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Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for ACT 2025 is part of ACT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the ACT exam syllabus. Information about Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for ACT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.

Solutions for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for ACT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for ACT Exam by signing up for free.

Here you can find the meaning of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Directions:Read the passages and choose the best answer to each question.PassageNATURAL SCIENCE: The Great Pyramid at Giza: Its Composition and StructureThe Great Pyramid at Giza is arguably one of themost fascinating and contentious piece of architecturein the world. In the 1980s, researchers began focusingon studying the mortar from the pyramid, hoping it(5) would reveal important clues about the pyramid’s ageand construction. Instead of clarifying or expungingolder theories about the Great Pyramid’s age, the resultsof the study left the researchers mystified.Robert J. Wenke from the University of(10) Washington received authorization to collect mortarsamples from some of the famous ancient constructionsites. Among these sites was the Great Pyramid. Themortar that Wenke discovered was formed by particlesof pollen, charcoal, and other organic matter. By using(15) radiocarbon dating, scientists were able to make somedisconcerting discoveries. After adjusting the data, themortar revealed that the pyramid must have been builtbetween 3100 BC and 2850 BC with an average dateof 2977 BC. This discovery was controversial because(20) these dates claimed that the structure was built over400 years earlier than most archaeologists originallybelieved it had been constructed.Furthermore, archaeologists discovered somethingeven more anomalous. Most of the mortar samples(25) collected appeared to be little more than processedgypsum with traces of sand and limestone. The sandand limestone found in the gypsum were not added butwere actually contaminants of the processed gypsum.The mortar used to build the Great Pyramid is of an(30) unknown origin. It has been analyzed repeatedly and itschemical composition has been established. However,even using modern techniques, scientists have beenunable to reproduce it. The gypsum mortar is strongerthan the stone on the pyramid and the mortar is still(35) intact today, thousands of years after the pyramid wasbuilt. This mortar was not used to bond the heavy stoneblocks together like cement mortar does with modernbricks. Instead, the gypsum mortar’s role was to bufferthe joints and to reduce friction as the enormous blocks(40) were put into place.Examining the mortar from the Great Pyramidassists scientists in making inferences about Egypt’spast. Researchers questioned why the Egyptian builderswould choose to use gypsum mortar over lime mortar.(45) Egypt had numerous limestone mines that could havebeen used to create a more durable lime mortar. Despitethe abundance of lime, there is no evidence of limemortar being used in Egypt until 2500 years after thepyramids were built. Researchers then began to deter-(50) mine why the more water-soluble gypsum would havebeen preferred. They discovered that gypsum wouldhave been easier to mine than limestone. In addition,the Egyptian builders discovered that when gypsum isheated to approximately 265 degrees Fahrenheit, some(55) of the moisture is excluded. When the processed gyp-sum is mixed with water again, the resulting substanceis used for the mortar.Despite having significant mineral resources,Egypt has few natural fuels available. The 265 degree(60) Fahrenheit temperatures needed to process the gypsumand turn it into mortar can be achieved with the heat ofan open fire. On the other hand, to make lime mortar,extremely high temperatures of around 1800 degreesFahrenheit are needed. Most historians conjecture that(65) the high heat needed to process limestone is the reasonlime mortar was not used. The shortage of natural fuelsources would most likely have made the creation oflime mortar highly uneconomical.Q.According to the passage, which of the following is a reason that gypsum was used to create mortar instead of limestone?a)Gypsum is more water-soluble than limestone.b)Gypsum is less complicated to mine than limestone.c)Gypsum is sturdier than limestone.d)Gypsum is more costly to mine than limestone.Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice ACT tests.