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Difficulty: MediumLogical Inferences

Scholars studying the evolution of Indo-European languages have traditionally relied on comparative reconstruction. Recently, researchers applied evolutionary biology models to vocabulary databases, treating words as traits that mutate over time. These models revealed that high-frequency basic vocabulary items, such as pronouns, mutate at a much slower rate than low-frequency terms, such as words for specific tools. Because high-frequency words are reinforced daily within a speech community, they remain highly resistant to replacement, whereas low-frequency words are more susceptible to borrowing during cultural contact. Thus, in an ancient language that experienced intense and prolonged contact with neighboring tongues, ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A
    its basic vocabulary would mutate at a faster rate than its low-frequency words due to the pressure of cultural contact.
  2. B
    its speakers would gradually stop using low-frequency terms in favor of basic pronouns to facilitate communication.
  3. C
    it would eventually lose its structural identity and merge completely with the neighboring languages.
  4. its basic vocabulary would remain largely stable even if many of its terms for tools were replaced by borrowed words.Answer

Answer

The language's basic vocabulary would remain largely stable even if many of its terms for tools were replaced by borrowed words.
The passage establishes that basic vocabulary items (such as pronouns) mutate slowly and are highly resistant to replacement, while low-frequency words (such as words for tools) are more susceptible to borrowing during cultural contact. Therefore, in a language experiencing intense cultural contact, the basic vocabulary is expected to remain stable even if low-frequency words are replaced by borrowed words.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the premises regarding vocabulary mutation and frequency.
High-frequency basic vocabulary (such as pronouns) mutates slowly and resists replacement, whereas low-frequency vocabulary (such as terms for tools) mutates faster and is easily borrowed.
To establish the rules governing vocabulary change given in the text.
2
Analyze the scenario of intense cultural contact.
Cultural contact increases borrowing, which primarily affects low-frequency words because basic vocabulary is reinforced daily and is resistant to replacement.
To apply the established rules to the specific condition of cultural contact.
3
Synthesize the findings to complete the blank.
Under intense contact, the basic vocabulary remains stable, while low-frequency terms undergo borrowing and replacement.
To identify the choice that logically completes the text based on the premises.

Key Concept

Logical Inferences
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Logical Inferences

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