount of force to pass through the to soft tissues underneath
 
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
 INCORRECT   -- no mention of the armour designed to strategically break upon impact (probably not a sustainable design for battle)
 
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.
 INCORRECT   -- no mention of the links containing multiple barriers that successively contain and disperse the force

RashmikaAnegama · Answer

Briefing the passage:
1 - talks about armors present in the ancient Roman era. 
chain mail armor - used by elite, heavy cavalry troops - rare and expensive
lorica segmentata - used by the Roman infantryman
the craft of fashioning  mail armor  fell into disuse with the fall of imperial Rome and reemerged in medieval period, 
by 14th century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits.

2 - Explains advantages and how does the chain mail or mail works

3 - Explains the manufacture(designing of the armor) process

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period. 
It is mentioned that mail armor fell into disuse not lorica segmentata

B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century. 
linked-mail armor was much more effective

C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops. 
The lines from the passage -  Eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor  clearly supports this inference and this is the right answer

D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops. 
We can't prove this, it's just told that the elite group used chain mail but Armor made from segmented steel plates might also have been suitable for them

E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor. 
can't say

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?
Notice the lines:
 Moreover, when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath. 
So, it's transferring the force thereby, the soft tissues are protected.

If you notice the answer choices, C resembles to the concept above. So, C is the right answer.

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.

B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.

C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.

D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.

E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them. 
We can't prove it from the passage.

B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era. 
technological need? I don't think this is a rightly supported in the passage

C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century. 
It was used before as well.

D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread. 
The lines in the ending of the passage:
 Eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor, and the need for greater protection spurred the development of armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates instead. 
best supports this answer choice.

E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today. 
This became obsolete back in the history only, so it can't be a useful solution today.

So, IMO, the answers are C, C, D.

Tahamohsin · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

E

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
  The passage doesn't state that lorica segmentata fell into disuse, but actually stated that the craft of fashioning mail armor fell into disuse; then it re-emerged in the medieval period

B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
  Ancient Roman have lorica segmentata, not linked mail armor.

C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
  The passage doesn't state that improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops for the ancient Roman armor.

D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
  out of scope

E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
  Yes, correct, the passage stated that "chain mail" is less practical than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

C 
 To answer this question, find the support in 2 para. It combined the flexibility and suppleness of cloth with the impact-absorbing mass and cut resistance of rigid metal plates. Edged weapons, no matter how sharp, are incapable of slashing or sawing through a well-fashioned mail suit. Moreover, when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath.

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
  No this doesn't' match.

B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
  No this doesn't' match.

C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
  THis choice is matching with the language "when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath".

D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
  Same doesn't match.

E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.
  Again, the wrong choice.

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

B

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them.
  No, the passage never stated that military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them

B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
  Yes, flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need for the protection of the soldiers.

C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century.
  No, the passage never stated this.

D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
  Closed, but "limited usefulness of linked armor" in the choice makes it incorrect.Eventually, the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor, and the need for greater protection spurred the development of armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates instead.

E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.
  No the passage stated the opposite metal armors are particularly impractical today.

TarunKumar1234 · Answer

Summary: Two types of body protection armors in Roman era, 1) Mail-chain and 2) lorica segmentata
First one was expensive, rare and impractical initially and later re-emerges. 
Author talks, how woven technology used in mail-chain and helped in saving body parts from metal/piercing attacks. In last para, Author mentioned as mail-chain is discontinued due to advancement in attacking weapons. which required further advancement in body protection armors.

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period. ->Incorrect
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century. ->Incorrect
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops. ->Incorrect
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.->Incorrect
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor. ->  Correct.

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.->Incorrect, as it talks about design and shape.
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated. -> Incorrect.
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through. ->  Correct . It is talking about thread connecting and saving.
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact. ->Incorrect, as it talks about design and shape.
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead. ->Incorrect, as it talks about design and shape.

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them. -> Incorrect.
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era. ->  Correct. 
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century. -> Incorrect.
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.-> Incorrect.
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today. -> Incorrect.

Deepakjhamb · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

answer is e)The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor. 
A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period. :  lorica sementata did not fell into disuse and then resurgance took place , this was indicated for chain mail armor , so this is ruled out  
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century. :  such comparison is not mentioned in the passage , so its out  
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops : 
 actually the exact period in which improved stabbing and piercing weapons rendered mail armour impractical is not mentioned in the passage, so this is out  
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops :  Armor made from steel was unsuitable for cavalry troops , this part is beyond the scope of passage , this part was mentioned to be used by infantry instead , so its out  
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor:  yes this is right answer as its mentioned in passage that chain mail armor was less practical than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata , so its a flip which can be inferred

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

answer is c)A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away :  we need something that absorbs the impact and spreads through its mass , this is sliding away , so ruled out  
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated :  blasting outward is not the mechanism to be used instead we need something that absorbs the impact and spreads through its mass, so ruled out  
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through :  this is the answer ,this is inline with that we need something that absorbs the impact and spreads through its mass 
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact :  breaking apart by absorbing force is not the mechanism we want  
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead :  compartmentalization leading to dispersal of force is not the one we need , so its out

