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Some scholars believe that the frequent use of repetition in Native American ceremonial texts was a result of their oral nature and helped make the works easy to remember. Native American scholar Paula Gunn Allen argues that this factor must be peripheral, however, because people in societies without writing traditionally developed finely tuned memories. Native American children learned early to remember complicated instructions and long stories by heart. For a person who couldn't run to a bookshelf to look up information, reliance on memory became very important in everyday life. Such highly developed memory is not likely to fail on ceremonial occasions.

In context, what does the final sentence suggest about Native American ceremonial texts?

Rationale

Their use of repetition cannot be explained as an aid to memorization.

The final sentence implies that the complexity of Native American ceremonial texts goes beyond mere memorization techniques, suggesting that repetition serves a deeper purpose in conveying intricate concepts or meanings.

A (Understanding them requires a highly developed memory.) YOUR ANSWER

While memory is important for understanding ceremonial texts, the statement does not imply that a highly developed memory is the primary requirement. Instead, it emphasizes the complexity of the texts themselves and the multifaceted nature of their meanings.

B (Their inclusion of complicated and detailed material is traditional.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice suggests a cultural practice rather than addressing the nature of repetition in the texts. The final sentence focuses on the role of repetition, indicating that the intricacy of the material cannot be solely attributed to tradition.

C (They are important in the everyday lives of many Native Americans.) YOUR ANSWER

Although ceremonial texts may hold significance in Native American culture, the excerpt does not discuss their everyday importance. The focus is on the structural complexity of the texts and the function of repetition within them.

D (Their use of repetition cannot be explained as an aid to memorization.) CORRECT

This choice accurately reflects the implication of the final sentence, which highlights that the intricate nature of the texts requires a deeper understanding of their purpose beyond just helping with memorization.

Conclusion

The final sentence of the extract underscores the complexity of Native American ceremonial texts, indicating that their use of repetition has significance beyond mere memorization. This suggests that the texts are crafted to convey deeper meanings, which may reflect the multifaceted understanding of the universe in Native American cosmology.

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