OG 12 - Q 82 (Except)

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OG 12 - Q 82 (Except)

by rahul.s » Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:30 am
A sudden increase in the production of elephant ivory artifacts on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa occurred in the tenth century. Historians explain this increase as the result of an area opening up as a new source of ivory and argue on this basis that the important medieval trade between North Africa and East Africa began at this period.

Each of the following, if true, provides some support for the historians' account described above EXCEPT:

(A) In East Africa gold coins from Mediterranean North Africa have been found at a tenth-century site but at no earlier sites.

(B) The many surviving letters of pre-tenth-century North African merchants include no mention of business transactions involving East Africa.

(C) Excavations in East Africa reveal a tenth-century change in architectural style to refl ect North African patterns.

(D) Documents from Mediterranean Europe and North Africa that date back earlier than the tenth century show knowledge of East African animals.

(E) East African carvings in a style characteristic of the tenth century depict seagoing vessels very different from those used by local sailors but of a type common in the Mediterranean.

OA: D

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by papgust » Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:43 am
rahul.s wrote: (A) In East Africa gold coins from Mediterranean North Africa have been found at a tenth-century site but at no earlier sites.
-- This strengthens by saying that there had been some trade b/w the two places in the tenth-century. Eliminate

(B) The many surviving letters of pre-tenth-century North African merchants include no mention of business transactions involving East Africa.
-- This talks about the pre-tenth century and strengthens the argument eliminating the fact that there was no relationship b/w two places before tenth-century. Eliminate.

(C) Excavations in East Africa reveal a tenth-century change in architectural style to refl ect North African patterns.
-- This obviously strengthens. Eliminate.

(D) Documents from Mediterranean Europe and North Africa that date back earlier than the tenth century show knowledge of East African animals.
-- This choice weakens by countering that there had been some relationship occurred b/w the two places in the tenth century. Correct!

(E) East African carvings in a style characteristic of the tenth century depict seagoing vessels very different from those used by local sailors but of a type common in the Mediterranean.
-- This choice also strengthens by saying that the carvings from East Africa were of similar type to that of Mediterranean North America. Eliminate

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by komal » Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:25 am
A sudden increase in the production of elephant ivory artifacts on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa occurred in the tenth century. Historians explain this increase as the result of an area opening up as a new source of ivory and argue on this basis that the important medieval trade between North Africa and East Africa began at this period.

Each of the following, if true, provides some support for the historians' account described above EXCEPT:

(A) In East Africa gold coins from Mediterranean North Africa have been found at a tenth-century site but at no earlier sites.
Incorrect : This strengthens the argument by stating that trade between the two africas dint start before the medieval period

(B) The many surviving letters of pre-tenth-century North African merchants include no mention of business transactions involving East Africa.
Incorrect : Again this strengthens the arguments by stating that there is no mention of trade pre-tenth century.

(C) Excavations in East Africa reveal a tenth-century change in architectural style to reflect North African patterns.
Incorrect : Eliminated because it strengthens the argument by showing that east african architectural style changed in tenth century and reflected north african patterns

(D) Documents from Mediterranean Europe and North Africa that date back earlier than the tenth century show knowledge of East African animals.
Correct : There is mention about Mediterranean Europe and north african animals. But shows no relations between
North African & East Africa. Clearly this does not strengthen the argument.


(E) East African carvings in a style characteristic of the tenth century depict seagoing vessels very different from those used by local sailors but of a type common in the Mediterranean.
Incorrect : Again this strengthens the argument


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by ajith » Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:09 am
(D) Documents from Mediterranean Europe and North Africa that date back earlier than the tenth century show knowledge of East African animals.

This does not support the argument presented in the passage that trade between North and East africa started during 10th century.
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by thephoenix » Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:06 pm
here the conclusion is
trade between east Africa and north Africa began during tenth century.
since its an except q we need to find 4 ans which supports the conclusion and one which doesn't
now by POE
a) tells that the contact between the 2 parts indeed started at around 10th century.....supports---> out
b)trade was not established before tenth century, it supports the stimulus in establishing that the trade started after. Eliminated.
c)supports---> out
d)weakens or does not supports--->correct
e)stablishes the contact that occurred during 10th centurysupports---> out