Difficulty: Medium

Average Score: 50%

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?

Rationale

Farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.

This statement directly challenges the implication that the farmers were self-sufficient and that the wheat and barley were grown locally, suggesting instead that their crops were acquired through trade, which could alter the context of the analysis.

A (farmers obtained through trade the wheat and barley that Rosen analyzed.) CORRECT

This option undermines the assumption that the crops were cultivated by the farmers themselves, introducing the possibility that the findings of Rosen's analysis might not reflect the agricultural practices or conditions of the local farmers, thereby questioning the validity of his conclusions.

B (farmers understood the impact of soil conditions on crop productivity.) YOUR ANSWER

While this statement highlights the farmers' awareness of soil conditions, it does not directly challenge the implication regarding the source of the wheat and barley. Understanding soil conditions does not negate the possibility of trade; it merely indicates that farmers are knowledgeable about their agricultural environment.

C (farmers shared wheat and barley fields with neighboring villages.) YOUR ANSWER

This choice suggests a collaborative approach to farming but does not address the implication that the crops were locally grown. Sharing fields could still mean that the crops are produced in the same area, maintaining the context of Rosen's analysis regarding local agricultural practices.

D (farmers used wood that deteriorated in the damp environment.) YOUR ANSWER

This statement deals with the materials used by farmers but does not challenge the implication about the source of the wheat and barley. It is unrelated to the trade aspect and does not affect the analysis of crop origins.

Conclusion

The assertion that farmers obtained the wheat and barley through trade fundamentally challenges the assumption that the crops were locally produced, which is crucial for evaluating Rosen's analysis. The other choices do not effectively contest this underlying implication, as they either support local farming practices or introduce unrelated factors. Understanding the source of resources is essential when assessing the implications of agricultural studies.

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