StrengthenDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: Farmers in ancient Mesopotamia shifted from growing wheat to barley. Some historians believe this happened because the soil became too salty from irrigation water that couldn't drain away.
Conclusion: The drop in wheat production in ancient Mesopotamia was caused by soil salt accumulation resulting from heavy irrigation and poor drainage.
Reasoning: Wheat production decreased significantly after 2900 B.C., while barley production saw a sharp increase during the same period.
Analysis: To strengthen the historians' claim, we need to find a piece of evidence that links the specific environmental change (salt) to the specific shift in crops (wheat to barley). Look for an answer choice that establishes a relevant difference between the two grains, such as barley being significantly more salt-tolerant than wheat. If barley thrives in salty soil while wheat dies, the historians' theory becomes much more plausible. We want to bridge the gap between the observed data of crop changes and the proposed cause of soil salinity.
Conclusion: The drop in wheat production in ancient Mesopotamia was caused by soil salt accumulation resulting from heavy irrigation and poor drainage.
Reasoning: Wheat production decreased significantly after 2900 B.C., while barley production saw a sharp increase during the same period.
Analysis: To strengthen the historians' claim, we need to find a piece of evidence that links the specific environmental change (salt) to the specific shift in crops (wheat to barley). Look for an answer choice that establishes a relevant difference between the two grains, such as barley being significantly more salt-tolerant than wheat. If barley thrives in salty soil while wheat dies, the historians' theory becomes much more plausible. We want to bridge the gap between the observed data of crop changes and the proposed cause of soil salinity.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage25.Which one of the following, if true, most helps to support the historians' contention concerning the reasons for the decline in wheat production in ancient Mesopotamia?
Correct Answer
B
Barley’s much greater resistance to soil salinity directly links the proposed cause (salt buildup from excessive irrigation and poor drainage) to the pattern observed (wheat down, barley up). If salt harms wheat but not barley, the historians’ explanation becomes highly plausible.
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