In 2004, Jared Diamond published Collapse, a rigorous analysis of why

Question

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Passage # 24, Date: 12-Apr-2020
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In 2004, Jared Diamond published Collapse, a rigorous analysis of why certain ancient societies have perished. His groundbreaking study explored the environmental and historical factors that contributed to the demise of the “Viking colonies” of Greenland, the Polynesians of Easter Island, and the Anasazi of the American southwest. Diamond’s core thesis was that human recklessness and lack of foresight were the major factors in precipitating the ends of these societies.

Diamond’s work was among the first to seek out the commonalities between deforestation in Easter Island and resource depletion in ancient Greenland. Because he posited that human agency played a key role in determining whether cultures disintegrate or thrive, his message was viewed by many prominent environmental activists as a call to action – societies can remain vibrant providing they make prudent decisions regarding resource management.

However, many critics have claimed that Diamond’s explanations for the extinctions of ancient societies were simplistic, and placed undue blame on the regions’ inhabitants. For example, Terry Hunt, an archaeologist at the University of Hawaii, has claimed that the Polynesian deforestation, which Diamond attributed to the recklessness of the native peoples, was actually caused by predatory rats. Moreover, Hunt has noted that Diamond overlooked the role that European disease played in decimating native populations. If these other factors are taken into account, the issue of blame becomes a far more complex one and some of Diamond’s positions may need to be reconsidered.   1 
 1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?

A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans
 B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior
 C) The fact that cultures were unable to accurately predict the future
 D) The fact that there was proper resource management
 E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources

2 
 2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.
 B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.
 C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.
 D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.
 E) Provide an addition to an existing study.

3 
 3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?

A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.
 B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island.
 C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.
 D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society.
 E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.

4 
 4. According to the passage, all of the following were used by Diamond or Hunt to support their positions EXCEPT:

A. deforestation on Easter Island resulting from reckless behavior or lack of foresight
B. resource depletion in Greenland resulting from reckless behavior or lack of foresight
C. the spreading of disease by Europeans among some native populations
D. deforestation on Easter Island resulting from animal behavior
E. overuse of pasture land by animals of the Anasazi in the American southwest

Gowtham91 · Answer

Q1. Option C - This info is provided in the last sentence of para1.
Q2. Option C - Para1 sets the context to the passage, para2 deals with proponents of Diamonds theory, para3 deals with the critics view of Diamond's theory. And hence the overall purpose of the passage is to analyse the study and its implications. 
Q3. Option D - This can be inferred from para1 where Diamond attributes recklessness as the reason for perishing of societies. And can also be inferred from para3, where Terry said Diamond used polynesian deforestation as the reason. And hence it MUST be true.

Yashika123 · Answer

ANS 1 E Option because he clearly states that in para 3 that it was actually caused by predatory rats which is not human based cause of depletion.
 2 A option He initially states a research and then in last he refutes the points which are pointed by author as cause of depletion.
 3 D option Polynesian deforestation was not the real cause of depletion and is just stated by Jared to give his point.

kris19 · Answer

1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?

A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans
 not correct: Hunt used this info, not Diamond

B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior
 not correct: again, Hunt used this info, not Diamond

C) The fact that cultures were unable to accurately predict the future
 not correct: Diamond considers humans lack of foresight was part of his core thesis, but not able to predict future accurately

D) The fact that there was proper resource management
 not correct: again, this is the view that attracted environmentalists to his message

E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources
 correct: Diamond study explored the 'environmental and historical factors' that contributed to the demise of the “Viking colonies” of Greenland, the Polynesians of Easter Island, so we can say that 'environmental factors' contributed to he depletion of food sources

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.
 not correct: Although Diamond's study overlooked some aspects of the demise of ancient societies, he was the first to consider commonalities between two societies, and as the last para says 'some of Diamond’s positions may need to be reconsidered' that there is some merit in his research

B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.
 not correct: passage doesn't say that there is a controversy

C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.
 correct: Diamond's 'rigorous' research is analysed and how Hunt's research made to reconsider some of Diamond's positions

D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.
 not correct: passage doesn't say that Diamond's or Hunt's research is misguided

E) Provide an addition to an existing study.
 not correct: Details about Diamond's research are given and how some critics have brought new evidence which shows that Diamond's claims need to be reconsidered

3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?

A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.
not correct: passage says that predatory rats caused Poly deforestation, but no details about the actions of Poly are given. Recklessness of native people is attributed to the deforestation, but recklessness is not same as actions of the Polynesian people - IMO.

B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island.
 not correct: This info is used by Diamond, not by Hunt

C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.
 not correct: deforestation is not connected to the lack of foresight of the Polynesian people

D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society.
 correct: Diamond says that environmental factors caused demise of ancient societies and deforestation is a kind of environmental factor that is caused by recklessness of native people

E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.
 not correct: Diamond’s work was among the first to seek out the commonalities between deforestation in Easter Island and resource depletion in ancient Greenland, but it doesn't say that it is 'surprisingly'

Subash22 · Answer

1C Not very sure if animal behavior includes human behavior. Going with C
2A Last sentence explicitly states the position may need to be reconsidered.
3D Other options are countered in the passage

AnirudhaS · Answer

Answers are in  bold .

