In The Dynamics of Apocalypse, John Lowe attempts to solve the mystery

Hi SajjadAhmad..


Please post explanation of Question 2 and question 5

Hope it helps

Hope it helps

All correct in 10 mins, including 4 mins 45 seconds to read.

Para 1- John Lowe attempts to solve the mystery of the collapse of the Classic Mayan civilization; chronology
Para 2- plausible explanation- population growth within the elite lead to series of events
Para 3- A potential flaw- how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity

1. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the passage?
(D) The basis of a study is described, a theory that explains the available evidence is presented, and a possible flaw in the study is pointed out.- Correct, John Lowe's The Dynamics of Apocalypse is described and evidence used is presented and a possible flaw is listed

2. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?
(E) While John Lowe's theory about the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization appears credible, it is based on an assumption that cannot be verified using the archaeological record.- Correct
If there is a central flaw in Lowe's explanation, it is that the entire edifice rests on the assumption that the available evidence paints a true picture of how the collapse proceeded. However, it is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity, especially of a complex civilization such as the Mayans, and a hypothesis can be tested only against the best available data.

3. Which one of the following is most closely analogous to the assumption Lowe makes about the relationship between monument construction and Classic Mayan cities?
(E) A person assumes a friend has sold her stamp collection because the friend has stopped purchasing new stamps.- Correct, the logic here analogous to underlined logic below-
Using the erection of new monuments as a means to determine a site's occupation span, Lowe assumes that once new monuments ceased to be built, a site had been abandoned.


4. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would describe the method Lowe used to construct a step-by step chronology of the actual collapse of Classic Mayan civilization as
(A) daringly innovative but flawed- incorrect, Like previous investigators, Lowe relies on dated monuments to construct a step-by-step account of the actual collapse. - So, it does not seem daringly innovative and the author did not say for certain that the model was flawed
(B) generally accepted but questionable- Correct, the author agrees with the model but lists a potential flaw
(C) very reliable but outdated- incorrect, the author never states that it is very reliable but is now outdated
(D) unscientific but effective- incorrect
(E) unconventional but brilliant- incorrect, nothing to suggest that it is unconventional


5. The author of the passage would most likely agree with which one of the following statements about the use of the archaeological record to reconstruct historic activity?
(E) Historic activity can be reconstructed from archaeological evidence, but it is ultimately impossible to confirm the accuracy of the reconstruction.

However, it is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity, especially of a complex civilization such as the Mayans, and a hypothesis can be tested only against the best available data. It is quite possible that our understanding of the collapse might be radically altered by better data.

Hi everyone,

All correct in 9:50 minutes including 5:10 minutes to read, write down paragraphs summaries and main point.

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P1
Paragraph 1 tells us the intention of Lowe in writing his book. He wants to solve a mystery about the collapse of the maya.
Throughout the paragraph we are given the logic used by the author: the main logic is that if the building of constructions is stopped then there will be a collapse.
The rest of the paragraph talks about the historical timeline, which starts with the expansion and ends with the collapse


Brief summary: Lowe's logic and reconstruction of historical events

P2
Paragraph 2 explains Lowe's reasons for the collapse: the collapse started because the population, especially the elite, started growing and this led to numerous consequences: more stress on agricultural fields, low soil productivity....
Another reason is that many people during the war escaped impoverished areas.

Brief summary: the reasons for the collapse are explained.

P3

Paragraph 3 talks about a flaw in Lowe's theory. The flaw is that what lowe's says us based on the available data but if other data is introduced it might completely change the outcome of the theory.

Brief summary: A flaw of Lowe's theory is presented

Main point

To discuss Lowe's study about Maya's collapse.

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1. Which one of the following best describes the organization of the passage?

