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Question

Difficulty: HardIdentifying Main Conclusions

The prevailing consensus among historians that the Bronze Age Harappan civilization collapsed exclusively due to foreign invasion is fundamentally mistaken. Recent sediment core analyses from the Indus River basin reveal a prolonged, multi-century drought that perfectly coincides with the sudden abandonment of major Harappan urban centers. A climatic shift of this magnitude would have completely decimated the agricultural surplus necessary to sustain such dense urban populations. Furthermore, the archaeological evidence of unburied remains and destroyed fortifications, which scholars have traditionally cited as definitive proof of invasion, is equally consistent with violent internal uprisings triggered by widespread famine.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main conclusion of the argument?

  1. A
    A severe drought in the Indus River basin caused a massive reduction in the agricultural surplus needed to sustain dense Harappan urban populations.
  2. B
    The presence of unburied remains and destroyed fortifications definitively proves that the Harappan civilization collapsed due to internal uprisings rather than foreign invasions.
  3. It is inaccurate to claim that foreign invasion was the exclusive cause of the Harappan civilization's collapse.Answer
  4. D
    Historians have traditionally cited evidence of unburied remains and destroyed fortifications as definitive proof that the Harappans were invaded.
  5. E
    Violent internal uprisings triggered by resource scarcity are a more common cause of ancient urban collapse than foreign invasions.

Answer

The correct answer is the option stating that it is inaccurate to claim foreign invasion was the exclusive cause of the Harappan civilization's collapse.
The correct answer accurately paraphrases the first sentence of the stimulus, which serves as the argument's main conclusion. The author's primary goal is to reject the 'prevailing consensus' that foreign invasion was the exclusive cause of the Harappan collapse. All subsequent statements in the paragraph—the sediment data, the impact on agriculture, and the alternative interpretation of the archaeological evidence—are offered as premises to support this initial, overarching claim.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the argument to identify the core claim the author is trying to prove.
The author's primary goal is to argue against the 'prevailing consensus' mentioned in the very first sentence.
Identifying the author's primary objective is the fundamental step in finding the main conclusion of any argument.
2
Evaluate the structural role of the remaining sentences.
The statements regarding the drought, the decimation of the agricultural surplus, and the alternative explanation for the unburied remains all serve as evidence.
These statements collectively answer the question 'Why is the prevailing consensus mistaken?' thereby acting as premises.
3
Distinguish between the main conclusion and any intermediate conclusions.
The claim that the drought decimated the agricultural surplus is a conclusion drawn from the sediment core data, but it is ultimately used to support the main point that the invasion theory is wrong.
Intermediate conclusions are supported by some premises but are themselves used to support the ultimate conclusion.
4
Select the option that accurately paraphrases the main conclusion without altering its meaning or scope.
The option stating that it is inaccurate to claim foreign invasion was the exclusive cause matches the first sentence perfectly.
The correct answer in a Main Conclusion question must reflect the author's ultimate point exactly, without exaggeration or generalization.

Key Concept

Identifying the Main Conclusion
Estimated Time:1m 45s
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Topics

Identifying Main Conclusions

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