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harshpurohit3700
Joined: 24 Sep 2024
Last visit: 29 Jan 2026
Posts: 5
Location: India
Concentration: Statistics, Finance
GPA: 3.2
WE:Engineering (Manufacturing)
Posts: 5
Updated on: 20 Nov 2024, 00:39
Originally posted by harshpurohit3700 on 19 Nov 2024, 11:58.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Nov 2024, 00:39, edited 5 times in total.
Last edited by Bunuel on 20 Nov 2024, 00:39, edited 5 times in total.
Professor Rodriguez: The kingdom of Xincua experienced significant population loss in the 10th century. The best explanation for this is a drier climate that lasted about 100 years. That period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades, as attested by tree-ring and sediment data. During these decades, growing crops became harder, especially since the semiarid Xincua territory needed extensive irrigation even in less dry periods. The resulting population loss and unrest—arising from out-migration, increasing mortality due to poorer nutrition, and a lower birth rate—likely made maintenance of irrigation systems more difficult. Some small dams, for example, deteriorated significantly during the dry period.
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
35%
(medium)
Question Stats:
62% (03:22) correct
38%
(03:12)
wrong
based on 1022
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
For each of the following statements about the Table tab, select Yes if the information provided indicates that the statement is true. Otherwise, select No.
| Yes | No | |
| It provides some support for an assertion made by Rodriguez. | ||
| It provides some support for an assertion made by Ojukwu. | ||
| It provides conclusive proof that an assertion made by Rodriguez is incorrect. |
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
5%
(low)
Question Stats:
81% (01:11) correct
19%
(01:28)
wrong
based on 919
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
For each of the following statements, select Yes if the information provided indicates that it is a statement with which both Rodriguez and Ojukwu are likely to agree. Otherwise, select No.
| Yes | No | |
| The largest amount of Xincua's 10th-century population loss occurred after 940. | ||
| Parts of Xincua's irrigation systems declined during the 10th century. | ||
| The general standard of nutrition in Xincua declined during the 10th century. |
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
74% (01:15) correct
26%
(01:30)
wrong
based on 962
sessions
History
Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Based on the information provided, which one of the following statements concerning the primary cause of population decline in 10th century Xincua, if it were shown to be true, would most strengthen the support for Rodriguez's position, while undermining the support for Ojukwu's position?
| Declining government revenue made it difficult to ensure continued functioning of irrigation systems. | |
| There had been some ongoing migration out of Xincua even up to the end of the 9th century. | |
| Drastic reductions in water supply led to civil strife and mass out-migrations and impaired kings' ability to rule. | |
| Conflict among political factions increased as population declined. | |
| Political instability damaged the society's ability to deal with crises such as a decline in the water supply. |
Attachment:
File comment: Table for the Table section.
Question from the GMAT official practice exam-5. (Official Mock series)
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Question from the GMAT official practice exam-5. (Official Mock series)
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1. We are asked to check which statements are true or false.
- It provides some support for an assertion made by Rodriguez. Rodriguez states that there was a drought: "that period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades." The table shows that most of annual rainfall amounts are less than average and 4 decades had under 260. So, this statement is true.
- It provides some support for an assertion made by Ojukwu. Ojukwu states that there was a lot of instability: "the turmoil is shown by the very short reigns of kings in the 900s, especially in the period 920-959, indicating instability that toppled kings." The table shows that a lot of the reigns were way below average and that it happened especially between 920 to 959. So, this statement is true.
- It provides conclusive proof that an assertion made by Rodriguez is incorrect. The table doesn't show anything to dismiss Rodriguez and as earlier stated, it rather supports their statement. So, this statement is false.
2. The question asks to find whether the two professors would both agree on the statements.
- The largest amount of Xincua's 10th-century population loss occurred after 940. Both professors never pinpointed when in the 10th century did the population loss happen. So, this statement is a no.
- Parts of Xincua's irrigation systems declined during the 10th century. Rodriguez said: "made maintenance of irrigation systems more difficult. Some small dams, for example, deteriorated significantly during the dry period." Ojukwu said: "also, irrigation systems deteriorated; evidence from similar cultures of the time suggests that vandalism against public installations was a form of protest." So, this statement is a yes.
- The general standard of nutrition in Xincua declined during the 10th century. Rodriguez said: "increasing mortality due to poorer nutrition." Ojukwu said: "the political situation ultimately led to out-migration, poorer nutrition, and fewer births, resulting in a declining population." So, this statement is a yes.
3. We need to find a statement that supports Rodriguez but undermines Xincua. Such a statement could state that a drought is the cause behind the turmoil, and thus the drought would be the main cause behind the population loss. The only statement that would work is: "Drastic reductions in water supply led to civil strife and mass out-migrations and impaired kings' ability to rule."
- It provides some support for an assertion made by Rodriguez. Rodriguez states that there was a drought: "that period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades." The table shows that most of annual rainfall amounts are less than average and 4 decades had under 260. So, this statement is true.