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?
 answer is b)Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them:  we do not know that steel hand weapons succeded primarily beacuse of skilled craftsment , no such mention in passage  
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era:  yes , thats the answer , in first para we have -in the medieval period with such vigor that, by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits. Thus we can infer that metal link armor represented parctical solution to some tech need in a particular era  
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century :  no we have mention that in ancient roman era also it was used for elite and cavalry protection , also some are still available today , so its ruled out  
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.:  actually its mentioned in passage that due to new types of weapons emerging the linked armor became obsolete and this was the cause for development of new tech articulated metal plates armor , so the we cannot have an effect leading to its cause , so ruled out  
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today :  we do not know that metal armor has any unique characteristic and also we do not know for sure that it is useful solution in tech applications today , so ruled out

Sumi1010 · Answer

Short note on the passage:

P1: Armors since Roman, chain mail for elites; segmentata for infantry.
Chain mail - disused after Roman; Reemerged in 14th cent.

P2 : Advantages of mail - flexible and impact-absorbing.
P3: Manufacturing of mail - labor intensive. Improved weapons lead to obsolescence of mail.

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The  lorica segmentata fell into disuse  and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
 No, the passage says it for Chain mail and not lorica segmentata.  
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was  less effective  than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
 The all we know about the mail armor is that it emerged with great vigour in 14th century.  
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor  impractical  for Roman troops.
 The improvement in weapons accelerated the obsolescence of mail armors, but not made them impractical. 
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
 No, lorica segmentata was suitable for the troops. 
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
 Correct. "chain armors were relatively rare and expensive at that time, and  less practical  than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata"

E

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that  causes falling objects to glance away. 
 This is not true. The armor was known for impact-absorbing nature.  
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that  blast outward  when the surface is penetrated.
 The armor was known for impact-absorbing nature and was not blasting. 
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile,  transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through. 
 Correct. This is similar to how the armor worked in impact-absorbing. 
"When struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath." 
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
 The armor absorbed the force but didn't break apart on the impact. 
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively  contain and disperse the force  crashing through a bulkhead.
 "Dispersal of force crashing the bulkhead" does not demonstrate impact-absorbing nature.

C

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the  existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen  to support them.
 The role of network of craften is not mentioned in the passage. 
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
 Correct.  
C. The availability of practical mail armor was  limited mainly to the fourteenth century. 
 The mail armor was available in Roman era too.  
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
 The armor begin to obsolete not because of articulated metal plates but because of ascendancy of improved weapons. 
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.
 Not true . "ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the  obsolescence  of linked mail armor"

B

BIDJI23 · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
 "Chain mail" is the one that had a resurgence in the XIVth century. Not the iron cuirass from lorica segmentata 
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
 I do not think this is supported in the text 
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
 We know that: "eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor". This happened during the medieval age. But the improved stabbing and piercing weapons came later. So I think I do not keep this. 
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
 It sounds nice. We know heavy cavalry troops used mail chain. But can we conclude this? I do not think so... 
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
 This answer is logical. Less expensive, maybe easier to build and more practical. A lot of arguments for E.

1-->E

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?
All information in P2 has to be taken into account. Let's check one by one.

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
 The rigid barrier is a bit of a concern as the mail "combined the flexibility and suppleness of cloth". OUT. 
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
 The force is absorbed. The text says that the force is expulsed. OUT. 
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
 The transfer of the force is a perfect analogy. I keep this. 
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
 The mail does not break. OUT 
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.
 The word "crashing" makes me think that this is not good.

2-->C

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them.
 The technologies succeed because of the craftsmen? No We do not have info about this!! 
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
 This sounds nice and it's said in P1: "then it re-emerged in the medieval period with such vigor that, by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits." It was practical and needed. 
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century.
 We have no idea when the mail was exactly obsolete.  
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited use that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
 OUT. It was not a limited use.  
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.
 Today? No!!

3-->B

E-C-B

Neha2404 · Answer

1-E
2-C
3-D

IMO-E

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
INCORRECT:-It is give above Flexible armor not about The lorica segmentata

B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
incorrect:- No comparison between Ancient Roman linked-mail armor and the armor made in the fourteenth century mentioned

C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
INCORRECT:-not given in passage

D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
INCORRECT Not given in passage

E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
CORRECT
 It is mentioned in 1st para that flexible mail armor less practical than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata

IMO-C

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
INCORRECT

B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
INCORRECT

C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
CORRECT: It is made by Chain and the links of chain transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath.

