Island Museum analyzes historical artifacts using one or more techniqu

Question

Island Museum analyzes historical artifacts using one or more techniques described below—all but one of which is performed by an outside laboratory—to obtain specific information about an object’s creation. For each type of material listed, the museum uses only the technique described:

Animal teeth or bones: The museum performs isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) in-house to determine the ratios of chemical elements present, yielding clues as to the animal’s diet and the minerals in its water supply.

Metallic ores or alloys: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is used to determine the ratios of traces of metallic isotopes present, which differ according to where the sample was obtained.

Plant matter: While they are living, plants absorb carbon-14, which decays at a predictable rate after death; thus radiocarbon dating is used to estimate a plant’s date of death.

Fired-clay objects: Thermoluminescence (TL) dating is used to provide an estimate of the time since clay was fired to create the object.Island Museum has acquired a collection of metal, fired clay, stone, bone, and wooden artifacts found on the Kaxna Islands, and presumed to be from the Kaxna Kingdom of 1250–850 BC. Researchers have mapped all the mines, quarries, and sources of clay on Kaxna and know that wooden artifacts of that time were generally created within 2 years after tree harvest. There is, however, considerable uncertainty as to whether these artifacts were actually created on Kaxna.

In analyzing these artifacts, the museum assumes that radiocarbon dating is accurate to approximately ±200 years and TL dating is accurate to approximately ±100years.For outside laboratory tests, the museum’s first-year budget for the Kaxna collection allows unlimited IRMS testing, and a total of $7,000—equal to the cost of 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests, or the cost of 40 ICP-MS tests—for all other tests. For each technique applied by an outside lab, the museum is charged a fixed price per artifact. OA: D 
Options A and C provide information about the date of an artifact’s creation, but not about the location where the artifact was made. A radiocarbon date of 1050 BC for a wooden bowl (option A) implies that the tree from which the bowl was made was harvested during the years 1250–850 BC, the time period of the Kaxna Kingdom; but the bowl need not have been produced on Kaxna. Likewise, if TL dating establishes that a fired-clay artifact was produced during that period (option C), it cannot establish the location where it was made. In contrast, option E provides information about location, but since a statue found near a quarry need not have been made at that quarry, the evidence is not very strong.

Options B and D provide information about artifact element ratios. In option B, IRMS analysis of an artifact made of bones and teeth may reveal similarities between the element ratios of the artifact and the element ratios of similar artifacts known to be created on Kaxna, but additional research would be required to determine whether those element ratios were unique to Kaxna. But, in option D, ICP-MS analysis of a metal artifact reveals element ratios known to be unique to a mine on Kaxna, offering far stronger evidence that the artifact was made on Kaxna. Thus, option D offers the strongest evidence among the options listed.

Sajjad1994 · Accepted Answer

Official Explanation

Question #1 
  Which one of the following pieces of information would, on its own, provide the strongest evidence that the given artifact was actually produced on Kaxna?

Evaluate

Options A and C provide information about the date of an artifact’s creation, but not about the location where the artifact was made. A radiocarbon date of 1050 BC for a wooden bowl (option A) implies that the tree from which the bowl was made was harvested during the years 1250–850 BC, the time period of the Kaxna Kingdom; but the bowl need not have been produced on Kaxna. Likewise, if TL dating establishes that a fired-clay artifact was produced during that period (option C), it cannot establish the location where it was made. In contrast, option E provides information about location, but since a statue found near a quarry need not have been made at that quarry, the evidence is not very strong.

Options B and D provide information about artifact element ratios. In option B, IRMS analysis of an artifact made of bones and teeth may reveal similarities between the element ratios of the artifact and the element ratios of similar artifacts known to be created on Kaxna, but additional research would be required to determine whether those element ratios were unique to Kaxna. But, in option D, ICP-MS analysis of a metal artifact reveals element ratios known to be unique to a mine on Kaxna, offering far stronger evidence that the artifact was made on Kaxna. Thus, option D offers the strongest evidence among the options listed.

The correct answer is D.

