Native Hawaiian temples on the island of Maui may have been built much more quickly than within the 250-year span...
GMAT Reading Comprehension : (RC) Questions
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Native Hawaiian temples on the island of Maui may have been built much more quickly than within the 250-year span previously supposed by scientists, significantly altering scientists' estimates of the pace of sociopolitical change within Pacific Island cultures. Native Hawaiian oral histories hold that sometime around 1600, a ruler named Pi'ilani united two opposing chiefdoms on Maui into a peaceful religious state. But archaeologists had been unable to scientifically confirm the event, in part because of limitations with radiocarbon dating.
Recently, however, knowing that coral takes in uranium-238 from seawater, researchers used a different radiometric technique to date bits of branch coral collected from living reefs and incorporated ornamentally into the walls of several temples during construction. The technique measures both uranium-238 and thorium-230, into which the uranium decays at a known rate. Dates on the samples that best reflect when they were harvested—those from the coral branch tips —ranged from 1608 to 1638, suggesting there was intensive temple building during that time. Because, the researchers contend, temples served as centers for control of production and the collection of surplus goods, it is likely that the construction boom accompanied a profound shift in sociopolitical structure. The events described by local oral histories agree with these new dates, and the temples provide tangible archaeological evidence that this sociopolitical shift happened in the span of a single generation of Hawaiians.
Ques. 1/3
It is most reasonable to infer that the author uses the phrase "single generation of Hawaiians" in the final sentence of the passage to imply that
Solution
1. Passage Analysis:
Progressive Passage Analysis
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| Native Hawaiian temples on the island of Maui may have been built much more quickly than within the 250-year span previously supposed by scientists, significantly altering scientists' estimates of the pace of sociopolitical change within Pacific Island cultures. | What it says: Scientists used to think Hawaiian temple construction took 250 years, but new evidence suggests it happened much faster, changing how we understand social development in Pacific cultures. What it does: Introduces the main argument and stakes - this is about correcting a major scientific misconception Source/Type: Author's statement of the passage's central claim Connection to Previous Sentences: This is our opening - no previous connections yet Visualization: Old Scientific View: Temple construction = 250 years New Evidence: Temple construction = Much shorter timeframe Impact: Changes understanding of Pacific Island social development Reading Strategy Insight: This sentence gives us the "big picture" upfront - remember this main point as we read details What We Know So Far: There's a scientific disagreement about Hawaiian temple construction timing What We Don't Know Yet: What the new evidence is, how much faster construction really was, what specific methods were used |
| Native Hawaiian oral histories hold that sometime around 1600, a ruler named Pi'ilani united two opposing chiefdoms on Maui into a peaceful religious state. | What it says: Hawaiian oral tradition tells of a specific ruler (Pi'ilani) who unified opposing groups around 1600 into a religious state. What it does: Provides the historical context and specific timeframe that supports the "faster construction" claim Source/Type: Traditional oral histories (not scientific evidence yet) Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 1 told us: Construction happened faster than 250 years - NOW Sentence 2: Gives us the specific time period (around 1600) and historical context - This SUPPORTS the faster timeline by providing a specific date and reason for rapid construction Visualization: Around 1600: Pi'ilani unifies two opposing chiefdoms → Creates peaceful religious state → Would need temples quickly Reading Strategy Insight: This is building evidence for sentence 1's claim - oral histories suggest rapid political change around 1600 |
| But archaeologists had been unable to scientifically confirm the event, in part because of limitations with radiocarbon dating. | What it says: Scientists couldn't prove the oral histories were accurate because their dating methods (radiocarbon dating) weren't good enough. What it does: Explains the scientific problem and sets up why new methods were needed Source/Type: Factual statement about archaeological limitations Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 1: Claimed there's new evidence for faster construction - Sentence 2: Provided oral history evidence - NOW Sentence 3: Explains why oral histories couldn't be scientifically verified before - This sets up the "problem" that the new research solves Visualization: Oral Histories (around 1600) vs. Scientific Confirmation = GAP Radiocarbon Dating = Inadequate tool to bridge this gap Reading Strategy Insight: This "But" signals we're about to learn about NEW methods that solve this problem |
