In the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to

Question

In the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to decline, and were soon abandoned. To explain this phenomenon, known as the Classic Maya Collapse, scholars have relied upon the drought theory. According to this hypothesis, rapid climate change, caused by mega-droughts--droughts brought about by a combination of regular seasonal droughts and thin, infertile, tropical soil lacking forest cover--devastated the Mayan cities. During the time of the Mayan decline, Northern Europe experienced unusually cold temperatures. Climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica. Additionally, the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization.

Not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory, however. For example, if water sources near Mayan settlements dried up, a number of city-states simply would have relocated to areas near other water sources, since it is unlikely that all surrounding water supplies would have evaporated. The abundance of parasite-spread infectious diseases in rainforest areas, however, suggests that the collapse was likely accompanied by an epidemic disease, such as an acute diarrheal illness that rapidly depopulated the Mayan cities, making relocation futile.

Not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory, however. For example, if water sources near Mayan settlements dried up, a number of city-states simply would have relocated to areas near other water sources, since it is unlikely that all surrounding water supplies would have evaporated. The abundance of parasite-spread infectious diseases in rainforest areas, however, suggests that the collapse was likely accompanied by an epidemic disease, such as an acute diarrheal illness that rapidly depopulated the Mayan cities, making relocation futile.    1 
 1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts
B. potential factor explained by the drought theory
C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization
D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization
E. potential factor with environmental causes

2 
 2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.
B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.
C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.
D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.
E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.

3 
 3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

A. credible, but lacking proof
B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data
C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient
D. conflicting with recent findings
E. challenging to explain

zyt · Answer

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts
incorrect: the infertile soil brought about mega-drought not mega-drought brought about infertile soil

B. potential factor explained by the drought theory
incorrect: presence of infertile soil explains drought theory, drought theory explains Mayan collapse

C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization
incorrect: infertile soil cannot be a cultural aspect

D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization
incorrect: the choice does not make sense, soil can't "not be an aspect of civilization"

E. potential factor with environmental causes
CORRECT: this is clearly stated in the last part of first paragraph

2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.
CORRECT: this provides an alternate explanation to Mayan Collapse

B . The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.
incorrect: this is contradictory to the passage, out of scope

C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.
incorrect: irrelevant to the passage

D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.
incorrect: this is contradictory to the passage, out of scope

E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.
incorrect: This actually is weakly supportive to Classic Maya Collapse of eight century

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

A. credible, but lacking proof
Incorrect: proof by tree rings and climatic modeling which are credible are described

B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data
Incorrect: the data is reliable, no indication to show unreliability

C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient
CORRECT: the author supports the classic Maya collapse reasoning but in the second paragraph says that some facets are not explained

D. conflicting with recent findings
Incorrect: recent findings are supportive of Classic Mayan collapse( the diarrheal diseases caused relocation difficult)

E. challenging to explain
Incorrect: it is not challenging to explain as most aspects of it are explained.

sanjitscorps18 · Answer

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a
D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization
--> Infertile soil is a potential ecological factor while civil war and trade decline are cultural aspects of civilization

2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?
A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.
--> If the Mayans caused soil exhaustion themselves then the drought theory may not be the only cause for infertile soil or lack of tree cover

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as
E. challenging to explain
--> The author finds alternate evidence that makes the drought theory challenging to explain

pintukr · Answer

Paragraph 1 : Drought theory as the reason for collapse of Mayan civilisation. Climatic chages --> disruption of cultural aspects of the civilisation.
Paragraph 2 : Besides the drought theory, certain other factors, notably the epidemic may also have contributed to the collapse of Mayan civilisation.
Overall : Drought theory is not the comprehensive reson attributed to Mayan collapse; other factors,notably the epidemic should also have contributed to it.

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

The difference lies in environmental and non-environmental causes. Infertile soil is taken as environmental cause, while the civil war and trade decline have been taken as non-environmental causes 
A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts
 In fact, both the infertile soil and civil war & trade decline is attributed to environmental cause..difference not highlighted in this prompt

B. potential factor explained by the drought theory
 both the infertile soil and civil war & trade decline is attributed to environmental cause..difference not highlighted in this prompt

C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization
 'Infertile soil' is NOT a cultural aspect of civilization

D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization
 disruption of cultural aspects is a consequence..cultural aspect/non-cultural aspect not discussed as factors in the passage

E. potential factor with environmental causes
 clearly highlighted in the last two lines of the 1st paragraph..CORRECT answer

2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.
 Not related to drought theory

B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.
 'some' cities may not lend credence to collapse of Mayan civilisation

C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.
 What happened with Toltec civilisation can't be extrapolated to Mayan civilisation due to different locations

D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.
 Increase commerce is 'opposite' to trade decline, a consequence of drought theory, as talked about in the passage...CORRECT answer

E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.
 Eighth century, and NOT the seventh century is associated with the colapse of mayan civilisation

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

A. credible, but lacking proof
 certain proof wrt cultural aspects have been depicted while explaining drought theory in the 1st paragraph

B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data
 reliability of data not discussed in the passage

C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient
 Drought theory needs to be supplemented by other factors viz.epidemic etc in relation to the collapse of Mayan civilisation..CORRECT answer

D. conflicting with recent findings
 No such conflict finds a mention in the passage

E. challenging to explain
 again, no specific aspects have been highlighted in the passage which challenge the explanation given by drought theory

av1901 · Answer

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts

No, on the contrary, the drought was a mega-drought because of a combination of the normal drought and infertile soil

B. potential factor explained by the drought theory

Although it was a potential factor explained by the drought theory, this does not tell us how it differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline

C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization

No, infertile soil is an ecological factor that is NOT a part of the cultural aspect of civilization

D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization

CORRECT. The passage states that the drought theory explains the probable presence of not only ecological causes, but also non-environmental causes (civil war and trade decline) because climatic changes cause disruption to cultural aspects of civilization. This implies that civil war and trade decline, the non-environmental causes, were the cultural aspect of civilization

E. potential factor with environmental causes

Although it is, but does not state as to how it differs from the civil war and trade decline

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2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.

No, its not stated or implied anywhere in the passage that Mayanks were reckless and careless which resulted in soil exhaustion

B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.

Again, not stated or implied anywhere in the passage

C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.

Now, although this point takes us to a different route that people trading with Mayank civilization declined due to illness rather than drought but we are not concerned with decline of others, only of Mayans and also there is no mention of a time period when this took place

D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.

CORRECT. The drought theory states that not only ecological causes like infertile soil, but also non-environmental causes like civil war and TRADE DECLINE, results in Mayans declining. But this point says that during that same period the Mayans were trading peacefully and infact even increased their trade, thus negating the explanation provided via the drought theory

E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.

Seventh century is irrelevant to the discussion as we are concerned with Mayans declining which happened in the eight century

==============================================================================

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

A. credible, but lacking proof

No, the drought theory has substantial amount of proof to be validated such as climatic modeling, tree ring data etc

B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data

Again, as per option A, the data is not unreliable as it is scientifically backed data in the form of climatic modeling and tree ring data

C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient

CORRECT. The theory is sound, with ample proof and logical reasoning, but as mentioned in the second paragraph, Mayans could have gone to places near the water source. This highlights that the drought theory might be insufficient to explain with 100% conviction, thus insufficient

D. conflicting with recent findings

There are no recent findings mentioned in the passage with which the theory conflicts

E. challenging to explain

The theory is and has been easily explained in the passage, nothing challenging about it

Ritax · Answer

Not so sure about the last question. Main Idea : The passage talks about reasons behind the classic Maya collapse. The scholars based the reasons on drought theory. However, the author think there are more than 1 reason , which is epidemic disease when the Maya relocated to areas near water.

Deleted Q1 Q2 as incorrect answer Q3 The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as I'm not so sure about this one, might not be able to provide good explanation.

Prethink : The author mood does not seems to strongly decline the scholars's drought theory, he seems more like mildly critize,trying to point out the lack in reasons provided. A. credible, but lacking proof X in the passage does not talk about any proof B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data X the author did not criticize data that scholar's used C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient ✓ Choose this because the author seems to mildly disagree D. conflicting with recent findings X the author did not comparing with recent findings E. challenging to explain X no such information or keyword that point out the author trying to explain something

vrsthe1 · Answer

P1  --> Introduce drought theory and detail how it is used to explain the collapse of Maya.
 P2  -->  Not all facets  (contradiction - maybe drought theory cannot explain everything).
yes it cannot. counter example as a possible alternative is explained.
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 Main point  --> Introduce a hypothesis and use to explain something. mention its limitations/shortcomings.
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 Q1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts 
 Not Correct  --> this is opposite of part of the explanation. mega-droughts are brought about by infertile soil and other things.

B. potential factor explained by the drought theory 
 Not Correct  --> partly true, as this does not explain w.r.t civil war and trade decline.

C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization 
 Not Correct  --> ecological/ environmental and non-environmental are 2 different aspects. and not related.

D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization 
 Not Correct  --> ecological/ environmental and non-environmental are 2 different aspects. and not related.

