The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi

Question

The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi Seas following a gradual drop in sea level during the Quaternary period (the last 2 million years). About 20,000 years ago the land bridge extended from Unalaska Island of the Aleutian chain on the southeast, and from near the mouth of the Mackenzie River of Canada on the east to near the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers of eastern Siberia on the west, and northwestward to Cape Olyutorsky of the Koryak area north of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Archaeologists believe that the first humans to penetrate North America used this bridge, migrating from northeast Asia to northwestern Canada. This migration probably occurred during the last major phase of the Wisconsin glaciation, a period that began approximately 30,000 years ago and lasted approximately 20,000 years. As this period ended, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again. When the bridge existed, much of the area was not glaciated; it supported Arctic vegetation, particularly tundra, dry grasslands, marsh vegetation, and boreal forests. These plants supplied ample food for grazing animals, including horses, reindeer, and such Ice Age species as mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros. The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities.    1 
 1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?

A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge
B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits
C. Recent discoveries of plant species that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans
D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge
E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water

2 
 2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that the migration across the Bering Land Bridge did not take place five thousand years ago because

A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable
B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago
C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed
D. the two continents, Asia and North! America, would have been separated due to continental drift
E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct

3 
 3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of

A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula
B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River
C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River
E. similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky

4 
 4. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data
B. arguing against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts
C. discussing the history of human migration
D. presenting several possible scenarios for a series of historical events
E. critiquing the natural history of man

5 
 5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period

A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets
D. humans did not penetrate North America
E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals

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 Passage # 02  |  Date: 01 March 2022 
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ElninoEffect · Answer

1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?

A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge
The author gives examples of other animals also which are still present. So partially correct.
B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits
The author is giving examples of vegetation and various animals and is not supporting any theories.
C. Recent discoveries of plant species that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans
Nowhere it has been stated as such.
D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge
Again this has not been discussed.
E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water
 Yes, the second paragraph is all about the same.

2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that the migration across the Bering Land Bridge did not take place five thousand years ago because

A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable
 Exactaly it has been clearly stated like that. 
B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago
Although this is correct this is not the reason why it was impossible to migrate 5000 years ago.
C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed
Not the exact reason.
D. the two continents, Asia and North! America, would have been separated due to continental drift
No such thing has been discussed.
E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct
Not exactaly the reason.

3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of

A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula
Although the presence of various kinds of animals has been discussed in the second paragraph and mammoth is also one of them also the timeline is correct but we have a better option at E as it backs the point of the entire passage.
B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River
This evidence has no claim to support to.
C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
We have a better option at A.
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River
The timeline is off.
E. similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky
 If similar human skeletons are found it proves the point that the same humans migrated from one place to another

4. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data
 Of all the options this is the best. 
B. arguing against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts
The author is not arguing against anything in fact he is providing data to support a fact.
C. discussing the history of human migration
Ahhh we can say so, particularly between east Asia and western Canada but other information is also provided. We have a better option at A.
D. presenting several possible scenarios for a series of historical events
We are discussing only one event and only one scenario has been discussed.
E. critiquing the natural history of man
Author is not critiquing anything.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period

A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals
We cannot infer that.
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation
Nothing has been specified as such.
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets
We cannot infer that.
D. humans did not penetrate North America
 Yes, the entire passage is to discuss the same. 
E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals
We cannot infer that.

Archit3110 · Answer

1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?

A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge  
correct option ; passage mentions of animals now extinct and plants
B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits
C. Recent discoveries of plant species that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans
D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge
E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water

2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that the migration across the Bering Land Bridge did not take place five thousand years ago because

A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable 
event happened 30,000 years ago and lasted approximately 20,000 years ; correct option
B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago
C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed
D. the two continents, Asia and North! America, would have been separated due to continental drift
E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct

3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of

A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula
 B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River 
given in passage that the land bridge ' and bridge extended from Unalaska Island of the Aleutian chain on the southeast, and from near the mouth of the Mackenzie River of Canada on the east to near the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers of eastern Siberia on the west, and northwestward to Cape Olyutorsky of the Koryak area north of the Kamchatka Peninsula.'
correct

C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River
E. similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky

4. The passage is primarily concerned with
 
A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data  ; correct option

B. arguing against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts
C. discussing the history of human migration
D. presenting several possible scenarios for a series of historical events
E. critiquing the natural history of man

5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period

A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets
D. humans did not penetrate North America
 E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals 
given in passage ' When the bridge existed, much of the area was not glaciated; it supported Arctic vegetation, particularly tundra, dry grasslands, marsh vegetation, and boreal forests. These plants supplied ample food for grazing animals,'

Hoozan · Answer

I don't feel confident with this one. So I am just going to post my answers and wait for the OA :p

1 - E
2 - A
3 - D
4 - A
5 - D

waseem31 · Answer

1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?

A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge - Incorrect. Nothing suggests that the animals are now-extinct.
B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits - Incorrect. Widely held theories are not discussed.
C. Recent discoveries of plant species that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans- Incorrect. We don't know whether the plant species formed basis of human diet.
D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge - Incorrect. Author never uses this to support the claim that humans crossed the bridge.
E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water -  Correct. This is stated by author. The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities. This support the claim that humans crossed the bridge.