| Recently, however, knowing that coral takes in uranium-238 from seawater, researchers used a different radiometric technique to date bits of branch coral collected from living reefs and incorporated ornamentally into the walls of several temples during construction. | What it says: Scientists found a new way to date the temples by testing coral pieces that were built into temple walls, using uranium dating instead of radiocarbon dating. What it does: Introduces the solution to the dating problem mentioned in sentence 3 Source/Type: Description of new scientific methodology Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 3 told us: Radiocarbon dating had limitations - NOW Sentence 4: Provides the alternative solution - uranium dating of coral - "Recently, however" directly contrasts with the previous limitation - This is the NEW EVIDENCE that supports sentence 1's claim Visualization: Temple Wall = Stone + Decorative Coral Pieces Coral Pieces → Absorbed Uranium-238 from seawater when alive Uranium-238 in Coral → Can be precisely dated Reading Strategy Insight: "However" signals this solves the previous problem - feel confident that we're getting the breakthrough solution |
| The technique measures both uranium-238 and thorium-230, into which the uranium decays at a known rate. | What it says: The dating method works by measuring uranium and what it naturally changes into (thorium) over time at a predictable rate. What it does: Explains the technical details of how the uranium dating method works Source/Type: Scientific explanation Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 4 told us: Scientists used uranium dating on coral - NOW Sentence 5: Explains HOW uranium dating actually works - This elaborates on the new technique without adding complexity Visualization: Uranium-238 → (decays at known rate) → Thorium-230 Measure both substances → Calculate how much time has passed Reading Strategy Insight: This is just explaining HOW the method works - don't get overwhelmed by technical terms, the concept is simple |
| Dates on the samples that best reflect when they were harvested—those from the coral branch tips —ranged from 1608 to 1638, suggesting there was intensive temple building during that time. | What it says: The most reliable coral samples showed dates between 1608-1638, indicating lots of temple construction happened in that 30-year period. What it does: Provides the key scientific results that prove the main argument Source/Type: Research findings/data Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 1 claimed: Construction was much faster than 250 years - Sentence 2 said: Oral histories mention events around 1600 - Sentences 4-5 explained: New uranium dating method - NOW Sentence 6: Provides the PROOF - dates of 1608-1638 (30 years, not 250!) - This directly confirms both the oral histories AND the "faster construction" claim Visualization: Original Estimate: 250 years of construction New Evidence: 1608-1638 = 30 years of intensive building Oral History Date: "around 1600" vs. Scientific Evidence: 1608-1638 = MATCH! Reading Strategy Insight: This is the payoff! All previous sentences led to this proof - feel confident that the argument is now supported |
| Because, the researchers contend, temples served as centers for control of production and the collection of surplus goods, it is likely that the construction boom accompanied a profound shift in sociopolitical structure. | What it says: Researchers believe that since temples were used to control economic activities, the rapid temple building indicates major political and social changes happened at the same time. What it does: Explains the broader significance of the rapid temple construction Source/Type: Researchers' interpretation/argument Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 6 established: Intensive temple building 1608-1638 - NOW Sentence 7: Explains WHY this matters - temples = political control centers - This connects the physical evidence (rapid construction) to social meaning (political change) - Links back to sentence 1's mention of "sociopolitical change" Visualization: Temples = Centers for controlling production + collecting surplus Rapid temple building = Need for rapid political control Therefore: 1608-1638 construction boom = Major political reorganization Reading Strategy Insight: This interprets what the dates MEAN rather than adding new complexity - it's connecting evidence to significance |
| The events described by local oral histories agree with these new dates, and the temples provide tangible archaeological evidence that this sociopolitical shift happened in the span of a single generation of Hawaiians. | What it says: The oral stories match the scientific dates, and the temples give us physical proof that major social changes happened within one generation (about 30 years). What it does: Concludes by showing harmony between oral tradition and science, reinforcing the main argument Source/Type: Author's synthesis/conclusion Connection to Previous Sentences: - Sentence 2: Introduced oral histories about Pi'ilani around 1600 - Sentence 6: Scientific dates of 1608-1638 - Sentence 7: Explained significance of rapid construction - NOW Sentence 8: RESTATES and REINFORCES that oral histories + science + interpretation all agree - "Single generation" simplifies "1608-1638" timeframe - This is NOT new information - it's confirmation and summary Visualization: Oral Histories + Scientific Dating + Archaeological Evidence = CONVERGENT PROOF "Single generation" = ~30 years = 1608-1638 timeframe Reading Strategy Insight: Feel relieved here - this is confirmation and simplification, not new complexity. The author is reinforcing that everything aligns perfectly. Final Summary - What We Now Know: ✓ Hawaiian temple construction was much faster than previously thought ✓ New uranium dating of coral proves intensive building 1608-1638 ✓ This matches oral histories about Pi'ilani's unification around 1600 ✓ Rapid temple building indicates rapid sociopolitical change ✓ All evidence sources agree with each other |
2. Passage Summary:
Author's Purpose:
To explain how new scientific dating methods resolved a long-standing disagreement between Hawaiian oral histories and archaeological evidence about the timing of temple construction and social change.