- It provides some support for an assertion made by Ojukwu. Ojukwu states that there was a lot of instability: "the turmoil is shown by the very short reigns of kings in the 900s, especially in the period 920-959, indicating instability that toppled kings." The table shows that a lot of the reigns were way below average and that it happened especially between 920 to 959. So, this statement is true.
- It provides conclusive proof that an assertion made by Rodriguez is incorrect. The table doesn't show anything to dismiss Rodriguez and as earlier stated, it rather supports their statement. So, this statement is false.
2. The question asks to find whether the two professors would both agree on the statements.
- The largest amount of Xincua's 10th-century population loss occurred after 940. Both professors never pinpointed when in the 10th century did the population loss happen. So, this statement is a no.
- Parts of Xincua's irrigation systems declined during the 10th century. Rodriguez said: "made maintenance of irrigation systems more difficult. Some small dams, for example, deteriorated significantly during the dry period." Ojukwu said: "also, irrigation systems deteriorated; evidence from similar cultures of the time suggests that vandalism against public installations was a form of protest." So, this statement is a yes.
- The general standard of nutrition in Xincua declined during the 10th century. Rodriguez said: "increasing mortality due to poorer nutrition." Ojukwu said: "the political situation ultimately led to out-migration, poorer nutrition, and fewer births, resulting in a declining population." So, this statement is a yes.
3. We need to find a statement that supports Rodriguez but undermines Xincua. Such a statement could state that a drought is the cause behind the turmoil, and thus the drought would be the main cause behind the population loss. The only statement that would work is: "Drastic reductions in water supply led to civil strife and mass out-migrations and impaired kings' ability to rule."
General Discussion
Posts: 54
In question 1 third part, why is the answer YES wrong.
"It provides conclusive proof that an assertion made by Rodriguez is incorrect."
As per professor R
"That period included some less dry decades"
but decade 950-959 was not dry at all as per the table.
"It provides conclusive proof that an assertion made by Rodriguez is incorrect."
As per professor R
"That period included some less dry decades"
but decade 950-959 was not dry at all as per the table.
Posts: 54
Is my reasoning fine?
Rodriguez stated, "That period included some less dry decades." This does not mean that every less dry decade must still be "somewhat dry." A completely non-dry decade, such as 950–959, could still fall under the category of "less dry" compared to the extremely dry decades. Therefore, the existence of a decade that is not dry at all (according to the table) does not conclusively disprove Rodriguez's assertion
Rodriguez stated, "That period included some less dry decades." This does not mean that every less dry decade must still be "somewhat dry." A completely non-dry decade, such as 950–959, could still fall under the category of "less dry" compared to the extremely dry decades. Therefore, the existence of a decade that is not dry at all (according to the table) does not conclusively disprove Rodriguez's assertion
All periods had rainfall below average and as Dr. Rodriguez mentions "That period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades" we can see from the table that there were 4 times when the rainfall was <70%, hence his assertions are correct based on the table.
Blackcrow1972
muskang2000
Joined: 22 Nov 2024
Last visit: 13 Sep 2026
Posts: 41
Location: India
Schools: ISB HEC Sept '27 IIM Anderson '27
GMAT Focus 1: 605 Q85 V79 DI76 
GMAT 1: 620 Q44 V31
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Schools: ISB HEC Sept '27 IIM Anderson '27
GMAT Focus 1: 605 Q85 V79 DI76
GMAT 1: 620 Q44 V31
Posts: 41
For #1, it is useful to note that Table tab gives the following statement:
The table provides data about Xincua from 890 to 969. Note the following baseline data for the period 790–889: (1) mean duration of king's reign: 16.5 years; (2) mean annual rainfall: 380 millimeters.
The mean annual rainfall (baseline) is already 380 mm. Therefore, we can say that It provides some support for an assertion made by Rodriguez: That period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades. Earlier I was not sure what threshold to consider for defining extremely dry decades but with the baseline in mind, we can reasonably say that the decades with rainfall in 200s (200, 210, 245, 260) are clearly extremely dry decades.
The table provides data about Xincua from 890 to 969. Note the following baseline data for the period 790–889: (1) mean duration of king's reign: 16.5 years; (2) mean annual rainfall: 380 millimeters.
The mean annual rainfall (baseline) is already 380 mm. Therefore, we can say that It provides some support for an assertion made by Rodriguez: That period included some less dry decades but also at least four extremely dry decades. Earlier I was not sure what threshold to consider for defining extremely dry decades but with the baseline in mind, we can reasonably say that the decades with rainfall in 200s (200, 210, 245, 260) are clearly extremely dry decades.
GMAT Focus 1: 635 Q84 V80 DI80 
Posts: 4
For the third question, when we say that "impaired King's ability to rule", doesn't that support what Professor Ojukwu is saying?
SportEarth
Question 3:
It may sound like it supports Ojukwu, but the key is what caused what.
Choice C says the water shortage caused the political instability and impaired the kings’ ability to rule. That supports Rodriguez, who says drought was the primary cause.
Ojukwu argues the opposite: that political turmoil was the primary cause of the population decline. So C weakens his position.
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