v.

Logically Completes the Text

Strategy #1: Do not Cut Corners; Read the Entire Text to Start
You should annotate on the text or on your scrap paper, putting what the author is saying into
your own words.

Strategy #2: Look for a Contrast Statement

The contrast statement is very important because it denotes a shift from an old thought to a
new thought.

Typically, you will base your logical conclusion on the new thought, which comes in the
contrast statement!

Progress Check! What are some contrast words? List 5.

1. ____________________________________

2. ____________________________________

3. ____________________________________

4. ______________________________________

5. ______________________________________-

Most Logically Completes the Texts are structured the following way:
(1) Intro: What is this text about
—> (2) Original Argument: What did they used to think/argue
—> (3) New Argument: What are new findings/beliefs that go against the old
—> (4) Your own logical conclusion based on the new argument

Tip: Very often, the key information will appear very close to the blank, the earlier part of
the passage serving primarily to provide background for the argument.

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Strategy #3: Put the New (Contrast) Argument into Your Own Words
This helps you understand the argument better so you can draw the best logical conclusion.

Strategy #4: Use Process of Elimination to Weed out Silly Answers

__________________________________________________________________________________

Exercise #1: Mark where you see the old idea and the new idea in the text? Then, sum
them up in your own words.

Sometime near the end of the Pleistocene, a band of people left northeastern Asia,
crossed the Bering land bridge when the sea level was low, entered
Alaska and became the first Americans. Since the 1930s, archaeologists have thought
these people were members of the Clovis culture. First discovered in New Mexico in
the 1930s, the Clovis culture is known for its distinct stone tools, primarily fluted
projectile points. For decades, Clovis artifacts were the oldest known in the New
World, dating to 13,000 years ago. But in recent years, researchers have found more
and more evidence that people were living in North and South America before the
Clovis.

Old Idea:

New Idea:

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Exercise #2: Identify the old idea and the new idea, sum them up in your own words,
then eliminate answers that you find to be irrelevant and answer the question.

Most grocery stores spray produce with water on a regular basis in order to ensure that they
maintain a wholesome, fresh-picked appearance. However, according to Martin Lindstrom,
author of Brandwashed: Tricks Companies Use to Manipulate Our Minds and Persuade Us to
Buy, not only does this liquid lack any practical purpose, but it actually has a deleterious effect:
__

Old Idea:

New Idea:

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) shoppers are unlikely to purchase fruits and vegetables that appear dry and
withered.
B) moisture causes picked vegetables to spoil more quickly than they otherwise
would.
C) certain vegetables lose some of their nutrients when they are boiled.
D) produce must be watered at predictable intervals in order to appeal to
consumers

Answer and explanation on next page..

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The answer to that last example was B. The key phrase occurs right before the blank: not
only does the liquid [used to water fresh produce] lack any practical purpose, but it also has a
deleterious (negative] effect. The information that follows must logically explain that effect.

Why the others are wrong:

A) the fact that shoppers are unlikely to select produce in poor condition is irrelevant to this
section of the passage.

(C) is incorrect because the passage focuses only on the effects of water on uncooked
vegetables.

(D) incorrectly states a positive effect of watering produce. (opposite of text)

Now, let’s try a few more…

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Exercise #3: Try these 3 practice questions below. Then, check the answers that follow.

Practice Question 1

Physicists have yet to figure out what exactly happens at the singularity of a black
hole: matter is crushed, but what becomes of it then? The event horizon, by hiding the
singularity, isolates this gap in our knowledge. All kinds of processes unknown to
science may occur at the singularity, yet they have no effect on the outside world.
Astronomers plotting the orbits of planets and stars can safely ignore the uncertainties

introduced by singularities and ____.

Old Idea:

New Idea:

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) apply the standard laws of physics with confidence.

B) focus on gaining a deeper understanding of black holes.
C) attempt to peer behind the event horizon.
D) uncover phenomena not currently known to science.