D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
INCORRECT

E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.
INCORRECT

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them.
INCORRECT:- No information
 about availability of craftsman is given in the passage 
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
INCORRECT:-Not given in the passage

C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century.
Incorrect:- not mentioned in the passage

D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
CORRECT It is mentioned in last para 
he obsolescence of linked mail armor, and the need for greater protection spurred the development of armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates instead

E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.
INCORRECT:-No information about today is mentioned

stanyu7777 · Answer

A - For centuries after the fall of Imperial Rome, the craft of fashioning mail armor fell into disuse; then it re-emerged in the medieval period with such vigor that, by the fourteenth century, entire armies could feasibly be outfitted with practical and effective linked metal armor suits.
C - Edged weapons, no matter how sharp, are incapable of slashing or sawing through a well-fashioned mail suit. Moreover, when struck with a blunt object, the links transfer the force through the mass of the garment, absorbing a significant quantity of impact and lessening the degree of its transfer to soft tissues underneath.
B -

Pankaj0901 · Answer

Answer IMO
1. E
2. E
3. D

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period.
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century.
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops.
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops.
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor.
 
Correct IMO is E. As mentioned in: "Used primarily as protection for elite, heavy cavalry troops, various forms of so-called "chain mail" armor — either as a complete garment or combined with other forms of protection — were relatively rare and expensive at that time, and less practical than the Roman infantryman’s lorica segmentata."

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away.
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated.
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through.
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact.
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead.
 Answer IMO E.
P2: "It combined the flexibility and suppleness of cloth with the impact-absorbing mass and cut resistance of rigid metal plates."

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them.
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era.
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century.
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread.
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today.
 IMO Answer D
P3: "Eventually the ascendancy of improved stabbing and piercing weapons accelerated the obsolescence of linked mail armor, and the need for greater protection spurred the development of armors revolving around cleverly articulated rigid steel plates instead. "

rocky620 · Answer

1. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about ancient Roman armor?

A. The lorica segmentata fell into disuse and then had a resurgence in the medieval period...... The craft of fashioning fell into disuse, not the armor itself. ELiminate 
B. Ancient Roman linked-mail armor was less effective than the armor made in the fourteenth century...... It was more practical in 14th cent, that it was in Ancient. Has it not been effective the elites or the heavy cavalry troops would not have used them. Eliminate 
C. The improved stabbing and piercing weapons used by Rome's military opponents made flexible mail armor impractical for Roman troops...... Yes the became obsolete once enhanced weapons arrived. 
D. Armor made from segmented steel plates was unsuitable for wear by cavalry troops...... It Was more practical, doesnot mean that it was unsuitable. 
E. The lorica segmentata was a more pragmatic form of protection for infantry than flexible mail armor..... It was a more pragmatic form pf production not protection.

2. Which of the following most closely resembles the physical dynamic by which flexible linked metal armor provides protection?

The mail armor/flexible linked armor dispersed the force of blunt objects, absorbed significant amount of force and hence eliminate the risk of greater injuries on the skin/flesh.
The sharp objects were unable to penetrate.

A. A construction worker's hard hat provides a sloping, rigid barrier that causes falling objects to glance away...... Eliminate 
B. A tank's reactive armor is sandwiched with explosive materials that blast outward when the surface is penetrated...... Explosion from sandwiched materials? Eliminate. 
C. A material woven of ballistic nylon, when struck by a projectile, transfers force out across its surface instead of allowing the force to pass through...... Yes dispersion of force is happening. Keep it. 
D. A cyclist's helmet absorbs force by strategically crushing and breaking apart on impact...... Force absorption is fine, but not breaking apart. Eliminate. 
E. Aship's compartmented hull provides barriers that successively contain and disperse the force crashing through a bulkhead......  Continment is fine, but dispersion? Where. Eliminate.

3. Which of the following statements is best supported by the passage?

A. Military technologies in the era of steel hand weapons succeeded primarily because of the existence of an adequate network of skilled craftsmen to support them...... Adequate network? Eliminate 
B. Flexible metal link armor represented a practical solution to a technological need in a particular historical era...... Ye it was a practical solution in 14th century, but once the weapons were made sharper/enhanced it became obsolete. Keep It  
C. The availability of practical mail armor was limited mainly to the fourteenth century...... No it was also present in ancient rome. Eliminate. 
D. Linked metal armor was of such limited usefulness that it quickly became obsolete as soon as the superior technology of articulated metal plates became widespread...... It became obsolete because of enhanced weapons, not because of metal plates. Eliminate 
E. The unique characteristics of flexible linked metal armor make it a useful solution to technological applications today...... OFS. Eliminate.

IMO Options C, C, B

Sajjad1994 · Answer

This question is 700-level difficult. It is especially more difficult for non-natives. OAs are ECB. To all those got all correct I would say please keep in mind the time consideration too, If you got all correct outside of the time limit it is not good and anyone can do this, If you are not taking care of the time spent you might be on top here but struggle in the real test. Time is money so don’t forget to time yourself while solving any GMAT question.

Tahamohsin Deepakjhamb Sumi1010 BIDJI23 Excellent work.

Good Luck for today's questions, I will post the points table shortly.

Thank you

Tahamohsin   Deepakjhamb   Sumi1010   BIDJI23  Excellent work.

Good Luck for today's questions, I will post the points table shortly.

Thank you

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Added two new questions (Qs 4-5), bumping up for further discussion.

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

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Flexible personal body armor made from interlocking iron or steel ring

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Flexible personal body armor made from interlocking iron or steel ring

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