Question #2
 For each of the following combinations of Kaxna artifacts, select Yes if, based on the information provided, the cost of all pertinent techniques described can be shown to be within the museum's first-year Kaxna budget. Otherwise, select No.

RO1: Strategize

According to Techniques, fired-clay statues are analyzed using TL dating and bronze statues are analyzed using ICP-MS. According to Budget, the first-year budget of $7,000 is equal to the cost of 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests, or the cost of 40 ICP-MS tests. Budget also notes that, for each test, the museum is charged a fixed price per artifact. Therefore each ICP-MS test costs  \small \frac{\$7,000}{40} , or $175, so 10 ICP-MS tests cost $1,750. Since 4 TL tests cost no more than $7,000, the cost of 2 TL tests can be no greater than  \small \frac{\$7,000}{2} , or $3,500. Thus the total cost of 2 TL tests and 10 ICP-MS tests is no greater than $3,500 + $175, or $3,675. This is well within the first-year budget of $7,000.

The correct answer is Yes.

RO2: Strategize

According to Techniques, fired-clay statues are analyzed using TL dating and tin implements are analyzed using ICP-MS. As in RO1, each ICP-MS test costs $175 and each TL test costs no greater than  \small \frac{\$7,000}{4} , or $1,750, so the cost of 3 TL tests and 5 ICP-MS tests is no greater than 3($1,750) + 5($175), or $6,125, which is again less than $7,000.

The correct answer is Yes.

RO3: Strategize

Techniques stipulates that the fired-clay pots be analyzed by TL dating, while the wooden statues are subjected to radiocarbon dating, requiring a total of 4 TL tests and 20 radiocarbon tests. The entire first-year budget is exactly enough to cover 4 TL tests and 15 radiocarbon tests, so 5 of the required radiocarbon tests cannot be covered under that budget.

The correct answer is No.

Question #3
 For each of the following artifacts in the museum’s Kaxna collection, select Yes if, based on the museum’s assumptions, a range of dates for the object’s creation can be obtained using one of the techniques in the manner described. Otherwise, select No.

RO1: Apply

Based on the information in Techniques, the only technique the museum would use on a bronze statue is ICP-MS, which yields information on the ratios of traces of metallic isotopes present but would not provide information about the statue’s age.

The correct answer is No.

RO2: Apply

According to Techniques, TL dating can be used to estimate the time at which the clay was fired to produce the pot. According to the assumptions in Artifacts, the date so obtained is considered accurate to within ±100 years, so TL dating produces a 200-year range of dates for the creation of the pot.

The correct answer is Yes.

RO3: Apply

Since wood is a form of plant matter, radiocarbon dating (Techniques) can be used to estimate the date of death of the tree from which the wooden statue was made. The assumption that radiocarbon dating is accurate to within ±200 years (Artifacts) produces a 400‑year range of dates for the death of the tree. The assumption that the statue was almost certainly created within 2 years of the tree’s death (Artifacts) yields a 400‑year range of dates for the creation of the wooden statue.

The correct answer is Yes.

Question #4
 For each of the following results of tests performed on Kaxna artifacts, select Yes if, based on the museum’s assumptions, the result confirms that the artifact was created during the time of the Kaxna Kingdom. Otherwise, select No. Yes No

RO1: Apply

The description of the museum’s practices (described in Techniques and Artifacts) does not specify that IRMS is used as a means of dating. Furthermore, the source material does not establish a connection between specific element ratios and specific time periods, so the results do not decisively link the necklace to the time of the Kaxna Kingdom.

The correct answer is No.

RO2: Apply

Techniques clearly indicates that the museum uses TL dating for fired-clay objects. Based on the museum’s accuracy assumptions (Artifacts), a TL date of 1050 BC dates the firing of the clay to the years 1150–950 BC, which is well within the period of the Kaxna Kingdom: 1250–850 BC, specified in Artifacts.

The correct answer is Yes.