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Practice Question 2

Although it is widely assumed that cognitive bias clouds our assessment of the people
around us, their research and that of others, a group of researchers at the Santa Fe
Institute has found that people's estimations of what their friends and family believe
are often largely correct. That's because as highly social creatures, we have become
very good at sizing up those around us- what researchers call "social sensing." It is

therefore possible _ _

Old Idea:

New Idea:

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) to gather highly accurate information about trends by asking about individuals

about their social circles rather than their own beliefs.
B) to determine people's views on a variety of topics by analyzing the ways in
which they interact with others.
C) to discover what people truly believe about an issue by asking them to reflect on
their personal biases.
D) to develop an algorithm that reliably predicts people's preferences about a wide
range of items.

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Practice Question 3 - What if there is no contrast statement?

Exactly how Mars was formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago is a mystery,
although there are several theories. One idea is that the planet was created via a titanic
collision of rocks in space, spawning an all-encompassing magma ocean. When it
cooled, a crust with high levels of basalt was formed. Another possibility is that parts
of the first crust on Mars had a different origin, one that would primarily show large
concentrations of silica. Planetary geochemist Valerie Payre and her partners analyzed
data for the planet's southern hemisphere, the planet's oldest region. They discovered
nine locations rich in feldspar, a mineral associated with lava flows that are higher in
silica than basalt. This finding led them to conclude that __________.

Stay organized, annotating and summing up what you’ve read!

Idea #1 of How Mars Was Formed:

Idea #2 of How Mars Was Formed:

Researchers discovery:

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) portions of Mars' surface were never covered by a crust.

B) the magma ocean formed from rocks colliding in space was not
all-encompassing.
C) the southern hemisphere of Mars contained more silica than was previously
believed.
D) the first crust on Mars did not develop until long after the planet was formed.

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Answers

1. A
2. A
3. B

Answer explanations:

1. The second-to-last sentence includes the transition yet, which indicates key
information: although singularities may involve all sorts of mysterious processes, they
have no real-world effect. Thus, scientists can ignore them. The correct answer must
restate or be consistent with this idea. (A) is correct because if singularities don't have
an effect, then scientists can treat everything as normal and apply the usual laws of
physics. (B) is unrelated to the required idea, and (C) and (D) both contradict the idea of
ignoring puzzling aspects of black holes and maintaining the existing scientific
framework.

2. This is a good example of a question in which the answer is very nearly stated in the
passage. The text makes clear that people are generally pretty accurate in identifying
the beliefs of their friends and family members, so logically it must be possible to
gather accurate information about trends by asking individuals what the people close to
them think rather than what they themselves think-which is exactly what (A) says. (B) is
incorrect because the passage focuses on beliefs, not interactions. (C) says exactly the
opposite of what is indicated by the passage-reliable information can be obtained by
asking people about others, not themselves. (D) goes way beyond the scope of the
passage, which does not discuss the role of technology in determining people's
preferences at all.

3. This is a complicated question, so we're going to break it down into parts. Notice that
the process outlined here requires you to work backwards through the passage. First,
what is the finding? That nine regions of Mars were rich in feldspar, which is associated
with lava flows that are higher in silica than basalt. What is the significance of this
finding? It supports the theory that parts of the first crust on Mars had a different origin.
A different origin from what? From the all-encompassing magma ocean that was
created from rocks colliding in space. Logically, if parts of the crust were formed from
something other than the magma ocean, then the ocean could not have been

152
all-encompassing (covering everything). And that is what (B) says. (A) is incorrect
because the passage only discusses the origins of the first crust that did exist on
Mars-there is nothing to suggest that there were places without a crust. (C) is incorrect
because the passage indicates only that feldspar, which is found in Mars's southern
hemisphere, is higher in silica than basalt. The passage does not indicate how much
silica researchers previously believed was present. (D) does not work either because
the passage only mentions that Mars was formed around 4.5 billion years ago and the
southern hemisphere is Mars's oldest region - there is no mention of when the crust
formed, and the amount of feldspar and silica in that area is not discussed in relation to
any particular timeline.

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Logically Completes the Text Practice Drill

1. Several ancient Egyptian murals depict a male figure standing next to a river,
surrounded by a variety of animals. Some historians argue that the figure is the god
Osiris, given that he is traditionally associated with the Nile River. However, Dr. Emily
Thompson from the University of Cambridge argues that rivers and animals were
commonly used symbols for prosperity in ancient Egyptian art. The fact that animals
and a river are shown near the male figure, therefore, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) is not conclusive evidence that the figure is Osiris.