2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that the migration across the Bering Land Bridge did not take place five thousand years ago because

A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable - Correct. 5,000 years ago, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again. This suggests that migration did not take place 5,000 years ago.
B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago - Incorrect. This could mean that the glaciers melted after this period. This gives a reason why migration could have taken place 5,000 years ago
C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed - Does not explain why migration did not take place.
D. the two continents, Asia and North! America, would have been separated due to continental drift - Continental drift is not mentioned.
E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct - Does not explain why migration did not take place.

3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of

We need an answer choice which shows that humans and animals both co-existed at that point in time. Only option B gives this explanation.

A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula 
B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River 
C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River
E. similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky

4. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data - Correct. Thesis - Emergence of Bering Bridge. Supporting Data - Users of bridge, glacial activity, whether bridge supported life etc.
B. arguing against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts - Incorrect. does not argue. passage tone is neutral.
C. discussing the history of human migration - Incorrect. This is not the main concern of the passage. History of human migration is discussed very briefly.
D. presenting several possible scenarios for a series of historical events - Incorrect. No series of historical events is discussed.
E. critiquing the natural history of man - Incorrect. does not critique anything. passage tone is neutral.

5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period

The passage says that bridge emerged during quartenary period following a drop in sea level. From this we can infer that bridge was covered in water/ice before quartenary period. We can infer option C only.

A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets
D. humans did not penetrate North America
E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals

zhanbo · Answer

(1)  My answer is  (E) .
The only sentence that the author use to support the claim is the last sentence "The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities." So we need to find a paraphrase of "The presence of fish and bird fossils". Only (E) is acceptable. 
(CD) mention more convincing evidence but not discussed in the texts.

(2)  My answer is  (A) 
" As this period ended, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again."

(3)  My answer is  (E) .
Only (B) and (E) are enticing. But (B) does not support migration. 
For (E) to be correct, one has to go back to the first paragraph, which is rife with geographic names. Or. just choose (E) by POE. 
In an actual discussion of this subject, a map is almost always provided.

(4)  My answer is  (A) . 
(A) The thesis is "the first humans to penetrate North America used this bridge". The supporting evidence consists mainly of the last sentence. 
(B) No traditional interpretation is presented. Or, put it another way, the interpretation is the traditional one, yet no argument against it is provided. 
(C) It is impossible to discuss the history in mere two paragraphs.
(D) Only one scenario is presented. 
(E) Neutral tone does not lend evidence to critique.

(5)  My answer is  (D) . 
Archaeologists believe that the  first  humans to penetrate North America used this bridge...

sshwetima · Answer

The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi Seas following a gradual drop in sea level during the Quaternary period (the last 2 million years). About 20,000 years ago the land bridge extended from Unalaska Island of the Aleutian chain on the southeast, and from near the mouth of the Mackenzie River of Canada on the east to near the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers of eastern Siberia on the west, and northwestward to Cape Olyutorsky of the Koryak area north of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

Archaeologists believe that the first humans to penetrate North America used this bridge, migrating from northeast Asia to northwestern Canada.  This migration probably occurred during the last major phase of the Wisconsin glaciation, a period that began approximately 30,000 years ago and lasted approximately 20,000 years.  As this period ended, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again.  When the bridge existed, much of the area was not glaciated; it supported Arctic vegetation, particularly tundra, dry grasslands, marsh vegetation, and boreal forests. These plants supplied ample food for grazing animals, including horses, reindeer, and such Ice Age species as mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros.  The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities.

1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?

A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge 
 B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits 
 C. Recent discoveries of plant species that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans  - The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities.
 D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge 
 E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water

2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that the migration across the Bering Land Bridge did not take place five thousand years ago because

A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable  - As this period ended, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again
 B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago 
 C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed 
 D. the two continents, Asia and North! America, would have been separated due to continental drift 
 E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct

3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of

A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula
B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River
C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River 
 E. similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky  - as mentioned in passage - Archaeologists believe that the first humans to penetrate North America used this bridge, migrating from northeast Asia to northwestern Canada.

4. The passage is primarily concerned with

A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data  - thesis is 1st human migration from east to west. Supporting data is presence of bridge making it possible the migration of other animals and vegetation that supported human life
 B. arguing against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts 
 C. discussing the history of human migration 
 D. presenting several possible scenarios for a series of historical events 
 E. critiquing the natural history of man

5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period

A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets 
 D. humans did not penetrate North America  - as mentioned in passage - Archaeologists believe that the first humans to penetrate North America used this bridge, migrating from northeast Asia to northwestern Canada.
 E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Competition mode is off now for this passage so everyone can see others' replies.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello Everyone!

OAs of this passage are also posted now: EAEAD

Great take by  zhanbo

Good luck everyone for today's questions

Solenja · Answer

Hey Sajjad,
Can you please the range difficulty of these questions?
Thank you!

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Following should be the difficulty level of each question, in my opinion.

