Hi everyone,
Took 9 minutes including 3 minutes for reading, writing down paragraphs summaries and main point.
P1:Morris' study
P2: to prove the existence of 2 population at the Aztec site
MP: To discuss the presence of two populations living at the Aztec site
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1. The author of the passage likely mentions both Morris and the tree-ring dates in order to
Pre-thinking:
Highlight the fact that old studies match with recent studiesA. Explain how both natural and man-made evidence contributes to debunking a myth about a particular site.
Never mentioned. Hence incorrectB. Describe how the later remodeling of Aztec was in the Mesa Verde-style.
Not the purpose here. Hence incorrectC. Challenge the idea that the Mesa Verde people preceded the Chaco people at Aztec.
The references are not intended to challenge anything. Hence incorrectD. Bolster his/her own argument through both recently discovered and historical evidence.
Indeed in line with pre-thinking. Hence correctE. Prove that only the Chaco and Mesa Verde people lived at Aztec.
[b]This is mentioned in the last paragraph. Hence out of context and incorrect[/b]
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.2The author is primarily concerned with
Pre-thinking:
Refer to main point above to analyze the answer choicesA. Refuting a misconception with specific support
No misconception is refusedB. Describing the findings of an archaeologist with whom the author partially agrees
There is no partial agreement from the author. Here incorrectC. Stating a theory and providing support for it
The theory is that Chaco people and Mesa verde people lived in the site. Hence correctD. Reframing the timeline for the habitation of a historical site
This is not the purpose although the timeline is also part of the discussion. Hence incorrectE. Arguing for the existence of different cultures
This answer choice is too vague. Plus the existence of any culture is doubted. Hence incorrect------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Which of the following is implied about the Aztec site?
Pre-thinking:
Let's analyze the answer choices.A. It was not extensively excavated until the 1920’s.
We know that the studies conducted by Morris were conducted in 1920 but this does not authorize us to state this. Hence incorrectB. Its population was a mix of Chaco and Mesa Verde peoples.
Clearly the passage concludes that two populations live at the Aztec site but we have no information to say that there was a mix. Plus we are told that the two population lived at the site in two different times. Hence incorrectC. Aztec was uninhabited by the end of the Mesa Verde period.
The author concludes that there are two definite periods of occupation but nowhere it is written that those were the only one. This is a close one but incorrectD. The Mesa Verde people did not take most of their possessions with them when they abandoned the site.
No information given supports this statementE. The Aztec site excavated under Morris was expected to have more burial sites than found.
"In addition there were surprisingly few burial sites." Hence correct------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
Pre-thinking:
Let's read the answer choicesA. The pottery belonging to the Chaco period was distinctively different from that belonging to the Mesa Verde period.
"Overlying the Chaco debris and sterile sand layers, Morris found pottery, household utensils, and burials characteristic of the classic Mesa Verde Period—a period which occurred later than the great Chaco Period."
This option is acceptable but the opposite might be true as well. There is no clear information to support this option but the passage states that there were significant differences between the two cultures. Let's keep this one for the momentB. The Chaco people died out before the Mesa Verde people did.
Cannot be inferred. As per what we know they just might have moved somewhere else. Hence incorrectC. The dwellings of the Chaco Canyon were more intimate in size than those of the Mesa Verde people.
The passage would support the opposite. Hence incorrectD. The burial customs of the Mesa Verde people are also unknown.
Chaco burial customs are not known. Few of them have been located. This makes this answer choice incorrectE. The Aztec people never actually lived in Aztec, New Mexico.
This information is not supported since we don't know anything about Aztec people and the two populations mentioned in the passage are not defined as the only populations that lived at the Aztec site. Hence incorrect
Since we could eliminate all the other answer choices on solid grounds we can safely choose choice A
It is a good day to be alive, cheers!