RO3: Apply

According to the description of ICP-MS in Techniques, trace metal ratios in copper artifacts are determined by the location where the sample was obtained. But the information provided does not support the conclusion that particular trace metal ratios are characteristic of a particular time (e.g., the period of the Kaxna Kingdom). Moreover, the description of the museum’s practices (described in Techniques and Artifacts) does not include the use of ICP-MS as a means of dating.

The correct answer is No.

Question #5
 For each of the following combinations of Kaxna artifacts, select Yes if, based on the information provided, the cost of all pertinent techniques described can be shown to be within the museum’s first- year Kaxna budget. Otherwise, select No.

RO1: Strategize

According to Techniques, the 2 bone implements should be analyzed using IRMS testing, while the 5 fired-clay cups require TL dating . Since the first-year budget allows for unlimited IRMS testing, TL dating is the potentially limiting expense. The budget of $7,000 is enough to cover 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests (Budget). While the museum can clearly cover the cost of 4 TL tests, it is impossible to determine whether they can cover the cost of a fifth test without knowing something about the cost of radiocarbon dating.

The correct answer is No.

RO2: Strategize

Using Techniques once again, analysis of 7 wooden statues requires 7 radiocarbon tests and analysis of 20 metal implements requires 20 ICP-MS tests. Each test has a fixed charge per artifact tested (Budget). Let T, R, and C denote the per-test cost, in dollars, of TL testing, radiocarbon testing, and ICP-MS testing, respectively. Using the pricing scheme given in Budget, 15R + 4T = 7,000. Since 7R must be strictly less than half that amount, it follows that 7R < 3,500. Likewise, since 40C = 7,000 and 20C =  \small \frac{1}{2}(40C) , it follows that 20C is exactly equal to 3,500. Thus, 7R + 20C is strictly less than 2(3,500), or 7,000. In other words, the total cost, in dollars, of 7 radiocarbon tests and 20 ICP-MS tests is strictly less than $7,000 and hence within the first-year budget for the Kaxna collection.

The correct answer is Yes.

RO3: Strategize

Based on Techniques, complete analysis of the 15 statues requires 15 IRMS tests (for bone) and 15 radiocarbon tests (for wood). Since the first-year budget allows for unlimited IRMS testing and will cover the cost of 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests (Budget), the budget can certainly cover the cost of the 15 radiocarbon tests alone.

The correct answer is Yes.

Question #6
 Among the Kaxna artifacts is a wooden box containing both a small fired-clay bead and some river sediment containing clay and plant matter. Based on the museum’s assumptions, which one of the following details about the bead can be determined by applying one of the tests in the manner described?

Techniques indicates that the only test the museum will apply directly to the fired-clay bead is TL dating, which determines a range of dates during which the clay was fired (as detailed in Artifacts). Hence it is possible for the museum to determine a range of dates for the bead’s manufacture (option A). There is no clear relationship between the sediment and plant matter in the box and the location of the bead’s manufacture (options B and C), the time of the bead’s placement in the box (option D), or the source of clay for the bead (option E).

The correct answer is A.

maikikiuu · Answer

I have been confused by the  2nd option of question 2  and  2nd option of question 5 . Now I finally figured and thought it could be helpful to share:

So the total budget is 7,000, for 4TL+15radio, or 40 ICP. We know that the unit price of ICP = 175 (7,000/40) but we do not know the exact unit price of TL or radio. However, when solving question 2: we could assume that the unit cost of TL maximal and cost of radio can be ignored, so that we have the maximal unit cost of TL = 7,000/4 = 1,750. 3TL = 1,750*3 = 5,250. So we still have $1,750 left after 3 TL (with maximal cost), and surely this can cover 5 ICP (175*5=875).