Question #1: 650
Question #2: 600-650
Question #3: 700
Question #4: 650-700
Question #5: 650-700

Overall: 650-700

100mitra · Answer

Passage:   224 words
  Read Time:   3 mins
  Correct:   5/5

Paragraph structure:   Introducing supposition and supporting evidence to it
  Paraphrasing:  
 Para 1:  Description of “ The Bering land bridge ” in terms of its emerge and its stretch area 
 Para 2:  “ The Bering land bridge ” has had been used of transportation, supported Arctic vegetation for animals present in that era, and supported human communities, which later melted and caused the sea level to rise again

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Which of the following does the author use to support the claim that 
humans crossed the Bering Land Bridge from Asia to North America?  
A. The presence of the remains of now-extinct animals on both sides of the Bering Land Bridge
  - wrong    (Logically speaks no information about transportation) 
B. Widely held theories describing early human migratory habits 
  - wrong    (no theories mentioned in the passage) 
C. Recent discoveries of plant species 
that are known to have formed the basis of the diets of early humans 
  - wrong    (Logically speaks no information about transportation) 
D. Archaeologists' uncovering of man-made tools on the Alaskan side of the Bering Land Bridge
  - wrong    (out of scope) 
  E. The clear presence of animal life during the years when Beringia was still above water   
-   correct   - Para 2 – last line “ The presence of fish and bird fossils points to the possibility that Beringia could have supported human communities .”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. It can be inferred from the second paragraph of the passage that 
the migration across the Bering Land Bridge 
did not take place five thousand years ago because  
  A. the melting of glaciers and continental ice sheets would have flooded the bridge, making it impassable  
-   correct   – as mentioned in para 2 – " as Wisconsin glaciation period ended, the two continents were separated as major continental ice sheets and other glaciers melted and caused the sea level to rise again” supported by information in para 1 “About 20,000 years ago the land bridge extended from A to B ”
B. the Wisconsin glaciation period lasted from thirty thousand to ten thousand years ago
  - wrong   –  Trap! (Beware of option, which is mentioned in the passage, it works as a direct information, and creates as a dilution for inference, with this option we cannot infer) 
C. by then, most sources of vegetation that supported animals would have been destroyed
  - wrong   –  would be, but “been destroyed” such information is not mentioned in the passage.  
D. the two continents, Asia and North America, would have been separated due to continental drift 
  - wrong   –  out of scope, no information mentioned in the passage  
E. by that time, mammoths, mastodons, and woolly rhinoceros had become extinct
  - wrong   –  out of scope, no information mentioned in the passage

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. The author's argument in the second paragraph would be most supported by the discovery of  
  As mentioned in the passage,  
1. “ This migration probably occurred during the last major phase of the Wisconsin glaciation, a period that began approximately 30,000 years ago and lasted approximately 20,000 years ” – the answer must be in  this time range 
2. “ the land bridge extended from Unalaska Island of the Aleutian chain on the southeast, and from near the mouth of the Mackenzie River of Canada on the east to near the Kolyma and Indigirka rivers of eastern Siberia on the west, and northwestward to Cape Olyutorsky of the Koryak area north of the Kamchatka Peninsula ” – the answer must be  in this location range

Correct Option is E: similar 20,000-year-old human skeletons on Unalaska Island and at Cape Olyutorsky

Eliminate A, B, C and D – either  it is out of time range  or  it is out of location range   
A. a 20,000-year-old, undersized mammoth skeleton on the Kamchatka Peninsula
B. 18,000-year-old cave drawings depicting humans and animals near the Mackenzie River
C. fossilized vegetation at Cape Olyutorsky that may have been part of the mammoth's diet
D. a 35,000-year-old reindeer skeleton near the Kolyma River

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. The passage is primarily concerned with  
  A. offering a thesis then providing supporting data – correct   
B.   arguing   against a traditional interpretation of a series of geological facts   - wrong  
C.  discussing  the history of human  migration    - wrong   
D.  presenting several possible scenarios  for a series of historical events   - wrong  
E.  critiquing  the natural history of man   - wrong

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. It can be inferred from the passage that before the Quaternary period  
  As mentioned in the passage,   
1. “ The Bering Land Bridge, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi Seas following a gradual drop in sea level during the Quaternary period (the last 2 million years) ”
2. “ This migration probably occurred during the last major phase of the Wisconsin glaciation, a period that began approximately 30,000 years ago and lasted approximately 20,000 years ”

Intended meaning:     before Quaternary period, the sea level was comparatively high, which later got dropped to land surface till 20,000 years ago, that made surface available for humans to migrate .
 
A. animals may have crossed the Bering Land Bridge at many different intervals 
  - wrong    (we have information, once bridge existed)  
B. animals only crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the last phase of the Wisconsin glaciation 
  - wrong    (this information is only about humans, as mentioned in the passage) 
C. Siberia was covered in continental ice sheets   - wrong    – out of scope 
  D. humans did not penetrate North America – correct – as per analysis mentioned above  
E. the plant life on Beringia had evolved sufficiently to support only grazing animals
  - wrong    (we have information, once bridge existed)

The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi

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The Bering Land Bridge, or Beringia, emerged in the Bering and Chukchi

Prep Toolkit

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

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards