Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever

Question

Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever hunter-gatherers has long dominated anthropology. His theory has been reinforced by an accident of history: the human fossil record has been found largely in reverse order. Remains of humans' most recent forebears, who lived 35,000 to 100,000 years ago, were discovered in 1856; over the next century, discoveries yielded fossils of hominids from progressively earlier eras. Because the first-discovered fossil hominids, the Neanderthals, genuinely resembled modern humans, anthropologists from Darwin on have confused the life-styles of today's nonindustrial peoples with those of our distant hominid forebears. These  anthropologists  have failed to consider both the sophistication of modern hunter-gatherer societies (including their use of fire, clothing, shelter, weapons, tools, language, and complex strategies) and the ways in which their environments differ from prehistoric ones (for example, in containing fewer large animal predators).

Recent intellectual developments, such as the new field of taphonomy, have called into question the traditional hypothesis that early hominids outsmarted the predators with whom they competed for meat and that they mastered their world through hunting. Taphonomy investigates the transformation of skeletal remains into fossil—it asks, for example, whether bone piles have been deposited by predators, hunters, or floodwaters, and whether hyenas' teeth scar animal bones differently than do human tools.

Taphonomy has been utilized by some researchers in studying a group of animal fossils, hominid fossils, and stone tools that were almost two million years old. By comparing the microscopic features of linear grooves on the fossilized animal bones with similar grooves on modern bones, the researchers found that cut marks made by stone tools differed from the marks of other taphonomic agents, such as carnivores' teeth or sedimentary abrasion. They also found that the markings of stone tools on many of the fossilized animal bones did not occur systematically at the joints and that the toothmarks of animal carnivores often underlay rather than overlay the cut marks.

The  researchers  hypothesized from this evidence that early hominids were scavengers of meat left from carnivore kills, rather than hunters of live prey. From patterns of wear on fossilized hominid teeth, the researchers further deduced that early hominids, like other scavengers, ate fruit primarily and meat only occasionally. Early hominids could have been well adapted for scavenging: agility in climbing trees helped them escape predators and gain superior vantage points, and an  upright mode of walking  enabled them to scan the ground for carcasses and to carry useful scavenging tools. According to these researchers Darwin's vision of early prehistoric hunters may be familiar and appealing, but the fossil record suggests a revised picture of less confident early hominids who often perched in trees and who foraged and scavenged alone or in small groups.    1 
 1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main idea of the passage?

(A) With the aid of new research methods, a group of anthropologists has been able to refute Darwinian theories about the social organization of modern hunter-gatherer societies.
(B) The recent development of new techniques for conducting anthropological research has begun to challenge the traditional methodologies used by anthropologists.
(C) Although most anthropologists have long accepted Darwin's conception of prehistoric humans, new research techniques are providing support for an alternative view of early hominids.
(D) Anthropologists' mistaken conception of prehistoric humans as successful hunters has arisen from and been reinforced by historical circumstances.
(E) Because of recent discoveries about the environment in which prehistoric humans lived, anthropologists are revising their picture of the relationship that existed between these humans and large animal predators.

2 
 2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would encourage the anthropologists mentioned in line 14 ( Highlighted ) to do which one of the following types of research on modern hunter-gatherer societies?

(A) apply the methodologies of taphonomy to study these societies
(B) investigate the similarities of life-styles and environments among the various societies
(C) contrast the competition for food faced by these societies with the competition faced by prehistoric societies
(D) examine the life-styles of hunter-gatherer societies who lived in the previous century
(E) analyze how the world's increasing industrialization is changing the survival strategies used by these societies

3 
 3. It can be inferred from the passage that in reaching their conclusions, the researchers mentioned in line 44 ( Highlighted ) interpreted the taphonomic analysis of marks on animal fossils in which one of the following ways?

(A) The fact that the marks of stone tools did not occur at the joints of the animals indicated that the early hominids hunted and butchered animals less skillfully than did hominids in subsequent eras.
(B) The fact that the marks of stone tools did not occur in a systematic manner indicated that the early hominids might have been working hastily in order to complete their task before a competing group of hominids arrived.
(C) The fact that the marks of stone tools overlay those of animal carnivores indicated that early hominids did not move quickly enough to hunt animals and then butcher them.
(D) The fact that the toothmarks of animal carnivores underlay the marks of stone tools indicated that the early hominids came upon the remains of an animal already killed by an animal predator.
(E) The fact that the toothmarks of animal carnivores accompanied the marks of stone tools indicated that both animal predators and early hominids tended to prefer large prey animals.

4 
 4. The author cites the early hominid's "upright mode of walking" ( Highlighted ) primarily in order to

(A) counter anthropologists' previous hypotheses about how early hominids walked
(B) provide an example of how the hominids were suited to their method of gathering food
(C) explain why early hominids subsisted on a diet that included more fruit than meat
(D) increase the reader's appreciation for the resemblance between early hominids and modern humans
(E) contrast early hominids and other mammals with whom they competed in hunting live prey

5 
 5. Which one of the following situations is most analogous to the discovery of fossil hominids as described in the first paragraph?

(A) Traces of an ancient civilization are found, and scholars conclude that its people occupied the site for only a short period: however, further excavations reveal that the civilization had flourished in this area for several centuries.
(B) Art historians who know the late paintings of an artist find similar paintings done by the artist a few years prior to the late paintings, and conclude that the artist's first paintings, as yet unrecovered, must have been done in the same style.
(C) Two manuscripts written by an anonymous medieval author are discovered many years apart: when the second manuscript is found, historians realize that the manuscripts are far older than they had first believed.
(D) Pottery dating back thousands of years is found, and scholars determine that these pieces bear a striking resemblance to some made only a few hundred years ago.
(E) A fossil of an unknown prehistoric plant is discovered, and botanists seek to find in it characteristics that are similar to those seen in the fossils of other, better-known prehistoric plants.