1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?
A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans
B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior
 C) The fact that cultures were unable to accurately predict the future 
D) The fact that there was proper resource management
E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources

Explanation of question 1 
The question is asking what piece of evidence is core to his thesis, which means what is the central concept Jared is exploiting to reach his conclusion. They are 2 fold - 1. human recklessness, 2. lack of foresight. So any answer choice which encompasses this would be our answer.
A - diseases from Eastern Europe was used as a counter-point by Terry Hunt, not Diamond.
B - It was not animal behaviour, but of humans, according to Diamond.
C - Nice, this nicely sits with 'lack of foresight'. Keep this in.
D - There WASNT a proper resource management.
E - Not NATURAL, it was human-led according to Diamond.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:
A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.
B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.
 C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications. 
D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.
E) Provide an addition to an existing study.

Explanation of question 2 
The author first introduces Diamond's groundbreaking study about downfall of ancient societies. Then the author further probes into the study with a few examples of commonalities of different communities having the same fate. Finally he gives a counter-example to his theory by stating another scholar Terry Hunt and specifies the counter-argument. Now lets go to the options -
A - The primary purpose is not just to refute Diamond's work. There is so much more to that as specified in our quick summary above.
B - Thats not the main point, calling for more research.
C - Fits in perfect with our summary.
D - He does not take sides, he just presents one view and also presents a counter-viewpoint to that. In other words he analyzes.
E - Nope, not just that.
C is our answer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?
A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.
B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island.
C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.
 D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society. 
E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.

Explanation of question 3 
The question asks which is a MUST BE TRUE, not necessarily CAN BE TRUE. There is adifference!
A - It MAY be caused by rats, but cannot be definitively proven.
B - Terry Hunt opposed this viewpoint. Completely opposite answer.
C - This is the view point of Diamond. It is NOT definitively proven hence this situation is a MAY BE, not a must be true.
D - There you go, this option tells you that the opinion of one person (Diamond) was that. Cool, this is stated and therefore must be true.
E - It was not 'surprisingly' similar. Diamond was looking for a few similarities, if it existed. Look at what the author states - "Diamond’s work was among the first to  seek out the commonalities  between deforestation in Easter Island and resource depletion in ancient Greenland.". Understood the difference with the subtle play on words?
D is our answer.

SSandy066 · Answer

1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?

A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans
B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior - > Correct.  
 Explanation: Para 2” Diamond’s work was among the first to seek out ….. deforestation in Easter ...and resource depletion …”  
C) The fact that cultures were unable to accurately predict the future
D) The fact that there was proper resource management
E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.
B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.
C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.  -> Correct.  
 Explanation: Para 1 introduce Diamond Theory.
 Para 2 given its important point of theory and support of the piece of theory.
Para3 critics view and counter example which provides flaws in Diamond theory. 
D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.
E) Provide an addition to an existing study.

3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?
A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.  -> Correct  
 Explanation: “…..Terry Hunt, an archaeologist at the University of Hawaii, has claimed that the Polynesian deforestation, which Diamond attributed to the recklessness of the native peoples, was actually caused by predatory rats….. If these other factors are taken into account, ….some of Diamond’s positions may need to be reconsidered.” 
B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island.
C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.
D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society.
E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.

gvvsnraju@12 · Answer

P-1 : JD's Publication, JD explored, his core thesis
P-2: First to seek; Implication of his study on Environmentalists.
P-3: Views of Others on JD's study;
Author is conditional about JD's Study.

1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?
Answer
A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans
This was used by TH, not by JD.
B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior
Not mentioned.
C) The fact that cultures were unable to accurately predict the future
Yes. As per Para-1, Last sentence, human recklessness and  lack of foresight  were the major factors
D) The fact that there was proper resource management
This was used by Environmentalists, Not by JD.
E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources
Not mentioned about natural depletion.

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.
Not refuted.
B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.
Not called, but conditional;
C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.
Correct.
D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.
Misguided is too extreme. Some points are challenged by others.
E) Provide an addition to an existing study.
No addition.

3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?
Mentioned in Para-1 & Para-3
A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.
It was point put forth by TH, not authenticated by author.
B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island.
TH cited Rats and disease caused demise of Island.
C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.
It was point put forth by JD, not authenticated by author.
D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society.
Para-2 says this.
E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.
Not surprising at all.

GDT · Answer

1) According to the passage, which of the following is used by Diamond as piece of evidence for his core thesis?

The passage mentions the following towards the end of 1st para 
"Diamond’s core thesis was that  human recklessness and lack of foresight  were the major factors in precipitating the ends of these societies."