E. potential factor with environmental causes 
 Correct  --> Yes as mentioned in the last sentence infertile soil is an environmental cause, where as civil war and other is non-environmental.
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 Q2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?  
  Pre-thinking  --> Think about this question as a weaken question in CR. we need to find something that can weaken the conclusion that drought theory explains the classic Maya Collapse. we have a hint in P2, could be a disease. what if we have some other proof showing epidemics/disease is the cause of such civilization collapse elsewhere. 
 
 A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion. 
 Not Correct  --> irrelevant and out of scope of passage, based on what is given in the passage this statement cannot weaken the conclusion(the statement in question).

B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century. 
 Not Correct  --> This is opposite if the population increase then the civilization should prosper or re-settle somewhere else, where soil is fertile.

C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought. 
 Correct  --> This is exactly inline with our pre-thinking and also bolsters the 2nd paragraphs doubts.

D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan. 
 Not Correct  --> Again, this is opposite to what drought theory says, if the times are peaceful people can relocate. Doesn't weaken the conclusion.

E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible. 
 Not Correct  --> again this is in a different time-line, hence irrelevant.
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 Q3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as  
  Pre-thinking  --> from main point --> hypothesis with limitations.

A. credible, but lacking proof 
 Not Correct  --> Nothing about credibility can be inferred or mentioned. scholars used this as a hypothesis with proper logic.

B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data 
 Not Correct  --> data is mentioned in passage, hence has to be taken as true and reliable.

C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient 
 Correct  --> yes this is in line with pre-thinking. reasoning - P1 explains the reasons. P2 points out limitations.

D. conflicting with recent findings 
 Not Correct  --> There are no recent findings mentioned. either conflicting or not.

E. challenging to explain 
 Not Correct  --> well explained in the passage, hence the statement is wrong.

happypuppy · Answer

1. E
2. C
3. C

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts
- wrong - Draught might have brought intertility.
B. potential factor explained by the drought theory
- wrong - "caused by mega-droughts--droughts brought about by a combination of regular seasonal droughts and thin, infertile, tropical soil lacking forest cover--" and civil war is also part of draught. "the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization."
C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization
- wrong - "cultural aspect" is wrong as it is the civil-war that disrupt cultural aspect" Additionally, the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization"
D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization
- wrong - "is not a cultural aspect of civilization" is wrong, it did influce culture.
 E. potential factor with environmental causes
- Correct - Can be inferred from "the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, " 
 
Question 2
2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.
- wrong - But what slash-and-burn does, how is it related to draught? Not given.
B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.
- wrong - "some cities" again, just like in CR is wrong and doesn't give good sound reason.
 C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.
- Correct - This is a potential reason and "declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought." gives the other reason and expected. 
D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.
- wrong - Might be peaceful but doesnt rule out draught which can have longer impacts.
E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.
- wrong - "seventh century" is before 8th so can't use that data.

Question 3
3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

A. credible, but lacking proof
- wrong - There are some proofs for researchers to bank on this idea "During the time of the Mayan decline, Northern Europe experienced unusually cold temperatures. Climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica. "
B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data
- wrong - Unstated thing is "unreliable data", which is no where in passage.
 C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient
- Correct - Sound reasoning as "Additionally, the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil..." and insufficient as "Not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory, however." 
D. conflicting with recent findings 
- wrong - Recent findings are not present
E. challenging to explain
- wrong - Wrong because it is explainable by "During the time of the Mayan decline, Northern Europe experienced unusually cold temperatures. Climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica. "

Snehaaaaa · Answer

Question 1
1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a
A. potential factor brought about by mega-droughts- Mega-drought is brought about by infertile soil
B. potential factor explained by the drought theory- This is not a difference as both can be explained using drought theory
C. potential ecological factor that is a cultural aspect of civilization- Infertile soil is not a cultural aspect
D. potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization- This cannot be inferred as the difference
 E. potential factor with environmental causes- This is the correct answer

Question 2
2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?
A. The Mayans were dependent on a slash-and-burn system of agriculture that caused soil exhaustion.- This creates no doubt. Infact it supports the theory
B. The populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century.- This too creates no doubt as increase in the beginning of eighth century does not mean that the cities cannot be declined later by droughts
 C. Recent studies show that the ancient Toltec civilization, which frequently traded with the Mayan civilization, declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought.- This is the correct answer 
D. The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce between their main city of Tikal and the Mexican city of Teotihuacan.- This does not weaken the theory
E. Recently unearthed historical documents indicate that during the seventh century, seasonal droughts were unusually mild, Mayan trade flourished, and civil unrest was negligible.- This is irrelevant