6 
 6. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as determinable by taphonomic investigation into the marks on fossilized bones EXCEPT the

(A) order in which certain marks were placed
(B) characteristic physical differences among the marks
(C) approximate age of fossils on which the marks are found
(D) agents that have left the marks
(E) similarities to marks on modern bones

7 
 7. The author's primary purpose in writing the passage is to

(A) differentiate between outdated and contemporary research methods
(B) expose the preconceptions behind previous research
(C) present a narrative of how historical events might have unfolded
(D) explain the basis for a revisionary approach to a subject
(E) describe how a new theory has replaced the traditional one

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

1. Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main idea of the passage?

IMO C : Relevant lines are: 
Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever hunter-gatherers has long dominated anthropology. These anthropologists have failed to consider both the sophistication of modern hunter-gatherer societies. Recent intellectual developments, such as the new field of taphonomy, have called into question the traditional hypothesis. According to these researchers Darwin's vision of early prehistoric hunters may be familiar and appealing, but the fossil record suggests a revised picture of less confident early hominids.

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would encourage the anthropologists mentioned in line 14 (Highlighted) to do which one of the following types of research on modern hunter-gatherer societies?

Ans C: Relevant line are:

These anthropologists have failed to consider both the sophistication of  modern hunter-gatherer societies  (including their use of fire, clothing, shelter, weapons, tools, language, and complex strategies) and the ways in which their environments differ from  prehistoric ones  (for example, in containing fewer large animal predators).

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

3. It can be inferred from the passage that in reaching their conclusions, the researchers mentioned in line 44 (Highlighted) interpreted the taphonomic analysis of marks on animal fossils in which one of the following ways?

And: D Relevant lines are:

They also found that the markings of stone tools on many of the fossilized animal bones did not occur systematically at the joints and that the toothmarks of animal carnivores often underlay rather than overlay the cut marks.

The researchers hypothesized from this evidence that  early hominids were scavengers of meat left from carnivore kills , rather than hunters of live prey. From patterns of wear on fossilized hominid teeth, the researchers further deduced that early hominids, like other scavengers, ate fruit primarily and meat only occasionally.

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

4. The author cites the early hominid's "upright mode of walking" (Highlighted) primarily in order to

Ans: B

The relevant lines are:

Early hominids could have been well adapted for scavenging: agility in climbing trees helped them escape predators and gain superior vantage point, and an  upright mode of walking enabled them to scan the ground  for carcasses and  to carry useful scavenging tools .

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

6. Each of the following is mentioned in the passage as determinable by taphonomic investigation into the marks on fossilized bones EXCEPT the

(A) order in which certain marks were placed:  relevant lines are:  toothmarks of animal carnivores often underlay rather than overlay the cut marks.

(B) characteristic physical differences among the marks: mentioned in the passage.  Relevant lines are: 
 By comparing the microscopic features of linear grooves on the fossilized animal bones with similar grooves on modern bones, the researchers found that cut marks made by stone tools differed from the marks of other taphonomic agents.

(C) approximate age of fossils on which the marks are found: Correct Answer.  This is an EXCEPT question:  Not mentioned in the passage whether taphonomic helps to approximate age of fossils or not

(D) agents that have left the marks:  relevant lines are:

researchers found that cut marks made by stone tools differed from the marks of other taphonomic agents.

(E) similarities to marks on modern bones:
  relevant lines are: 
By comparing the microscopic features of linear grooves on the fossilized animal bones with similar grooves on modern bones

kuldeepkrlhd · Answer

7. The author's primary purpose in writing the passage is to

Ans:

Relevant lines are:

Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever hunter-gatherers has  long dominated anthropology.

Recent intellectual developments, such as the new field of taphonomy,  have called into question the traditional hypothesis  that early hominids outsmarted the predators with whom they competed for meat and that they mastered their world through hunting.

According to these researchers Darwin's vision of early prehistoric hunters may be familiar and appealing, but the  fossil record suggests a revised picture of less confident early hominids

sevenfive · Answer

2. It can be inferred from the passage that the author would encourage the anthropologists mentioned in line 14 (Highlighted) to do which one of the following types of research on modern hunter-gatherer societies?

(A) apply the methodologies of taphonomy to study these societies
(B) investigate the similarities of life-styles and environments among the various societies
(C) contrast the competition for food faced by these societies with the competition faced by prehistoric societies
(D) examine the life-styles of hunter-gatherer societies who lived in the previous century
(E) analyze how the world's increasing industrialization is changing the survival strategies used by these societies

The anthropologists have failed to consider sophistication and the ways in which their environment differ from prehistoric ones.
 Had they considered this, they would not have confused the lifestyles of today's non-industrial people with those of our pre historic humans. This consideration would have prevented them from developing a conception that prehistoric humans are clever hunter- gatherers (based on lifestyles of today's non-industrial people).

So to prevent such misconception --> 1) consider sophistication of modern hunter- gatherers
2) consider the ways in which their environment differ from prehistoric men.

Expanding 2) above --> Modern non-industrial people's environment contains fewer large predatory animals --> so this will have impact competition for food, if the man is a hunter-gatherer. So this should be studied --> to clarify the misconception.

So the answer is c)

AkankshaUniyal · Answer

Please explain why E is not correct in question 7

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Option (E)  is not the primary purpose of the passage because the passage doesn't explicitly introduce a new theory to replace the traditional one. Instead, it discusses recent intellectual developments, specifically the field of taphonomy, which has called into question the traditional hypothesis. The passage does not present a fully developed alternative theory but rather highlights the challenges to the existing view based on new evidence and methodologies.

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

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

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Darwin's conception of early prehistoric humans as confident, clever

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

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards