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Difficulty: Very hardPart-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

For decades, Eurocentric linguistic theories positioned the Inka khipu—a system of knotted, colored cords—as a mere mnemonic device rather than a true writing system, arguing that writing must orthographically record speech sounds. Anthropologist Sabine Hyland challenged this paradigm by identifying phonetic khipus that utilize combinations of animal fiber and spin direction to transcribe specific ayllu (clan) names. By demonstrating that the khipu's physical attributes encode phonetic values, Hyland suggests that Andean recording systems operated on principles distinct from, yet parallel to, alphabetic writing. Consequently, scholars are increasingly forced to re-evaluate the traditional taxonomies of literacy.

Which choice best describes the function of the underlined sentence in the text as a whole?

  1. A
    It details the physical and structural properties that characterize all ancient Andean recording systems.
  2. B
    It states the primary conclusion of the text regarding the necessity of redefining traditional categories of literacy.
  3. It introduces a specific research discovery that directly challenges the conceptual assumption described in the first sentence.Answer
  4. D
    It proposes a novel theoretical framework to explain how non-alphabetic societies developed phonetic writing systems.

Answer

The correct option is the one stating that the underlined sentence introduces a research discovery that directly challenges the conceptual assumption described in the first sentence.
The correct option describes how the underlined sentence functions to introduce Sabine Hyland's discovery of phonetic khipus, which directly disputes the traditional theory mentioned in the first sentence that writing must be orthographic and that khipus were only mnemonic devices.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the main claim and assumptions of the opening sentence.
The opening sentence outlines a traditional consensus that Inka khipus are not true writing because writing must orthographically record speech sounds.
To understand the context and the premise that the underlined sentence addresses.
2
Determine the content and role of the underlined sentence.
The underlined sentence states that anthropologist Sabine Hyland identified phonetic khipus that transcribe specific clan names.
To identify the content and role of Hyland's research in relation to the opening claim.
3
Connect the underlined sentence's content to the rest of the passage.
Hyland's finding of phonetic transcription directly refutes the traditional theory's claim that khipus are merely mnemonic and cannot record speech sounds.
To determine the logical relationship between the part (the finding) and the rest of the text.

Key Concept

Determining how a specific sentence or part of a text contributes to the development of the author's argument or the passage as a whole.
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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Topics

Part-to-Whole Rhetorical Function

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