B) suggests that Osiris was often depicted with animals.
C) eliminates the possibility that the figure is Osiris.
D) would be difficult to account for if the figure is not Osiris.

2. Many of Jane Austen's novels focus on the intricacies of social relationships and the
challenges women face within the constraints of their societies. For example, "Pride
and Prejudice" delves into issues of class, reputation, and love, themes that remain
relevant to today's readers. However, understanding Austen's "Mansfield Park" can
require a deep knowledge of the social and economic intricacies of 19th-century
England. Consequently, _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) many readers today are likely to find "Mansfield Park" less engaging than novels
like "Pride and Prejudice."
B) some of Austen's novels are more relevant to today’s readers than contemporary
works.
C) "Pride and Prejudice" is the most accessible of all Austen's novels.
D) experts in 19th-century English history tend to prefer "Mansfield Park" to her other
works.

154
3. The Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's oldest civilizations, flourished
around 3300 B.C.E. in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. This civilization
mysteriously declined around 1900 B.C.E., leaving behind intricate urban centers with
advanced sewage systems. Recent analysis comparing pottery shards from
Mohenjo-Daro, a significant city in the Indus Valley, to pottery found in a settlement in
what is now eastern Iran revealed identical manufacturing techniques, with similarities
becoming prominent only after 1950 B.C.E. Thus, researchers concluded that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was primarily due to internal conflicts.
B) some people from the Indus Valley likely migrated to eastern Iran around 1900
B.C.E. and brought their pottery techniques with them.
C) residents of eastern Iran primarily used metal utensils and did not make pottery
before 1950 B.C.E.
D) the Indus Valley Civilization likely adopted pottery manufacturing techniques from
civilizations in eastern Iran.

4. One challenge when studying the long-term effects of a new medication is the issue
of creating an appropriate placebo group. To properly gauge the medication's
effectiveness, researchers must compare the group taking the medication to a placebo
group that is otherwise similar but not taking the medication. Since researchers cannot
ethically assign patients to a placebo group if an effective treatment already exists,
they therefore _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) find it easy to create a placebo group consisting of individuals who are already on
existing medications.
B) struggle to identify a group of people who can function as an appropriate placebo
group for their studies.
C) can only conduct studies on diseases or conditions for which no effective treatments
exist.
D) should select a placebo group of people who differ from the medication group in
several significant ways.

155
5. Adopted by multiple nations, the Blue Ocean Accord aims to regulate deep-sea
mining activities to protect marine biodiversity. However, critics point out a flaw: the
accord allows companies to keep the specifics of their environmental impact
assessments confidential. Therefore, some environmental activists express concern
that the accord may have the unintended effect of ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) reducing the operational costs for companies engaged in deep-sea mining.

B) limiting the types of technology that can be used in deep-sea mining.
C) preventing third-party experts from verifying the ecological impact of the mining
activities.
D) discouraging companies from exploring new, less harmful mining techniques.

6. The domesticated corn (Zea mays) is native to Central America but is also found in
Asia, where evidence shows that local populations were cultivating it long before
transoceanic voyages were established between the two regions. To understand how
corn was introduced in Asia, geneticist Emily Wang and her team analyzed the DNA of
various corn varieties, concluding that Asian varieties diverged from Central American
ones around 70,000 years ago. Given that historical records show the presence of
humans in Asia for much longer, the team concluded that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) the cultivation of corn in Asia likely predates its cultivation in Central America.
B) Asian populations likely acquired corn from Central American populations through
ancient sea voyages.
C) human activity likely played no role in the introduction of corn in Asia.
D) Asian corn varieties likely descend from a single Central American variety that was
domesticated, not wild.

156
7. In a study evaluating the problem-solving abilities of African grey parrots (Psittacus
erithacus), researchers did not control for the varying complexity of the puzzles used to
test the birds. Parrots given simple puzzles, such as pushing a button to release food,
were assessed using the same criteria as those given complex puzzles, like opening a
series of locks to get to a treat. The results of the study, therefore, ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) could suggest that there are differences in problem-solving abilities among the
parrots even though such differences may not actually exist.
B) are useful for identifying puzzles that the parrots can solve but not for identifying
puzzles they find challenging.
C) should not be taken as indicative of the problem-solving abilities of any bird species
other than Psittacus erithacus.
D) reveal more about the parrots' problem-solving abilities when engaging with
human-made objects than when solving natural problems.

8. Among many mammals, including cats and dogs, newborns show a tendency to
follow moving objects with their eyes. In a study led by researcher Dr. Emily Clark, a
team investigated whether this behavior is also exhibited by newborn reptiles, focusing
on the chameleon species Chamaeleo calyptratus. Despite chameleons being primarily
solitary animals with limited social interactions, the study found that chameleon
hatchlings displayed a pronounced tendency to track moving objects with their eyes.
This suggests that ______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) eye-tracking behavior in mammals is a learned trait influenced by the social

environment.
B) researchers should not automatically attribute eye-tracking behavior to socialization
or communal living.
C) the behavior of tracking moving objects with their eyes will likely diminish as
chameleons mature.
D) this tendency is a universal trait among all vertebrates, regardless of their lifestyle.

157
9. Compiled in the 12th century, "The Book of Healing" is a comprehensive scientific
and philosophical encyclopedia written by Persian polymath Avicenna. The text serves
as a record of knowledge in various scientific fields, such as astronomy, medicine, and
psychology, available at that time. However, some chapters in the book contain
concepts that seem to be borrowed from Greek philosophers and scientists, such as
Aristotle and Galen, rather than stemming from Persian intellectual traditions.
Therefore, some scholars have concluded that _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) "The Book of Healing" is essentially a translation of Greek scientific works into

Persian.
B) although Avicenna was a Persian scholar, he was influenced by Greek philosophers
and scientists when compiling "The Book of Healing."
C) the book should be credited to Greek philosophers as it mainly contains their ideas
and concepts.
D) Avicenna likely had limited knowledge of Persian scientific traditions when
compiling "The Book of Healing."

10. In modern astrophysics, the use of computational models has become increasingly
important for simulating scenarios that cannot be physically replicated, such as the
formation of galaxies or the collision of black holes. Astrophysicist Dr. Sara Ruiz argues
that while these models can offer valuable insights, they are often based on a set of
simplified assumptions that may not capture the full complexity of real-world
phenomena. For the results to be truly robust, it is crucial to _______

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) ignore the limitations of computational models, as they are the best tools available
for understanding complex astrophysical events.
B) focus solely on refining the algorithms that underlie these computational models.
C) test the models against a variety of scenarios, including those that challenge the
underlying assumptions.
D) limit the use of computational models to phenomena that can be observed directly
through telescopes.

158
11. One of the most startling discoveries of the early 21st century was that
Inda-European languages seem not to have been spread by Anatolian farmers living in
what is now Turkey, as was commonly thought, but rather by a people called the
Yamnaya, horse-herding nomads who lived on the Eurasian steppes more than 5,000
years ago. A host of linguistic evidence suggesting this possibility was first compiled
persuasively by archaeologist David Anthony in 2007; DNA evidence later proved he
was on target, showing that ________.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) members of tribes from the steppes arrived in Germany sometime between

2500 and 2000 BCE.
B) the Yamnaya were a genetic blend of three separate Eurasian populations.
C) around 5,000 years ago, the Yamnaya's genes began to appear throughout
Europe and
Asia .
D) the Yamnayans were linguistically unique in comparison to other groups from
the same period.

12. When Isaac Newton published the Principia in 1687, his laws of motion solved
numerous problems in physics; however, they also introduced a new conundrum, which
was not fully grasped until centuries after Newton and which still poses a problem for
cosmologists today. Essentially, Newton's laws work about twice as well as they are
intended: they describe the everyday world that people move through, but they also
account perfectly well for a world in which people walk backwards, clocks tick from

evening to morning, and ____.

Which choice most logically completes the text?

A) objects interact unpredictably with one another.

