Native American women of the Greater American Southwest understood

Question

Native American women of the Greater American Southwest understood ceramic technology long before they began manufacturing ceramic containers. Ceramic containers appeared over a millennium after the introduction of agriculture among southwestern Native American groups that had previously relied solely upon foraging, and approximately eight hundred years after the archaeological record indicates ceramic figurines first appeared in the region. To explain this lag, anthropologist James Brown proposed that the manufacture of ceramic containers began as these groups became increasingly sedentary and more reliant upon agriculture and developed greater need for storage containers. He argued further that since pottery making fit easily into women's schedules, the labor of making containers had negligible costs. Subsequent research has shown that pottery making exacerbated the scheduling problems of women, whose child-care responsibilities, foraging activities, and other  contributions to subsistence  were already greater than during the preceramic period. Other evidence, however, does seem to support Brown's argument that increased need for containers was important to the inception of pottery making. Pottery containers provided a means of storing and cooking food that enhanced the nutritional yield of a given crop. As southwestern populations became more reliant on agriculture for subsistence, they had to increase their crops' nutritional yield, since low population densities impeded expansion of field systems.   1 
 1. The passage supports which of the following inferences regarding ceramic technology?

A. Ceramic technology was developed among Native American groups of the Southwest around the time of the introduction of agriculture.
B. It is difficult to date the inception of ceramic technology among Native American groups of the Southwest by means of the archaeological record.
C. Ceramic technology was closely guarded knowledge belonging to specialized groups of artisans within the larger communities of Native Americans of the Southwest.
D. Ceramic technology was first used by Native Americans of the Southwest to make objects other than vessels following the introduction of agriculture.
E. The development of ceramic technology was prompted by certain developments in agricultural technology.

2  
 2. The passage is primarily concerned with discussing

A. the reasons that ceramic containers were not produced when ceramic technology first became known to southwestern Native American women
B. the ways southwestern Native American women compensated for the increased labor required for ceramic production
C.technological advances in ceramic production introduced by southwestern Native American women
D. possible reasons for the early introduction of ceramic containers among southwestern Native American populations
E. archaeologists' methods for dating the introduction of ceramic containers among southwestern Native American populations

3  
 3. The author of the passage mentions the contributions of women to subsistence in the highlighted text most likely in order to

A. show how evidence contradicts one aspect of Brown's argument
B. explain why vessel manufacture began when it did
C. show that foraging and agriculture were both essential to Native American groups
D. correct a mistaken view about child-care practices
E. explain women's increased need for containers

4  
 4. The author of the passage mentions the effect of ceramic containers on nutritional yields of crops most likely in order to suggest

A. a reason for changes in density among southwestern Native American populations
B. a reason for the increased reliance of southwestern Native American populations on agriculture
C. a reason for the lag in container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations
D. one incentive for container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations
E. the likelihood of scheduling problems for southwestern Native American women

5 
 5. The author of the passage mentions low densities among southwestern Native American populations most likely in order to

A. suggest why Native Americans did not need to expand their field systems
B. imply that nutritional yields from crops did not need to be increased
C. provide evidence to support one part of Brown's argument about the origin of ceramic containers
D. account for the fact that southwestern Native American populations gradually became more sedentary
E. give an example of a factor that has been cited as accounting for the lag in vessel manufacture by southwestern Native Americans

6 
 6. The author of the passage disagrees with James Brown about which of the following?

A. When Native American groups of the Southwest became less nomadic and more reliant on agriculture
B. Why ceramic technology was introduced among Native American groups of the Southwest
C. Whether the introduction of ceramic figurines preceded the introduction of ceramic containers among Native American groups of the Southwest
D. Whether the time demanded for container manufacture fit easily into the labor schedules of Native American women of the Southwest
E. Why the labor container manufacture was performed by women in Native American groups of southwest

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KarishmaB · Accepted Answer

Salient Points of the passage:

NAW understood ceramic technology long before they began manufacturing ceramic containers.

------------- Agriculture Appeared ------200 yrs------Ceramic figurines (not containers) -------------------------800 yrs ------------------ Ceramic Containers

Why the lag in making ceramic containers?

Brown says  
 - the manufacture of ceramic containers began as these groups became increasingly sedentary and more reliant upon agriculture and developed greater need for storage containers. 
- since pottery making fit easily into women's schedules, the labor of making containers had negligible costs.

Author says subsequent research has shown  
- pottery making worsened the scheduling problems of women (so this point is against what Brown proposed)

Author says other evidence shows 
- Pottery containers provided a means of storing and cooking food that enhanced the nutritional yield of a given crop. 
- As southwestern populations became more reliant on agriculture for subsistence, they had to increase their crops' nutritional yield, since low population densities impeded expansion of field systems. 
This s upports Brown's argument that increased need for containers was important to the inception of pottery making.

Once you understand these, the questions are fairly simple.

Question 1.
 
The passage supports which of the following inferences regarding ceramic technology?

