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Difficulty: Very hardLogical Inferences

Linguists long hypothesized that geographic isolation acts as a conservative force, preserving a language's ancestral phonology by shielding it from contact-induced change. To test this, researcher Maya Lin analyzed several phonological structures in the highly isolated Pamir languages of Central Asia. Lin discovered that although these languages retained archaic vowel systems, they also exhibited rapid, systemic lenition (softening of consonant sounds). Because this consonant lenition arose from internal articulatory simplification rather than contact with neighboring languages, Lin concluded that geographic isolation, while preventing external linguistic borrowing, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. does not preclude rapid phonological changes driven by internal articulatory drift.Answer
  2. B
    inevitably leads to a faster overall rate of language evolution than that seen in contact-rich environments.
  3. C
    fails to shield a language's vowel system from undergoing contact-induced phonological decay.
  4. D
    is less effective at preserving ancestral grammar than it is at preserving vocabulary.

Answer

does not preclude rapid phonological changes driven by internal articulatory drift.
The correct option logically completes the passage by concluding that geographic isolation does not stop rapid phonological changes when they are driven by internal articulatory drift. This follows directly from the findings that the isolated Pamir languages experienced rapid consonant softening (lenition) due to internal simplification, even while being cut off from external contact.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main premise and conflict in the text.
The text states that geographic isolation is thought to preserve ancestral phonology by preventing contact-induced changes, but isolated Pamir languages still experienced rapid consonant changes (lenition) from internal factors.
Establishing the premises helps determine the logical gap the conclusion must bridge.
2
Evaluate the role of internal vs. external factors.
The external factor (contact-induced change) was prevented by isolation, but the internal factor (articulatory simplification) still caused rapid consonant changes.
This explains why isolation is not a complete barrier to sound changes.
3
Determine the logical conclusion that completes the text.
Geographic isolation prevents external borrowing but does not prevent internal phonological drift.
The blank requires a conclusion that matches the contrast between successful isolation from external change and the continuation of internal change.

Key Concept

Drawing logical inferences from contrasting premises in academic texts.
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Topics

Logical Inferences

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