Question 3
3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as
A. credible, but lacking proof- The author does not says that the theory was lacking proof
B. plausible, but derived from unreliable data- The author does not says that the data is unreliable or the reasoning is flawed
 C. based on sound reasoning, but insufficient- This is the correct answer 
D. conflicting with recent findings- Out of scope
E. challenging to explain- out of scope

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Official Explanation

1. The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is a

Difficulty Level:   700

Explanation

This is an inference question, as indicated by the phrase the passage suggests in the question stem. The task of the question is indicated by the phrase the passage suggests. The subject of the question is how the role of infertile soil in the Mayan collapse differs from the roles of civil war and trade decline. In order to answer the question, determine what the passage states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice that cannot be supported by the text. The author states the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline. Therefore, infertile soil is a potential ecological cause and civil war and trade decline are potential non-environmental causes.

Choice A: No.  The recycled language mega-droughts makes this choice seem appealing. However, this choice is a reversal. The author states in the first paragraph that mega-droughts--droughts brought about by a combination of regular seasonal droughts and thin, infertile, tropical soil lacking forest cover. Therefore, the droughts were partially caused by infertile soil, not that infertile soil was brought about by mega-droughts as the answer choice suggests.

Choice B: No.  The recycled language drought theory may make this choice seem appealing. However, this choice is a reversal. The author states the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline. Therefore, civil war and trade decline and infertile soil do not differ in this regard.

Choice C: No.  The recycled language ecological and cultural aspect of civilization may make this choice seem tempting. However this choice is a reversal. Although infertile soil is an ecological cause, the author states drought theory posits that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization. This disruption refers to civil war and trade decline, not to infertile soil.

Choice D:  Correct.   The author refers to potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil as well as potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline or cultural aspects of civilization. Therefore, infertile soil is a potential ecological cause, and differs from civil war and trade decline, which are potential non-environmental causes that are cultural aspects of civilization.

Choice E: No.  The recycled language environmental causes may make this choice seem appealing. However, this choice is a reversal. The author refers to infertile soil as a potential ecological cause of the Mayan Collapse, rather than as a factor with environmental causes. Furthermore, since climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization, both civil war and trade decline and infertile soil may stem from environmental causes.

The correct answer is choice D.

2. Which of the following, if true, would cast the most doubt upon the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse?

Difficulty Level:   700+

Explanation

This is a weaken question, as indicated by the phrase would cast the most doubt in the question stem. The task of the question is indicated by the phrase would cast the most doubt. The subject of the question is the explanation provided by the drought theory regarding the cause of the Classic Maya Collapse. In order to answer the question, determine what the passage states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice that does not weaken the explanation. The author states that rapid climate change, caused by mega-droughts--droughts brought about by a combination of regular seasonal droughts and thin, infertile, tropical soil lacking forest cover--devastated the Mayan cities. Additionally, the author indicates that the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization.

Choice A: No.  The familiar language of soil exhaustion makes this choice appealing. However, this choice is a reversal. The passage states that the droughts were brought about by a combination of regular seasonal droughts and thin, infertile, tropical soil lacking forest cover. If the Mayans caused the soil exhaustion, that might have contributed to a mega-drought. Therefore, this would strengthen the explanation provided by the drought theory.

Choice B: No.  The recycled language in the eighth century and cities in the southern Mayan lowlands makes this choice seem tempting. However, this choice is an emotional appeal. The author states in the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to decline, and were soon abandoned. The fact that the populations of some cities in the southern Maya lowlands increased at the beginning of the eighth century would not affect what happened later in the century, and therefore would not weaken the drought theory.

Choice C: No.  The familiar language declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought makes this choice appealing. However, there is no such comparison of the Mayan civilization to the Toltec civilization in the passage. Therefore, studies that show that the Toltec civilization declined due to diarrheal illness, rather than drought does not weaken the drought theory.

Choice D:  Correct.   The author states the drought theory explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization. Therefore, a comparatively peaceful time for the Mayans, during which they increased commerce as the answer choice suggests would weaken the drought theory. The increased commerce demonstrates that either the drought did not cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of the civilization or that the Mayans were not experiencing drought.

Choice E: No.  The recycled language droughts and trade make this choice seem tempting. However, this choice is an emotional appeal. The passage states in the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to decline, and were soon abandoned. The fact that the seventh century was unusually mild and civil unrest was negligible does not change the events of the eighth century, which is the focus of the drought theory.

The correct answer is choice D.

