Q7

[dmsqlc1121]

maybe I'm not understanding the main point of the passage. I thought the MP was from line 14-18 which to me does not seem like what (A) is saying; in fact, it seems like it is opposite of what the paragraph is intended to do.

Can someone please help?

[maryadkins]

Agreed that lines 14-18 capture the main point. But that's just end of the first paragraph. The REST of the first paragraph enumerates all the difficulties that make the advances so impressive, which were possible because of the changes in methods discussed in paragraphs two and three (see lines 32-35 in particular, along with lines 42-45). (A) therefore provides an accurate summary of the first paragraph's role in the passage, while the other answer choices all miss the mark in some way.

(B) doesn't describe what the passage is doing. To cast doubt on received views? What received views?

(C) is wrong because the first paragraph doesn't describe the fruitfulness of new methods, nor does the rest of the passage do what (C) is describing.

(D) misdescribes the passage as being about the role of women.

(E) also misdescribes both the first paragraph and the rest of the passage. The passage isn't comparing one branch of archeology to others, nor making suggestions about the future.

Hope this helps clarify.

[dwgriff]

When you say that it seems like (A) contradicts the first paragraph, it is likely that you presumed underscore to mean that it undermines the rest of the passage. In reality, underscore means 'to emphasize' which makes (A) the perfect answer.