Question

Difficulty: MediumInferential Comprehension and Deduction

Read the passage below carefully and evaluate the statement that follows.

Passage:
For centuries, the heritage of indigo-dyed adire textiles in Abeokuta depended on natural fermentation pits powered by ash-water lye and wild indigo leaves. The labor-intensive process required dyers—predominantly women—to monitor ambient temperature and solution acidity over several weeks. With the introduction of cheap synthetic azo dyes in the late twentieth century, many traditional workshops abandoned organic vats in favor of chemical alternatives that offered rapid color fixing and predictable hues. However, this shift precipitated severe environmental degradation, as untreated toxic effluents discharged directly into municipal drainage channels, contaminating local aquifers. In recent years, a revival led by youth-driven heritage cooperatives has begun re-establishing natural indigo pits. Driven by international demand for sustainably produced textiles and growing domestic awareness of water safety, these artisans have successfully marketed naturally dyed fabrics at a premium. Consequently, elder master dyers who once faced economic obsolescence are now being sought after by younger apprentices eager to master organic fermentation techniques.

Statement:
The resurgence of natural indigo dyeing in Abeokuta was primarily initiated and driven by elder master dyers seeking to address aquifer contamination.

Based on the passage, is the statement above logically supported as true or false?

Answer: Answer

Answer

False. The passage indicates that the revival was spearheaded by youth-driven heritage cooperatives responding to market demand and environmental awareness, rather than being initiated by elder master dyers.
The evaluation of False is correct because the passage attributes the revival to youth-driven heritage cooperatives reacting to market demand for sustainable products and water safety awareness. Elder dyers were sought out afterwards for their technical knowledge, rather than initiating the campaign themselves.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key claim in the statement
The statement claims that elder master dyers initiated and led the resurgence of natural indigo dyeing to tackle water pollution.
Analyzing the subject and causality in the statement helps locate the corresponding evidence in the passage.
2
Scan the passage for details regarding who initiated the revival
The passage states that the revival was led by 'youth-driven heritage cooperatives' driven by 'international demand for sustainably produced textiles and growing domestic awareness of water safety.'
Verifying the catalyst behind the revival determines whether the statement is factually and inferentially supported.
3
Evaluate the role of elder master dyers mentioned in the text
Elder dyers were previously facing 'economic obsolescence' and are now 'being sought after by younger apprentices,' indicating they were beneficiaries of the revival rather than its initiators.
Distinguishing between the initiators of a movement and its supporting experts prevents unwarranted causal inferences.

Key Concept

Inferential Comprehension and Deduction
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