3. The author of the passage would be most likely to describe the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century as

Difficulty Level:   600

Explanation

This is an inference question, as indicated by the phrase the author...would be most likely to describe. The task of the question is indicated by the phrase, the author...would be most likely to describe. The subject of the question is the explanation given by the drought theory for the Classic Maya Collapse in the eighth century. In order to answer the question, determine what the author states about the subject and evaluate the answer choices, eliminating any choice that cannot be supported by the text. The author states that to explain…the Classic Maya Collapse, scholars have relied upon the drought theory. The author confirms this theory by stating that climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica, and that the drought theory explains the probable presence…of potential non-environmental causes. However, the author also states that not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory. So, the author seems to believe that the theory has some evidence to support it but it does not explain everything that it should.

Choice A: No.  The word credible is tempting, but the phrase lacking proof is extreme language. The author states that climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica. So there is some proof to support the drought theory.

Choice B: No.  The word plausible is appealing but the phrase derived from unreliable data is extreme language and makes a claim stronger than the passage suggests. The author states that climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, demonstrates that such temperature lows are accompanied by droughts in Mesoamerica. Therefore, the author believes that there is some evidence to support the drought theory, which suggests that the author thinks that the theory is plausible. However, the potential problem that the author points out regarding the theory is that not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory. The author suggests that the theory does not explain all parts of the collapse and is therefore incomplete. There is no indication that the theory is based on unreliable data.

Choice C:  Correct.   This choice is supported by the passage. The author cites climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, each of which supports sound reasoning. Therefore, the author believes that there is some evidence to support the drought theory, which suggests that the thinks that the theory is based on sound reasoning. The author also states that not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the drought theory, thereby indicating that the theory is insufficient to fully explain the collapse.

Choice D: No.  The familiar language of conflicting makes this choice appealing. However, this answer is a memory trap as well as a reversal. Arguably the Climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data, could be considered recent findings. If so, these findings actually support the drought theory and do not conflict with it.
 
 Choice E: No.  The recycled language explain might make this choice tempting. However, this choice is a memory trap. The author states to explain…Classic Maya Collapse, scholars have relied upon the drought theory. The author goes on to say that not all facets…can be explained by the drought theory, but does not imply that the theory itself is challenging to explain.

The correct answer is choice C.

egmat · Answer

Here is a walkthrough of the passage and all three questions.

Passage Overview:  The passage discusses the  Classic Maya Collapse  of the eighth century. Paragraph  1  presents the  drought theory , which explains how mega-droughts caused ecological devastation and cultural disruption (civil war, trade decline). Paragraph  2  critiques the theory as incomplete—it cannot explain why cities didn't simply relocate—and introduces epidemic disease as an additional factor.

Question 1 (Specific Detail):  The passage suggests that the role of infertile soil differs from civil war and trade decline in that infertile soil is...

Correct Answer: D   — a potential ecological factor that is not a cultural aspect of civilization.

The key sentence is: 'the  drought theory  explains the probable presence not only of potential ecological causes, such as infertile soil, but also of potential non-environmental causes, such as civil war and trade decline, by positing that climatic changes cause widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization.' The passage explicitly categorizes infertile soil as an 'ecological cause' and civil war/trade decline as 'non-environmental causes' tied to 'cultural aspects of civilization.' So infertile soil is ecological and NOT cultural, while civil war and trade decline ARE cultural. That is the difference.  Watch out for Choice B —both infertile soil AND civil war/trade decline are explained by the  drought theory , so that is not a distinguishing factor.

Question 2 (Weaken):  Which would cast the most doubt on the  drought theory ?

Correct Answer: D   — The eighth century was a comparatively peaceful time with increased commerce between Tikal and Teotihuacan.

The  drought theory  claims that mega-droughts caused not just ecological damage but also 'widespread disruption to cultural aspects of civilization'—specifically civil war and trade decline. If the eighth century (the period of the collapse) was actually peaceful with flourishing trade, this directly contradicts the theory's prediction.  Choice E is tempting, but it describes the seventh century—before the collapse—so it does not undermine the theory's claims about what happened during the eighth century.

Question 3 (Author's Attitude):  How would the author describe the  drought theory ?

Correct Answer: C   — based on sound reasoning, but insufficient.

Paragraph  1  presents the  drought theory  favorably: it is supported by 'climatic modeling, coupled with tree ring data' and explains multiple causes. This shows the author considers the reasoning sound. However, Paragraph  2  opens with 'Not all facets of the Classic Maya Collapse can be explained by the  drought theory , however,' and then identifies a gap the theory cannot address (why cities didn't relocate). This signals the author finds the theory incomplete.  'Sound reasoning but insufficient' captures both the respect for the evidence and the recognition of its limitations.   Choice A ('credible but lacking proof') is wrong because the author does cite proof (tree ring data, climatic modeling)—the issue is not missing evidence but missing explanatory coverage.

In the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

In the eighth century, cities in the southern Mayan lowlands began to

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