SAT OwlQuestion bank / Cross-Text Connections
Text 1: In studying the collapse of Classic Maya cities in the ninth century CE, many archaeologists have emphasized a series of severe droughts recorded in lake sediments and cave formations. Without reliable rainfall, they argue, the farming systems that fed dense urban populations failed, and people abandoned the cities.
Text 2: Drought clearly strained Maya society, but it cannot by itself explain the pattern of abandonment. Some cities in the driest regions endured for generations after the droughts began, while others in wetter areas were deserted early. Archaeologist Elena Ruiz argues that cities with rigid, centralized leadership collapsed fastest, because their rulers' authority rested on promises of prosperity that drought made impossible to keep.
Based on the texts, how would Ruiz most likely respond to the explanation in Text 1?
She would argue that the evidence from lake sediments and cave formations is unreliable.
She would argue that drought alone cannot account for which cities were abandoned and when, and that political structures also shaped the outcome.
She would contend that cities in wetter areas were abandoned mainly because of flooding.
She would agree that drought was the only significant cause of the collapse.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B
Text 2 accepts that drought "clearly strained" Maya society but notes that the timing of abandonment does not match rainfall patterns. Ruiz adds that rigid political leadership made some cities more vulnerable. She would say drought is part of the story but cannot explain the pattern alone, choice B.
Choice A is tempting because Text 2 disagrees with Text 1, but Text 2 never questions the drought evidence; it accepts that drought occurred.
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