A. Ceramic technology was developed among Native American groups of the Southwest around the time of the introduction of agriculture.
B. It is difficult to date the inception of ceramic technology among Native American groups of the Southwest by means of the archaeological record.
C. Ceramic technology was closely guarded knowledge belonging to specialized groups of artisans within the larger communities of Native Americans of the Southwest.
D. Ceramic technology was first used by Native Americans of the Southwest to make objects other than vessels following the introduction of agriculture.
E. The development of ceramic technology was prompted by certain developments in agricultural technology.

(D) is correct . They first made ceramic figurines, not vessels (containers)

Question 2.

The passage is primarily concerned with discussing

A. the reasons that ceramic containers were not produced when ceramic technology first became known to southwestern Native American women
B. the ways southwestern Native American women compensated for the increased labor required for ceramic production
C.technological advances in ceramic production introduced by southwestern Native American women
D. possible reasons for the early introduction of ceramic containers among southwestern Native American populations
E. archaeologists' methods for dating the introduction of ceramic containers among southwestern Native American populations

The passage focuses on why NAW did not produce ceramic containers once they got to know about ceramic tech. Hence  (A) works .

Question 3

The author of the passage mentions the contributions of women to subsistence in the highlighted text most likely in order to

A. show how evidence contradicts one aspect of Brown's argument 
 B. explain why vessel manufacture began when it did 
 C. show that foraging and agriculture were both essential to Native American groups 
 D. correct a mistaken view about child-care practices 
 E. explain women's increased need for containers

This was suggested by the '  Subsequent research'.  That was against Brown's argument. Hence  (A) works.

Question 4.

The author of the passage mentions the effect of ceramic containers on nutritional yields of crops most likely in 
 order to suggest

A. a reason for changes in density among southwestern Native American populations 
 B. a reason for the increased reliance of southwestern Native American populations on agriculture 
 C. a reason for the lag in container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations 
 D. one incentive for container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations 
 E. the likelihood of scheduling problems for southwestern Native American women

Ceramic containers were useful in increasing yields. The author mentions  the effect of ceramic containers on nutritional yields of crops to show why they were made when finally they were made. Hence  (D) is correct.

Question 5.

The author of the passage mentions low densities among southwestern Native American populations most likely in order to

A. suggest why Native Americans did not need to expand their field systems
B. imply that nutritional yields from crops did not need to be increased
C. provide evidence to support one part of Brown's argument about the origin of ceramic containers
D. account for the fact that southwestern Native American populations gradually became more sedentary
E. give an example of a factor that has been cited as accounting for the lag in vessel manufacture by southwestern Native Americans

Given: As southwestern populations became more reliant on agriculture for subsistence, they had to increase their crops' nutritional yield, since low population densities impeded expansion of field systems.

The author mentions low densities of populations to say that field systems could not be expanded (not enough people to work on more fields). 
Hence crops' nutritional yield had to be increased to meet food demands. He provides support to Brown's argument (they needed ceramic containers at that time hence they started at that time).
Hence option  (C) works .

Why is (E) not correct? Low densities of population were never mentioned as a reason why ceramic containers were not made earlier.

Question 6.

The author of the passage disagrees with James Brown about which of the following?

A. When Native American groups of the Southwest became less nomadic and more reliant on agriculture
B. Why ceramic technology was introduced among Native American groups of the Southwest
C. Whether the introduction of ceramic figurines preceded the introduction of ceramic containers among Native American groups of the Southwest
D. Whether the time demanded for container manufacture fit easily into the labor schedules of Native American women of the Southwest
E. Why the labor container manufacture was performed by women in Native American groups of southwest

Author says that other research suggests that women's scheduled worsened after start of making ceramic vessels. Brown believes that ceramic vessel making easily fit into women's schedules. Hence the author does not agree with Brown on this point. 
 Answer (D)

sachi-in · Answer

Q1:

Ceramic containers appeared over a millennium after the introduction of agriculture among southwestern Native American groups that had previously relied solely upon foraging, and approximately eight hundred years after the archaeological record indicates ceramic figurines first appeared in the region.

Agriculture |-----------|-----------------------> 1000yrs ( containers )
 |-----------------(figurines)<-----800yrs-------|

Passage is abt explaining this lag of 800 years.

Hence  option D  is correct.

Diwen2000 · Answer

Q2

The key is "To explain this lag".
Passages before this clause is introduing the lag, and passages after this clause is somebody's explanation of the lag and supporting and contradicting evidence.

Therefore,  A : the reasons for this lag.

bagadekashish · Answer

hey,
can someone please explain why is Q3. A?

