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Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in so
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07 Sep 2025, 22:03
07 Sep 2025, 22:03
Expert Reply
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Question Stats:
60% (00:58) correct
40% (00:37) wrong based on 10 sessions
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Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in southern France suggest that prehistoric man viewed animals as central to both his rituals and existence. Whether this focus results from the idolization or subjugation remains (i) ______ - for every painting of a beast riddled with spears, there exists another in which man is depicted in a far more (ii) _______ role, arms outspread as though in obeisance.
| Blank (i) | Blank (ii) |
|---|---|
| A. incontrovertible | D. diminutive |
| B. equivocal | E. deferential |
| C. inconsequential | F. sacerdotal |
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Re: Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in so
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04 Oct 2025, 00:43
04 Oct 2025, 00:43
Expert Reply
Analysis of Blank (i)
The sentence discusses the interpretation of cave paintings regarding prehistoric man's view of animals.
- The Conflict: Did the focus on animals result from idolization (worship/respect) or subjugation (domination/control)?
- The Evidence: The evidence is contradictory: "for every painting of a beast riddled with spears, there exists another..."
Because the evidence is contradictory (spears vs. obeisance), the question of whether it was idolization or subjugation remains unsettled or unclear.
- A. incontrovertible: Impossible to dispute; certain. (Incorrect, as the evidence is conflicting).
- B. equivocal: Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous. This is a perfect fit, as the conflicting evidence makes the conclusion ambiguous. (Correct)
- C. inconsequential: Not important or significant. (Incorrect, the finding is clearly significant to archaeologists).
The best fit for (i) is equivocal.
Analysis of Blank (ii)
The second blank describes man's role in the painting that is presented as a contrast to the "beast riddled with spears."
- Contrast: The painting with spears suggests subjugation/domination.
- Opposing Painting: In the opposing painting, man is shown "arms outspread as though in obeisance" (respectful submission or reverence).
Therefore, man is depicted in a role that shows respect, submission, or humility.
- D. diminutive: Extremely small. This describes physical size, not role or reverence. (Incorrect)
- E. deferential: Showing humble submission and respect. This perfectly matches the action of being in "obeisance." (Correct)
- F. sacerdotal: Relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly. While it suggests a ritual role, deferential better describes the specific act of submission implied by "obeisance."
The best fit for (ii) is deferential.
Final Solution
The completed sentence is:
Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in southern France suggest that prehistoric man viewed animals as central to both his rituals and existence. Whether this focus results from the idolization or subjugation remains equivocal (i) - for every painting of a beast riddled with spears, there exists another in which man is depicted in a far more deferential
(ii) role, arms outspread as though in obeisance.
Blank (i): B. equivocal
Blank (ii): E. deferential
The sentence discusses the interpretation of cave paintings regarding prehistoric man's view of animals.
- The Conflict: Did the focus on animals result from idolization (worship/respect) or subjugation (domination/control)?
- The Evidence: The evidence is contradictory: "for every painting of a beast riddled with spears, there exists another..."
Because the evidence is contradictory (spears vs. obeisance), the question of whether it was idolization or subjugation remains unsettled or unclear.
- A. incontrovertible: Impossible to dispute; certain. (Incorrect, as the evidence is conflicting).
- B. equivocal: Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous. This is a perfect fit, as the conflicting evidence makes the conclusion ambiguous. (Correct)
- C. inconsequential: Not important or significant. (Incorrect, the finding is clearly significant to archaeologists).
The best fit for (i) is equivocal.
Analysis of Blank (ii)
The second blank describes man's role in the painting that is presented as a contrast to the "beast riddled with spears."
- Contrast: The painting with spears suggests subjugation/domination.
- Opposing Painting: In the opposing painting, man is shown "arms outspread as though in obeisance" (respectful submission or reverence).
Therefore, man is depicted in a role that shows respect, submission, or humility.
- D. diminutive: Extremely small. This describes physical size, not role or reverence. (Incorrect)
- E. deferential: Showing humble submission and respect. This perfectly matches the action of being in "obeisance." (Correct)
- F. sacerdotal: Relating to priests or the priesthood; priestly. While it suggests a ritual role, deferential better describes the specific act of submission implied by "obeisance."
The best fit for (ii) is deferential.
Final Solution
The completed sentence is:
Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in southern France suggest that prehistoric man viewed animals as central to both his rituals and existence. Whether this focus results from the idolization or subjugation remains equivocal (i) - for every painting of a beast riddled with spears, there exists another in which man is depicted in a far more deferential
(ii) role, arms outspread as though in obeisance.
Blank (i): B. equivocal
Blank (ii): E. deferential
gmatclubot
Re: Cave paintings recently found hundreds of feet below the surface in so [#permalink]
04 Oct 2025, 00:43
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