Pre-thinking

Structure question

Refer to the following: 1 Lowe's reconstruction of events is presented along with the logic used. 2 Causes behind the collapse of mayas are presented. 3 A flaw in the logic used by Lowe is presented


(A) A method used to analyze evidence is described, an explanation of the evidence is suggested, and then a conclusion is drawn from the evidence.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect

(B) A hypothesis is presented, evidence supporting the hypothesis is provided, and then the hypothesis is affirmed.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect

(C) An analysis of a study is presented, contradictory evidence is examined, and then a direction for future studies is suggested.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect

(D) The basis of a study is described, a theory that explains the available evidence is presented, and a possible flaw in the study is pointed out.
In line with pre-thinking

(E) An observation is made, evidence supporting the observation is presented, and then contradictions in the evidence are discussed.
Not in line with pre-thinking. Hence incorrect


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2. Which one of the following best expresses the main idea of the passage?

Pre-thinking

Main point question

Refer to main point above


(A) In The Dynamics of Apocalypse, John Lowe successfully proves that the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization was set in motion by
increasing population and decreasing productivity.
Considering the flaw in last paragraph, incorrect

(B) In The Dynamics of Apocalypse, John Lowe breaks new ground in solving the mystery of the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization through
his use of dated monuments to create a step-bystep account of the collapse.
No new ground

(C) In The Dynamics of Apocalypse, John Lowe successfully uses existing data to document the reduction and then cessation of new construction
throughout Classic Mayan civilization.
Same reasoning as for option A

(D) Although John Lowe's study is based on a careful examination of the historical record, it does not accurately reflect the circumstances surrounding the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization.
The circumstances are out of scope

(E) While John Lowe's theory about the collapse of Classic Mayan civilization appears credible, it is based on an assumption that cannot be verified using the archaeological record.
In line with pre-thinking

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3. Which one of the following is most closely analogous to the assumption Lowe makes about the relationship between monument construction and Classic Mayan cities?

Pre-thinking

Analogous scenario question

The reasoning used by Lowe is that when a population ceases to build buildings then there will be a decline


(A) A person assumes that the shortage of fresh produce on the shelves of a grocery store is due to the effects of poor weather conditions
during the growing season.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(B) A person assumes that a movie theater only shows foreign films because the titles of the films shown there are not familiar to the person.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(C) Aperson assumes that a restaurant is under new ownership because the restaurants menu has changed drastically since the last time the person ate there.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(D) A person assumes that a corporation has been sold because there is a new name for the corporation on the sign outside the building where the company is located.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(E) A person assumes a friend has sold her stamp collection because the friend has stopped purchasing new stamps.
in line with pre-thinking

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4. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would describe the method Lowe used to construct a step-bystep chronology of the actual collapse of Classic Mayan civilization as

Pre-thinking

Inference question

According to the last paragraph the author thinks that this method is biased because it only uses the best available evidence


(A) daringly innovative but flawed
Not in line with pre-thinking

(B) generally accepted but questionable
in line with pre-thinking

(C) very reliable but outdated
Not in line with pre-thinking

(D) unscientific but effective
Not in line with pre-thinking

(E) unconventional but brilliant
Not in line with pre-thinking

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5. The author of the passage would most likely agree with which one of the following statements about the use of the archaeological record to reconstruct historic activity?

Pre-thinking

Inference question

According to the last paragraph the author thinks that the use of archeological record has some limits and that the introduction of new evidence could completely change a study or a theory elaborated on such record


(A) With careful analysis, archaeological evidence can be used to reconstruct accurately the historic activity of a past civilization.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(B) Archaeological evidence is more useful for reconstructing the day-to-day activities of a culture than its long-term trends.
Out of scope

(C) The accuracy of the archaeological record for reconstructing historic activity is dependent on the duration of the particular civilization.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(D) The archaeological record is not an appropriate source of data for reconstructing historic activity.
Not in line with pre-thinking

(E) Historic activity can be reconstructed from archaeological evidence, but it is ultimately impossible to confirm the accuracy of the reconstruction.
Selected this one thanks to POE but too me it seems too extreme the usage of "it is ultimately impossible"

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It is a good day to be alive, cheers

In Q5, it is using extreme language which passage never states. We can infer about it from the last passage.