Summary of Passage Structure:
The author builds their argument by showing how scientists solved a historical puzzle:
- First, the author presents the main discovery - that Hawaiian temples were built much faster than scientists previously thought, which changes how we understand Pacific Island social development.
- Next, the author introduces the conflicting evidence - Hawaiian oral histories claimed rapid political changes around 1600, but scientists couldn't prove this because their dating methods weren't accurate enough.
- Then, the author explains how researchers found a solution by using a new uranium dating technique on coral pieces built into temple walls, which gave them precise dates between 1608-1638.
- Finally, the author shows how all the evidence now fits together - the scientific dates match the oral histories, proving that major social and political changes happened within a single generation.
Main Point:
New scientific dating methods have proven that Hawaiian oral histories were accurate all along - major temple construction and social changes on Maui happened rapidly in the early 1600s within about 30 years, not over the 250-year period scientists previously believed.
3. Question Analysis:
The question asks us to infer what the author implies by using the phrase "single generation of Hawaiians" in the final sentence. This is an inference question about the author's word choice and intended meaning.
Connecting to Our Passage Analysis:
From our analysis, we know that:
- The passage establishes a contrast between oral histories (claiming events around 1600) and previous scientific estimates (250-year construction period)
- New uranium dating provided specific dates of 1608-1638 for intensive temple building
- The final sentence synthesizes that "oral histories agree with these new dates" and provides "tangible archaeological evidence"
- The phrase appears in a concluding statement that emphasizes harmony between different evidence sources
Prethinking:
The phrase "single generation of Hawaiians" appears in the context of showing agreement between oral histories and scientific evidence. The author uses this phrase to emphasize that:
- The 1608-1638 timeframe (about 30 years) represents one generation
- This timeframe matches what the oral histories claimed about Pi'ilani's unification around 1600
- The scientific evidence now supports the oral tradition
The most likely implication is that the author is highlighting the consistency between the researchers' findings and the Hawaiian oral histories about rapid sociopolitical change.
Answer Choices Explained
A
coral was used decoratively in Hawaiian temples only for a relatively short period
Why It's Wrong:
- The passage doesn't discuss the duration of coral use in temple decoration
- The focus is on dating when temples were built, not on decorative practices over time
- "Single generation" refers to the timeframe of sociopolitical change, not coral usage patterns
- Focusing too much on the coral dating technique details?
→ Remember the coral is just the dating method; the main point is about social change timing - Confusing the evidence (coral) with the conclusion (social change)?
→ The "single generation" phrase is about the sociopolitical shift, not the coral itself
B
the temples likely served only a portion of the population on Maui
Why It's Wrong:
- The passage doesn't discuss which portions of the population the temples served
- The focus is on timing of construction, not on temple usage or population coverage
- "Single generation" relates to the timeframe of change, not the scope of temple service
- Misinterpreting "single generation" as referring to who used the temples?
→ The phrase describes when the changes happened, not who was affected - Bringing in outside assumptions about Hawaiian society?
→ Stick to what the passage actually discusses about temple construction timing
C
the researchers' use of the thorium-230 dating method is commendable
Why It's Wrong:
- The phrase "single generation" doesn't evaluate the quality of the research method
- The author presents the thorium-230 dating factually without editorial commentary
- The final sentence focuses on the agreement between evidence sources, not methodology praise
- Thinking detailed scientific explanation indicates author approval?
→ Factual description doesn't equal endorsement; focus on the phrase's actual function - Confusing the author's purpose with methodology evaluation?
→ The author is explaining findings, not critiquing research methods
D
the researchers' study is consistent with oral histories regarding Pi'ilani
Why It's Right:
- The final sentence explicitly states "events described by local oral histories agree with these new dates"
- Pi'ilani's unification "around 1600" matches the scientific dates of 1608-1638
- "Single generation" emphasizes that both sources point to the same rapid timeframe
- The phrase reinforces the passage's main theme of resolving disagreement between oral histories and science
E
the pace of sociopolitical change within Pacific Island cultures was more uneven than most researchers have supposed
Why It's Wrong:
- While the passage mentions that findings alter "estimates of the pace of sociopolitical change," it doesn't suggest the pace was "uneven"
- The focus is on one specific case (Maui temples) rather than broad patterns across Pacific cultures
- "Single generation" refers to the Maui case specifically, not to general patterns of cultural change
- Overgeneralizing from the Maui example to all Pacific cultures?
→ The passage focuses on this specific case; don't extrapolate beyond what's stated - Interpreting "significantly altering scientists' estimates" as evidence of uneven patterns?
→ This shows scientists were wrong about timing, not that change patterns are uneven
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