Sruthi12 · Answer

Brown's explanation for why there was a lag between the first use of ceramics to make figurines vs containers was - 
Native Americans only needed vessels after they had become sedentary and dependant on agriculture and had storage requirements, he also sayas that this was easy to fit in to women's schedules they started pottery with other tasks. 
While his first assumption that agriculture increased need for containers was proved true with subsequent research. His assumption that women could easily fit this in their schedule was wrong as later research established that they already had a lot on their plate.

mbaprepavi · Answer

3 new questions got on official mock test:

Q4. The author of the passage mentions the effect of ceramic containers on nutritional yields of crops most likely in
order to suggest

1. a reason for changes in density among southwestern Native American populations
2. a reason for the increased reliance of southwestern Native American populations on agriculture 
3. a reason for the lag in container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations 
3. one incentive for container manufacture among southwestern Native American populations 
4. the likelihood of scheduling problems for southwestern Native American women

OA : D

Q5. The author of the passage mentions low densities among southwestern Native American populations most likely
in order to
1. suggest why Native Americans did not need to expand their field systems
2. imply that nutritional yields from crops did not need to be increased
3. provide evidence to support one part of Brown's argument about the origin of ceramic containers
4. account for the fact that southwestern Native American populations gradually became more sedentary 
5. give an example of a factor that has been cited as accounting for the lag in vessel manufacture by southwestern Native Americans

OA: C

Q6
The author of the passage disagrees with James Brown about which of the following?

1. When Native American groups of the Southwest became less nomadic and more reliant on agriculture
2. Why ceramic technology was introduced among Native American groups of the Southwest
3. Whether the introduction of ceramic figurines preceded the introduction of ceramic containers among Native American groups of the Southwest
4. Whether the time demanded for container manufacture fit easily into the labor schedules of Native American women of the Southwest
5. Why the labor container manufacture was performed by women in Native American groups of southwest

OA: D

Bunuel   bb

Kindly add these 3 questions here

Thank you

Bunuel · Answer

Sure. Could you please share the screenshots of these questions? Thank you!

mbaprepavi · Answer

Done,  Bunuel

I also need help on the questions i got wrong  GMATNinja   KarishmaB   MartyMurray 
I didnt quite understand the heart of the passage

Thank you.

Bunuel · Answer

Done. Thank you very much!

Reva22 · Answer

Can some explain answer for Q.5 ?

Armaan209 · Answer

Sure,

First You need to understand that Brown had two points.
1. Need to store the agriculture yield.( supported by the author by presenting an evidence)
2. Women had alot of time for pottery ( this was refuted by the author (Subsequent research))

Because of low population Agriculture systems could not advance ( so they had something to do with their current yeild >> Increase Nutritional value >> Store in container))

nninh · Answer

Can someone explain Q1 more clearly, especially on why E is wrong? Also why is D wrong for Q2?

JuniqueLid · Answer

Here is my take on Q1:

The passage supports which of the following inferences regarding ceramic technology?

A. Ceramic technology was developed among Native American groups of the Southwest around the time of the introduction of agriculture. 
  >> 2nd sentence of the passage says "Ceramic containers appeared... AFTER the introduction of agriculture...", so not "around the time".  
 
B. It is difficult to date the inception of ceramic technology among Native American groups of the Southwest by means of the archaeological record. 
  >> Same sentence as the above from the passage says "approximately eight hundred years after the archaeological record...", so whilst not precise, it doesn't appear "difficult to date".   
 
C. Ceramic technology was closely guarded knowledge belonging to specialized groups of artisans within the larger communities of Native Americans of the Southwest. 
  >> No mentioning of such information in the passage.  
 
D. Ceramic technology was first used by Native Americans of the Southwest to make objects other than vessels following the introduction of agriculture. 
  >> YES. 2nd sentence from the passage says "approximately eight hundred years after the archaeological record indicates ceramic figures first appeared...".  
 
E. The development of ceramic technology was prompted by certain developments in agricultural technology.  
  >> There is no clear information in the passage regarding the origin of the ceramic technology (if defined broadly to include both containers and figures). Then, if ceramic technology here refers more specifically to containers (which aligns with the main message of the passage), its development lagged the producton of other ceramic items and was prompted by: accordingly to James Brown - either 1) due to easily fitting into women's schedule (which was refutted by the author citing evidence from other studies), or 2) the need for food processing and storage as a result of shifting to a more agriculture-based economy (less foraging, more sedentary, and lacking option to expand field systems due to low population densities). The latter is what the author agrees with. Either way, the development of ceramic technology was NOT propmted by agricultural technology.

rockygorock · Answer

appreciate the passage.

In Q3 i was able to navigate, but as per the questions stem there is a portion to be highlighted.

if possible.

Bunuel · Answer

__________________________
Highlighted the text. Thank you!

laborumplaceat · Answer

What is wrong with option D in question 2? Please explain someone!!!

bhanu29 · Answer

Passage is doing exactly the opposite of D, it is why ceramic containers were introduced late, not  EARLY !!

Hope that helps!!

bestreturn · Answer

Oh how I got tripped up from choice D in Q1. When I read "first used by", I really thought they meant Native American were the first people to use it, which wasn't in the passage, so I eliminated it.

Native American women of the Greater American Southwest understood

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Native American women of the Greater American Southwest understood

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