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Passage analysis,
Finding: EA settlement deposition of charred bones. Varying degree of burning noticed.
Theories:
1. remnants of communal food preparation. (slaughtered & cooked)
2. Remains of animal sacrifice during religious ceremonies. (Offered whole)
Notice the difference between these two is one major parameter. one is offered whole and for another purpose it was butchered.

Answer choice analysis,
A. This information does not provide any information to support any of the theories. Even if more deposition is found it does not give clue why it was burnt.
B. If we know this info, still we do not know whether the same animals were sacrificed for religious ceremonies. So, not helpful.
C. This is actually helpful. Since we know for religeous sacrifices of animals they were sacrificed whole. Therefore if we find cut marks for meat removal in the bone, it definitely bolster theory1. This is the correct answer.
D. Since the author did not mention about age preferences of animals for any of the purpose for these settlement's inhabitants. This does not help bolster any of the theories.
E. even if option E is there, we know that there has been culture of animal sacrifice but does not give any idea about the food habits or anything. Therefore, this option also does not provide any insight to eliminate theory 1.
Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


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Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


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We need to evaluate whether the animal bone deposits were remains of 1) RItual sacrifices or 2) Slaughtered & cooked food

A) Similar deposits found at other settlements in the same region - Presence in other settlements doesn't provide clarity on what the animals were used for. Wrong.

B) Belonging to commonly hunted animal species in surrounding regions - Trap choice as there is a possibility that these very hunted animals could be used in sacrifices. Wrong.

C) Bones display cut marks, similar to when animals are butchered for meat - Provides clear evidence concerning the use of these animals that is for food. Hold.

D) Bones of animals in their prime - Age of animals doesn't indicate if they were killed for food or for rituals. Wrong.

E) Contemporary culture records - No relevance to the bone deposits. Wrong.

Therefore, ANSWER IS C
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Here the clarity is required on the reason behind the animals death. Is it for food or for sacrifice to god.

Option-C seems correct.
if the answer to this is Yes, then the cut marks represent they have been butchered for meat and if no, then we can conclude that they have been sacrificed for god.
Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


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IMO - ANS is (C)
Because from cuts we can say its done for religious sacrifice or for eating but cut would be there to support both hypothesis. Thanks!
Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


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Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
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A. Similar deposits would be helpful to decide between the hypotheses.
B. Even if the bones were of species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region, they could’ve served either purpose. Maybe they were offered as food during religious ceremonies or they were used for food. Not helpful.
C. Correct. If people ate animals, bones will have butchery marks. If they were burned whole as offerings, the marks will be absent and hence they were not eaten.
D. Age of bones is irrelevant.
E. Irrelevant.
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Bunuel
Archaeologists excavating an early agrarian settlement discovered a concentrated deposit of charred animal bones at the center of the site. The bones represent several different species and show varying degrees of burning. The deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation - animals slaughtered and cooked during large gatherings of the settlement's inhabitants. Alternatively, the deposit may represent the remains of ritual animal sacrifices, in which animals were burned whole as offerings during religious ceremonies.

In order to help decide between the two hypotheses about the origin of the bone deposit, which of the following would it be most useful to know?

(A) Whether similar deposits of charred animal bones have been found at other settlements in the same region
(B) Whether the bones belong to animal species that were commonly hunted for food in the surrounding region
(C) Whether the bones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat
(D) Whether the deposit contains bones from animals of various ages or predominantly from animals in their prime
(E) Whether written or artistic records from contemporary cultures depict animals being used in religious ceremonies

 


This question was provided by GMAT Club
for the GMAT World Cup Competition

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C would be the answer.
When C's right it says the boones display cut marks of the kind produced when animals are butchered for the removal of meat. So if thats true then we could say the hypotheses that the deposit may be the remnants of communal food preparation.
Easy way would be to eliminate others
A It doesn't matter if similar deposits were found as we can't decide on which hypotheses is right.
B This doesn't help either. What the bones were used for can't help us to decide on hypotheses.
D Age of bones isn't the concern or lead us to the answer.
E Records of animals being used in religious ceremonies doesn't matter.Either of the hypotheses could still be right.
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