Same to question 5, we assume radio has maximal cost and the cost of TL can be ignored. So we have ratio cost = 7000 / 15 = 467. So we will spend 467*7 = 3,267 on testing the wooden statues. 3,733 is left for 20 ICP, enough (20*175 = 3,500 < 3,733)

Apt0810 · Answer

1) Option D is right,since ICP M's detects the metallic isotopes present in the artifact,and this particular detection would depend on the place of extraction/creation so this can give us the evidence that the artifact was created in Kaxna
2)Yes, since it can be done per the budget
Yes, since it can be done per the budget
No,since it cannot be done per the budget (since the bracket is only upto 15 radiocarbon dating)
3)No, since for ICPMS timeline is not given
Yes, since for Radiocarbon timeframe is given
Yes,since for TL timeframe is given
4)No,since for IRMS we don't have any info about timeframe
Yes,since for TL timeframe is known
No,since for ICPMS place can be known,but not the time
5)No, since it cannot be done per the budget
Yes, since it can be done per the budget
Yes,since it can be done per the budget 
6) A,Range of dates for the manufacture can be known since both Radiocarbon and TL provide information about the timeframe of creation

Posted from my mobile device

mimishyu · Answer

In Q3, why the date for “Bronze statue of a deer”’s creation cannot be obtained, doesn’t that we can use ICP-MS to trace its date???

also for Q2&Q5, we can infer from the statement

For outside laboratory tests, the museum’s first-year budget for the Kaxna collection allows unlimited IRMS testing, and a total of $7,000—equal to the cost of 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests, or the cost of 40 ICP-MS tests—for all other tests. For each technique applied by an outside lab, the museum is charged a fixed price per artifact.

to present it in formula
TL ≦4 + radiocarbon ≦15
 ICP-MS≦40

But after check the correct answer, I’m still really confused by what this statement says…????

Q2
TL ≦4 + radiocarbon ≦15
 (4 fire-clay pots+20 wooden statues)

TL ≦4 + ICP-MS≦40
 (2 fire-clay pots+10 bronze statues)
 (3 fire-clay pots+5 tin implements)

Q5

radiocarbon ≦15+ ICP-MS≦40
 (7 wooden statues and 20 metal implements)

So to sum up all these inequations, which one is correct???

jabhatta2 · Answer

Hi  AndrewN  For the 6th question

Given the question stem talks about   "kaxna artifacts"   -- can i then assume 
(1) the clay used to make the small fired-clay beads was local clay (clay found at kaxna) 
(2) the artifacts being discussed (small fired clay beads specifically) were produced locally on the kaxna islands and not perhaps imported from some where else ?

I thought both the above were  true  given the word "kaxna artifacts" but maybe I am wrong

AndrewN  - that is why i gravitated towards E for the 6th question.

I assumed the clay used for the  small fired-clay bead  was perhaps local clay (clay found at Kaxna)

This coupled with what is mentioned under the  artifacts tab

If
(a) Researchers have mapped all the  sources of clay on Kaxna 
(b) Kaxna local clay was used to make the  small fired-clay bead

We should be able to get to the source of the clay used to make the  small fired-clay bead

AndrewN · Answer

Hello,  jabhatta2 . I think the problem with your interpretation stems from losing sight of the question itself, specifically the latter part:

Thus, we should be looking in the Techniques tab for information on what the different assays can reveal. Since the question stem refers to  a small fired-clay bead , we need only look at the information on this type of object:

No answer can be defended other than (A), although (D) presents a nice little trap by also referring to time and mentioning the box in which the bead was found.

When it comes to IR, read the information carefully and stick to exactly what it says. Most questions can be navigated with ease the less you get into interpreting that information.

- Andrew

jabhatta2 · Answer

Thank you  AndrewN  - You are right. I lose sight of the blue completely. Given the question is asking specifically

The question is -- what can i infer FROM THE TESTS specifically

I did lose sight of the blue part (the GMAT cleverly puts it RIGHT at the end)

From the 4 tests specifically (IRMS / ICP-MS / Radio carbon dating / TL testing) --> i dont believe you can figure out the source of the clay.

Just of curiousity  AndrewN  -- if the question stem WAS EVEN HARDER and instead -- can you make the following 'inferences'

In Question 6, Do you think E is a inference one can make in general (if you combined all the information from ALL 3 Tabs) ?

I  dont  think in that case too, E as an inference can be made because 
1) We dont know if the clay used for the  small fired-clay bead  was local clay (clay from the kaxna island specifically)

Perhaps the clay used for making the  small fired-clay bead  was imported from another country.

