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Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.
Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-
lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltry
sums are available for excavating and even less is avail-
able for publishing the results and preserving the sites 
(5)  once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with priceless
objects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegal 
excavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces being 
sold to the highest bidder.
I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that 
(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology and 
reduce the amount of illegal digging. I would propose 
that scientific archeological expeditions and govern-
mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the open 
market. Such sales would provide substantial funds for 
(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sites 
and the publication of results. At the same time, they 
would break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market, 
thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegal 
activities.
(20) You might object that professionals excavate to 
acquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-
facts are part of our global cultural heritage, which 
should be available for all to appreciate, not sold to the 
highest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique
(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,
everything that comes our of the ground has scientific 
value. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may be 
correct in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-
tific value. Practically, you are wrong.
(30) I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancient 
lamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. In 
one small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recently 
uncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs in
a single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions 
(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-
dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.
The basements of museums are simply not large 
enough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-
ered in the future. There is not enough money even to 
(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be found 
again and become as inaccessible as if they had never 
been discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,
sold artifacts could be more accessible than are the 
pieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to 
(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of the 
purchasers could be maintained on the computer A
purchaser could even be required to agree to return the 
piece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.
It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging 
(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.
But the demand for the clandestine product would be 
substantially reduced. Who would want an unmarked 
pot when another was available whose provenance was 
known, and that was dated stratigraphically by the 
professional archaeologist who excavated it?
Q. The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?
  • a)
    Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.
  • b)
    The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.
  • c)
    Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.
  • d)
    Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.
  • e)
    Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as foll...
A is the best answer. The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excation appears in lines 74-75, in which the author predicts that such official sale would reduce demand for “the clandestine product.” The rhetorical question that follows (lines 76-80) indicates that the author finds it unlikely that any purchaser would prefer objects of unknown provenance to objects of known origin, or, to rephrase, the author assumes that most people would prefer to purchase objects of authenticated provenance, as this choice states.
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Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2024 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for GMAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions: Read the Passage carefully and answer the question as follow.Archaeology as a profession faces two major prob-lems. First, it is the poorest of the poor. Only paltrysums are available for excavating and even less is avail-able for publishing the results and preserving the sites(5) once excavated. Yet archaeologists deal with pricelessobjects every day. Second, there is the problem of illegalexcavation, resulting in museum-quality pieces beingsold to the highest bidder.I would like to make an outrageous suggestion that(10) would at one stroke provide funds for archaeology andreduce the amount of illegal digging. I would proposethat scientific archeological expeditions and govern-mental authorities sell excavated artifacts on the openmarket. Such sales would provide substantial funds for(15) the excavation and preservation of archaeological sitesand the publication of results. At the same time, theywould break the illegal excavator’s grip on the market,thereby decreasing the inducement to engage in illegalactivities.(20) You might object that professionals excavate toacquire knowledge, not money. Moreover, ancient arti-facts are part of our global cultural heritage, whichshould be available for all to appreciate, not sold to thehighest bidder. I agree. Sell nothing that has unique(25) artistic merit or scientific value. But, you might reply,everything that comes our of the ground has scientificvalue. Here we part company. Theoretically, you may becorrect in claiming that every artifact has potential scien-tific value. Practically, you are wrong.(30)I refer to the thousands of pottery vessels and ancientlamps that are essentially duplicates of one another. Inone small excavation in Cyprus, archaeologists recentlyuncovered 2,000 virtually indistinguishable small jugs ina single courtyard, Even precious royal seal impressions(35) known as/melekh handles have been found in abun-dance---more than 4,000 examples so far.The basements of museums are simply not largeenough to store the artifacts that are likely to be discov-ered in the future. There is not enough money even to(40) catalogue the finds; as a result, they cannot be foundagain and become as inaccessible as if they had neverbeen discovered. Indeed, with the help of a computer,sold artifacts could be more accessible than are thepieces stored in bulging museum basements. Prior to(45) sale, each could be photographed and the list of thepurchasers could be maintained on the computer Apurchaser could even be required to agree to return thepiece if it should become needed for scientific purposes.It would be unrealistic to suggest that illegal digging(50) would stop if artifacts were sold on the open market.But the demand for the clandestine product would besubstantially reduced. Who would want an unmarkedpot when another was available whose provenance wasknown, and that was dated stratigraphically by theprofessional archaeologist who excavated it?Q.The author’s argument concerning the effect of the official sale of duplicate artifacts on illegal excavation is based on which of the following assumptions?a)Prospective purchasers would prefer to buy authenticated artifacts.b)The price of illegally excavated artifacts would rise.c)Computers could be used to trace sold artifacts.d)Illegal excavators would be forced to sell only duplicate artifacts.e)Money gained from selling authenticated artifacts could be used to investigate and prosecute illegal excavators.Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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