Entry Exam Category: College Admission Exams
Course: Accuplacer
Exam: Accuplacer Reading Comprehension Practice Test
Practice Question
Extract
Archaeologists have traditionally thought that the rise of agriculture required early farmers to settle down near their crops. But new findings suggest that Çatalhöyük, Turkey—a large Neolithic village of such early farmers—was located in the middle of marshy wetlands. Archaeologist Arlene Rosen’s analysis of fossil remains of wheat and barley found at Çatalhöyük indicates that the grain was grown in a dry area. Some experts reject the implication that Çatalhöyük’s farmers cultivated distant fields, since large quantities of grain would have had to be transported. However, archaeobotanist Eleni Asouti has shown that the wood used for construction at Çatalhöyük grew at least twelve kilometers away from the village.
Which of the following, if true, would most challenge the 'implication' mentioned in the fourth sentence? 'Some experts reject the implication that Çatalhöyük’s farmers cultivated distant fields, since large quantities of grain would have had to be transported.'
Answer Choices
- A: Çatalhöyük's farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.
- B: Çatalhöyük's farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.
- C: Çatalhöyük's farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.
- D: Çatalhöyük's farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The implication is that farmers at Çatalhöyük grew their crops in distant dry areas and transported them back to the marshy village. If they instead acquired the crops through trade, this would directly challenge the assumption that they cultivated those distant fields themselves—undermining Rosen’s conclusion and the debate over transportation logistics.