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Difficulty: EasyIdentifying Conclusions and Main Claims

Recent excavations at the ancient settlement of Oakhaven revealed a high concentration of sophisticated copper-alloy tools alongside imported ceramic wares. Many archaeologists initially hypothesized that Oakhaven was primarily a regional manufacturing hub for metal goods. However, chemical analyses of local slag heaps indicate that copper smelting was conducted only on a minor, household scale, insufficient for commercial export. Furthermore, soil composition studies show extensive agricultural terracing and grain storage facilities across the surrounding hillsides. Therefore, Oakhaven's economy was primarily agrarian rather than industrial, with the imported luxury items likely acquired through agricultural trade rather than metal exports.

Which of the following best expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

  1. The economy of the ancient settlement of Oakhaven was predominantly based on agriculture rather than industrial metal manufacturing.Answer
  2. B
    Copper smelting in ancient Oakhaven was conducted only on a minor, household scale.
  3. C
    Initial archaeological findings of copper tools demonstrate that Oakhaven was primarily a regional metal manufacturing hub.
  4. D
    The inhabitants of Oakhaven relied exclusively on imported ceramic wares for daily domestic use.
  5. E
    Oakhaven suffered an economic decline due to its failure to establish a commercial metal export industry.

Answer

The economy of the ancient settlement of Oakhaven was predominantly based on agriculture rather than industrial metal manufacturing.
The author uses the conclusion signal 'Therefore' to introduce the main claim: that Oakhaven's economy was primarily agrarian rather than industrial. The choice stating that Oakhaven's economy was predominantly based on agriculture accurately identifies this main claim.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Locate structural transition signals in the passage text.
The pivot word 'However' shifts away from the initial hypothesis, and the indicator word 'Therefore' introduces the final conclusion.
Words like 'Therefore' explicitly signal the ultimate claim that the author intends to defend.
2
Distinguish evidence premises from the main thesis statement.
The details concerning household smelting scale and grain storage facilities serve as supporting premises for the broader claim about the overall economy.
Premises provide supporting evidence, whereas the main conclusion synthesizes those findings into a central claim.
3
Match the main conclusion to the corresponding statement.
The statement declaring that Oakhaven's economy was predominantly agricultural directly restates the author's primary claim.
The correct option must summarize the author's ultimate deduction rather than focused sub-details.

Key Concept

Identifying Conclusions and Main Claims
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Topics

Identifying Conclusions and Main Claims

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