This is important because per the 2nd tab -- Researches have mapped  all the mines, quarries, and sources of clay on Kaxna

But if the clay itself was NOT FROM Kaxna, we cant figure out the source of clay.

AndrewN · Answer

Precisely. Now you have it. See if you can stick to this direct (less interpretive) method on subsequent IR questions. My guess is that your accuracy will increase and your timing will decrease.

Good luck.

- Andrew

Tanchat · Answer

Q6
Question #6
Among the Kaxna artifacts is a wooden box containing both a small fired-clay bead and some river sediment containing clay and plant matter. Based on the museum’s assumptions, which one of the following details about the bead can be determined by applying one of the tests in the manner described?

A. A range of dates for its manufacture
B. The Kaxna island on which it was made
C. Vegetation patterns near the workshop where it was made
D. A range of dates for its placement in the box
E. The source of clay used to make the bead

The Passage provides : Researchers have mapped all the mines, quarries, and sources of clay on Kaxna
Why (E) is wrong?

av722 · Answer

Q1

A: we're able to estimate death date. even if it died during kaxna kingdom period, we have no knowledge of whether it was produced ON kaxna.
B: ratios of chemical elements, but no clue whether elements are specific to Kaxna
C: like A. we know it was fired during kaxna kingdom period, but don't know if it was produced ON kaxna.
 D: this sounds  most  correct. if ratios are unique to a mine on kaxna, and metal isotopes 'differ according to where the sample was obtained,'  then its likely this item was produced on Kaxna. 
E: just because it was found near there doesn't mean it was  made  there.

Q2

Just by estimating and using these equations and shorthand. The goal is to not exceed 7000. 
clay = TL tests (T)
metal = ICPMS (I)
wood = radiocarbon (R)
animal/bones (unlimited)

7000 = 4T + 15R
7000 = 40I

This question is really about estimating and ratios.
1) if we halve the number of clay (T) and only use 10 brone statues (I), we're probably within budget (we won't exceed 7000). 
2) we're increasing the number of clay by 1 from the previous question (T), but we're decreasing the number of metal by half (10 to 5). Estimating we're within budget. 
3) We already have the cost of 4 clay and 20 statues, guessing that'll exceed the budget.

Q3

1) No-- we only get ratios of traces of metallic isotopes, nothing about dates
2) Yes-- it says 'dating is used to provide an estimate of the time since clay was fired to create the object'
3) Yes (this is tricky). While we only get date of death from carbon dating, under 'Artifacts' we see that 'wooden artifacts of that time were generally created within 2 years after tree harvest'. We can assume that the tree will die once its harvested, so from this info we'll know when that the wooden artifacts would be created within 2 years after the dating estimates time of death.

Q4

1) No-- IRMS only allows us to determine the ratios of chemical elements present.
2) Yes-- If we know it was fired 1050 BC +- 100 years, it could have been fired from 1150BC-950BC, well within the range of Kaxna.
3) No-- Even if has the same metals as a Kaxna mine, it could've been created before or after Kaxna.

Q5

1) No. Using our equation, where 7000 = 4T (R = 0 in this scenario) and T = 1750). 5T = (1750)(5), which is > 7000. 
2) Yes.
7000 = 15R -> R ~ 46
20I = 3500 (just divided OG equation by 2). 
total is (46)(15) + 3500 which is < 7000
3. Yes. 15 radiocarbon is already factored into the first equation  even with  the clay, so we know the wooden part is okay. Bone is unlimited.

Q6
We are only asked about what we can determine about the  bead , nothing else. 
We can perform TL dating on clay objects to figure out when the object was fired, so  A  is correct.

JOSH1967 · Answer

AndrewN   chetan2u   KarishmaB   Sajjad1994   carcass

Hi experts, I need your help in evaluation option A in question 5, which reads "2 bone implements and 5S fired-clay cups decorated with gold".

my question is that the question reads " can  be shown to be within the museum’s first year budget". So by adjusting for either of the variables, I can try and prove that option A in question 5 "can" be within the budget. Please refer the below calculations and guide me accordingly.

