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Difficulty: HardLogical Inferences

Archaeologists analyzing pottery fragments from the Neolithic site of Tell Sabi Abyad discovered residues of beeswax. Because beeswax was commonly used to seal porous clay vessels, researchers hypothesized that these pots were specifically prepared to store dairy products, coinciding with the local adoption of pastoralism. However, chemical analysis of these ceramic matrices revealed no traces of milk lipids, which are highly stable and typically survive in pots used for dairy processing, even as other organic materials degrade. Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. the vessels were likely not used to store dairy products, despite the presence of the beeswax sealant.Answer
  2. B
    the milk lipids originally present in the vessels degraded over time while the beeswax residues remained intact.
  3. C
    pastoralist communities at Tell Sabi Abyad preferred to store dairy products in vessels made from materials other than clay.
  4. D
    the adoption of dairy processing in the region did not coincide with the domestication of cattle.

Answer

the vessels were likely not used to store dairy products, despite the presence of the beeswax sealant.
The correct option is supported because the passage notes that milk lipids are highly stable and typically survive in pots used for dairy processing. Since chemical analysis of the ceramic matrices revealed no traces of these lipids, it is logical to conclude that the vessels were not used to store dairy products.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the researchers' hypothesis and the supporting premises.
The hypothesis is that the vessels were used to store dairy products, supported by the presence of a beeswax sealant.
To evaluate the validity of the hypothesis against the new chemical evidence.
2
Analyze the conflicting evidence presented in the passage.
Chemical analysis showed no traces of milk lipids, which are highly stable and normally survive in vessels used for dairy.
To determine how the absence of milk lipids affects the hypothesis.
3
Formulate a logical conclusion based on the synthesis of premises.
Since milk lipids typically survive but were not found, the hypothesis that the vessels stored dairy is undermined, meaning they were likely not used for that purpose.
To complete the passage with the most logical inference.

Key Concept

Drawing logical conclusions based on the presence or absence of evidence
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Logical Inferences

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