A) The fact that diseases were introduced by Europeans  Incorrect. Nothing of this sort has been mentioned 
B) The fact that deforestation resulted from animal behavior  Incorrect 
C) The fact that cultures were  unable to accurately predict the future    Correct.  
D) The fact that there was proper resource management  In fact, he claims that there wasn't 
E) The fact that there was a natural depletion of food sources  Incorrect

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

A) Refute the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.  There is not a complete denial or refutation of his research 
B) Call for more research to help evaluate a controversial position.  Incorrect. 
C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.  Incorrect 
D) Suggest that a particular research study is misguided.   Correct. Though Diamond's research may have been correct to some extent but not considering other equally important factors make it misguided or delusional  
E) Provide an addition to an existing study.  Incorrect

3) According to the passage, which of the following must be true of Polynesian deforestation?

In the passage, Diamond through his research tries to show that human recklessness was main factor for deforestation in Polynesian. His critics, on the other hand, say that he has not considered predatory rats who were chiefly responsible for deforestation. So we can infer from this that both these factors were responsible and no one was solely responsible 
 
A) It was caused by predatory rats, and not by the actions of the Polynesian people as has been theorized.  We can't infer this as both causes are given in the passage 
B) It was cited by Terry Hunt as the cause of the demise of the Polynesians of Easter Island. 
C) It was caused by the recklessness and lack of foresight of the Polynesian people.  We can't infer this as both causes are given in the passage 
D) It was used by Jared Diamond to illustrate how human recklessness can lead to the demise of a society.   Correct. He cites this as an example  
E) It was surprisingly similar to the resource depletion that occurred in ancient Greenland.  Incorrect

Sajjad1994 · Answer

OAs of this RC are posted now, If anyone have any question kindly let me know.

1. C
2. C
3. D

Gautam12121991 good one this time. AnirudhaS 3/3. SSandy066 You should worry if you didn't get this one. gvvsnraju@12 your reasoning for correct answer is not doubt good but try to elaborate why incorrect answers are incorrect. This could not be the reasoning that "as the correct answer is correct other options are incorrect"

.

Good Luck all and stay tuned for today's RC and today's leader's board update. Thank you all

Regards

. Good Luck all and stay tuned for today's RC and today's leader's board update. Thank you all Regards

Sajjad1994 · Answer

For all those who are looking for a  700+  GMAT score, if you didn't get all correct for this RC you should  worry about your score . This was a pretty straight forward, medium level and a quality passage.

1. 600 Level
2. 600 Level
3. 650 Level

For all those struck between the  two answer options  and selected the bad one, here i can suggest which option was close to the answer but was incorrect.

Question#1

Option C and only C

Question #2

B and C are close but B is incorrect.

Question #3

B and D are close but B is incorrect here.

So if you were on the line with the above options it means you can improve and your are getting what is written in the passage but you are not applying your knowledge correctly.

Sajjad

Hoozan · Answer

SajjadAhmad

I am unable to understand why C is the correct answer choice for Q2.

How are we Analyzing a significant research study and  its implications.  What implications???

Please could you provide the official answer choice

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2) The primary purpose of this passage is to:

Difficulty Level:   Hard

Explanation

In the GMAT just don't find perfection in the answer choices because we have to pick up the answer which is better than other four options.

A)   Refute   the opinion put forth in an important piece of research.

The word refute make this option wrong because author never refute anything. If author said that something about the research  must be wrong  then he or she refute that thing so there is nothing as such.

B)   Call for more research   to help evaluate a   controversial position.

This option is second best. The words "controversial position." make it a close call but the word "Call for more research" make it wrong. This is half true half false answer choice so look something better than this.

C) Analyze a significant research study and its implications.

This is right answer choice or i should say best among the five. How we can find the implications?

In the first para: 
His groundbreaking study explored the environmental and historical factors that  contributed  to the demise of the “Viking colonies” of Greenland, the Polynesians of Easter Island.

In the second para:  
Diamond’s work was among the first  to seek out the commonalities  between deforestation in Easter Island and resource depletion in ancient Greenland.

The underlined words above suggests the implications of Jared Diamond.

D) Suggest that a particular research study is   misguided.

Author never said anything like that. Word misguided made this option an extreme one.

E)   Provide an addition   to an existing study.

Nothing provided as an addition. So (E) is out.

Answer: C

Does that all make sense?

Praveenksinha · Answer

I am not able to comprehend primary purpose question, is there a method to handle primary purpose questions?

adstudy · Answer

Hey Praveenksinha , I personally will recommend you to go through GMATNinja's RC Video series organized by GMATClub. Just search on the GMATClub forum. It should be an easy find. It has really helped me and it may just help you out as well. All the best

whenlambo · Answer

Sajjad1994 
I am looking to do all Veritas RC's. I want to go through official answers for all questions I go right or wrong. 
Where can I find them?

The free vertias Q bank doesnt have a search feature.

Is there a pdf with all questions and answers on gmatclub?

Sajjad1994 · Answer

You can find 100+ Veritas Prep GMAT RCs here in the link below. https://gmatclub.com/forum/search.php?s ... tag_id=274 PDF is not available. Thank you!

In 2004, Jared Diamond published Collapse, a rigorous analysis of why

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In 2004, Jared Diamond published Collapse, a rigorous analysis of why

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