We know from the question that there's no charge for evaluating bone implements, so lets ignore them for time being. 
 
"total of $7,000—equal to the cost of 4 TL tests plus 15 radiocarbon tests, or the cost of 40 ICP-MS tests—for all other tests"

1) for assessing gold, I can use ICP-MS, which costs 7000/40, .i.e $ 175/ test. Remaining budget - 7000 - (5*175) =>$ 6,125
2) for assessing the clay, I have to use TL test. But I have the flexibility of assuming the price of the TL test, as long as the condition :4TL + 15 Radio carbon = 7,000) is honored

therefore if I assume, the cost of 15 radio carbon tests to equal 6500, the cost of 4 TL tests is $500, from which I can extrapolate that costs of 5 TL tests shall be 625, way lower than my remaining budget of 6,125.

Pls help,
thanks in advance

carcass · Answer

There answer is no to the first one and this is why.

The BEST way to approach this question is NOT to perform any complicated calculation but just label the exams and then make a simple sum

Looking at the answer choices we do have

1) bone implements this require IRMS

2) fired-clay we need TL

3) wooden statues We need carbon 14

4) metal implements we need ICP

Now looking at the budget tab

A says : 2 bone implements and 5S fired-clay cups decorated with gold therefore we NEED just IRMS (two) and 5TL

the first year we have unlimited IRMS so the first 2 are covered without any problem AND  4 TL tests  BUT we need 5 (five) of them so we do not have the money to cover 1 (one) TL test

The answer to A is NO

JOSH1967 · Answer

carcass

Thanks for your response. While I understand your argument, I still can't wrap my head around the question stem, which reads  " can  be shown to be within the museum’s first year budget". "Can" is different from "Must" in the sense that all cases must be proved in the latter vs just one in the former. The numbers I used prove that such a case is possible, if not mandatory all the time. Hence the confusion with OA.

Kindly guide as appropriate. 
 Thanks again

carcass · Answer

The sentence

the cost of all pertinent techniques described can be shown to be within the museum’s first- year Kaxna budget.

means : you can refer to the description for the costs first year in the budget tab

The difference between can and must you are overthinking

	A radiocarbon date of 1050 BC for a wooden bowl
	IRMS analysis of a necklace made from animal bones and teeth
	A TL date for a fired-clay brick that places it definitively in the period of the Kaxna Kingdom
	ICP-MS analysis of a metal tool that reveals element ratios unique to a mine on Kaxna
	Determination that a stone statue was found near a quarry known to produce stone statues during the Kaxna Kingdom

Yes	No
		2 fired-clay statues and 10 bronze statues
		3 fired-clay statues and 5 tin implements
		4 fired-clay pots and 20 wooden statues

Yes	No
		Bone necklace shown by IRMS to have element ratios characteristic of artifacts known to be from the Kaxna Kingdom
		Fired-clay jug dated to 1050 BC by TL dating
		Copper box shown by ICP-MS to have the same ratio of trace metals found in the copper mines of Kaxna

Yes	No	Values
	✔	Bronze statue of a deer
✔		Fired-clay pot
✔		Wooden statue of a warrior

Yes	No	Values
		Bone necklace shown by IRMS to have element ratios characteristic of artifacts known to be from the Kaxna Kingdom
		Fired-clay jug dated to 1050 BC by TL dating
		Copper box shown by ICP-MS to have the same ratio of trace metals found in the copper mines of Kaxna

Island Museum analyzes historical artifacts using one or more techniqu

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Yes	No
		2 bone implements and 5S fired-clay cups decorated with gold
		7 wooden statues and 20 metal implements
		15 wooden statues decorated with bone

	A range of dates for its manufacture
	The Kaxna island on which it was made
	Vegetation patterns near the workshop where it was made
	A range of dates for its placement in the box
	The source of clay used to make the bead

GMAT Multi-Source Reasoning (MSR) Questions

Island Museum analyzes historical artifacts using one or more techniqu

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

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Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards