SAT OwlQuestion bank / Cross-Text Connections
Text 1: In 2018, researchers reported that red markings on the walls of three caves in Spain were at least 64,000 years old. Because modern humans are not thought to have reached Europe until roughly 20,000 years later, the team concluded that the markings were made by Neanderthals, suggesting that Neanderthals were capable of symbolic thought.
Text 2: Some archaeologists have questioned the age of the Spanish cave markings. The researchers dated thin mineral crusts that formed over the paint, but critics argue that this dating method can give ages that are too old if water has washed away some of the uranium in the crusts. If the markings are significantly younger, the critics note, modern humans could have made them.
Based on the texts, the researchers in Text 1 and the critics in Text 2 would most likely agree with which statement?
The markings in the Spanish caves were certainly made by Neanderthals.
The method used to date the markings is not subject to error.
Whether Neanderthals made the markings depends largely on how old the markings are.
Modern humans reached Europe much earlier than scientists had thought.
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C
The researchers in Text 1 credit Neanderthals because the markings are older than modern humans' arrival in Europe. The critics in Text 2 say that if the markings are younger, modern humans could have made them. Both sides treat the markings' age as the deciding factor, choice C.
Choice A is Text 1's conclusion, but the critics in Text 2 doubt it, so the two groups would not agree on it.
Why the other choices are wrong
- A. The critics in Text 2 explicitly doubt this conclusion by suggesting modern humans could have made the markings if they are younger.
- B. Text 2 states that the dating method can produce ages that are too old, which directly contradicts the claim that it is error-free.
- D. Neither text suggests that modern humans arrived earlier. Text 1 maintains the 20,000-year gap, and Text 2 only questions the age of the markings.
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