You can read the explanation of question #5 in the post below in the link.

https://gmatclub.com/forum/in-the-dynam ... l#p2376605

Thank you

In my view the answer for question 4 is a bit iffy:
4. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would describe the method Lowe used to construct a step-by step chronology of the actual collapse of Classic Mayan civilization as

Why is the answer B?

Where in the passage does it suggest that Lowe's method is "generally accepted". I didn't get that sense at all. The author's mentioning of a fatal flaw in the last paragraph suggests to me that cautious interpretation is required.

Explanation Credit: Kaplan LSAT

Thanks for the OE Sajjad1994
I got the fifth question wrong, mainly because I was repelled by the word "impossible". But after further analysis, it seems correct.
Below is my analysis for anyone who got this question wrong due to the word "impossible".

"However, it is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity, especially of a complex civilization
(50) such as the Mayans, and a hypothesis can be tested only against the best available data. It is quite possible
that our understanding of the collapse might be radically altered by better data."

From the above statement, what we can understand:
1) It is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity.
2) A hypothesis can be tested only against best available data, which might be replaced with better data in future.

Concentrate on the word might: It means that at any point of time, there is a chance, maybe very slim, that some better data will be available in the future.
This data "may" alter our understanding.
Even if the chances of new data showing up and altering our understanding is 0.0000000000000000001%, technically, there is some chance.

Therefore, if the above is the true, then at any point of time, it is ultimately impossible to confirm the accuracy of the reconstruction.

Hi Sajjad1994,

Thank you for posting out such a wonderful paragraph. However, I want your little confirmation on question number 2.

As per OA, the correct answer option for question number 2 is E. The paragraph in RC states 'it is that the entire edifice rests on the assumption that the available evidence paints a true picture of how the collapse proceeded. However, it is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity'.

As per my understanding the above information state that Lowe theory can be verified by archaeological records, however, the authenticity of archaeological records cannot be verified. Does the answer choice also state the same meaning or is it conveying some other meaning?

Your observation is absolutely fine, In the passage in line 25, the author mentioned the Lowe’s theory as “plausible,” but, in lines 44-52, she notes that his evidence isn’t definitive and that his theory, therefore, could be overturned by the discovery of better evidence. Hence Answer is E

Thank you

Hi Sajjad1994
In lines 47-49 "However, it is difficult to know how accurately the archaeological record reflects historic activity, especially of a complex civilization such as the Mayans, and a hypothesis can be tested only against the best available data." the author states that is is difficult to know but doesn't say its impossible. While generally I agree that it can be assumed that this could mean its almost impossible, can such an inference be made in the GMAT? I was going to choose E as the right answer but when I saw the extreme "ultimately impossible" in the answer choice I chose A instead. Since the author didn't state an extreme condition in the passage I avoided E. So now I am confused when to choose an option with an extreme word.


UPDATE: I read the explanation by bidskamikaze and have now understood the reason behind option E. Didn't read that explanation before posting my comment. Apologies. And thank you for the explanations.

if a person were to attempt the same essay in the exam Centre, What should be his ideal time for the total passage ? ( took around 8 mins with 2 answers wrong would that be considered okay or not okay?)

Up to 9 minutes for this RC are fine.

sam12rawat
To be honest ı still disagree with explanation of Q5 and think the question is fatally flawed;
Impossible literally means "not able to occur, exist, or be done". Here, in the passage it says it is difficult to construct past events with the archeological data and one day, we might have different data that may change what we know. Just because there is a very dim possibility that may change what we know doesn't necessarily mean that it is impossible.
Maybe, in 10000 years, we will have a technology so advanced that we will derive everything from archeological data. Passage suggest all its inference via existing data, but stating "impossible" literally denotes that we will never /ever have any chance to know via archeological figures what happened in the entire existence of time that has ever come and will come... All in all, if it said "extremely difficult", "near impossible" it could be accepted but "impossible" is just absolute zero