B) planets that are in motion remain in motion.
C) particles of different weights move at varying speeds.
D) apples rise from the ground to the branches of a tree.

159
Logically Completes the Text Practice Answers

1. A

The passage discusses how some historians believe that the male figure in the ancient
Egyptian murals is Osiris, due to his association with the Nile River. However, Dr. Emily
Thompson presents an alternative explanation that rivers and animals are common
symbols for prosperity in ancient Egyptian art. This suggests that the presence of
animals and a river near the figure does not necessarily mean the figure is Osiris,
making option A the most logical choice.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

B) suggests that Osiris was often depicted with animals.

● The passage does not provide information to support the idea that Osiris was
frequently depicted with animals. The focus is on whether the presence of
animals and a river can definitively identify the figure as Osiris.

C) eliminates the possibility that the figure is Osiris.

● Dr. Thompson's argument does not eliminate the possibility that the figure is
Osiris; it merely suggests that there are alternative explanations for the
symbolism in the mural.

D) would be difficult to account for if the figure is not Osiris.

● Dr. Thompson's argument actually provides an alternative explanation (that

rivers and animals symbolize prosperity), making it not difficult to account for
the scene if the figure is not Osiris.

2. A
The passage contrasts the general and timeless themes of social relationships and challenges
women face in Jane Austen's novels, exemplified by "Pride and Prejudice," with the more

160
specific historical and social context required to fully understand "Mansfield Park." This
suggests that modern readers might find novels like "Pride and Prejudice" more engaging
because they don't require specialized knowledge of 19th-century England. Consequently,
option A is the most logical choice to complete the text.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

B) some of Austen's novels are more relevant to today’s readers than contemporary works.

● The passage does state that the themes in Austen's novels like "Pride and Prejudice"
are still relevant, but it does not make a comparison with contemporary works.

C) "Pride and Prejudice" is the most accessible of all Austen's novels.

● The passage does use "Pride and Prejudice" as an example, but it does not say that it is
the most accessible among all of Austen's novels.

D) experts in 19th-century English history tend to prefer "Mansfield Park" to her other works.

● The passage doesn't mention the preferences of experts in 19th-century English

history; it focuses on the general accessibility of Austen’s works to today’s readers.

3. B
The passage discusses the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization around 1900 B.C.E. and
mentions that similarities in pottery manufacturing techniques between Mohenjo-Daro and a
settlement in eastern Iran became prominent only after 1950 B.C.E. This suggests that there
was likely a movement of people—and their pottery techniques—from the Indus Valley to
eastern Iran around the time of the decline, which is directly supported by option B.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization was primarily due to internal conflicts.

● The passage doesn't discuss the reasons for the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization.

161
C) residents of eastern Iran primarily used metal utensils and did not make pottery before 1950

B.C.E.

● While it's implied that the pottery similarities appeared after 1950 B.C.E., there's no
evidence to support the claim that residents in eastern Iran did not make pottery before
that time.

D) the Indus Valley Civilization likely adopted pottery manufacturing techniques from

civilizations in eastern Iran.

● The passage discusses similarities in pottery becoming prominent only after 1950
B.C.E., suggesting a movement from the Indus Valley to eastern Iran rather than the
adoption of techniques from eastern Iran.

4. B
The passage outlines the ethical constraints in selecting a placebo group when an effective
treatment already exists for the condition being studied. This makes it difficult for researchers
to find a group that is otherwise similar to those taking the medication but isn't taking the
medication themselves. Therefore, option B most logically completes the text, stating that
researchers will find it difficult to identify an appropriate placebo group under these conditions.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) find it easy to create a placebo group consisting of individuals who are already on existing
medications.

● The passage states that it's ethically problematic to assign patients to a placebo group
if an effective treatment exists, making it unlikely that it would be "easy" to create such
a group.

C) can only conduct studies on diseases or conditions for which no effective treatments exist.

● While it would be easier to assign a placebo group for conditions without effective
treatments, the passage does not state that researchers can only conduct studies in
such cases.

162
D) should select a placebo group of people who differ from the medication group in several
significant ways.

● This contradicts the requirement that the placebo group should be "otherwise similar"
to the medication group, as stated in the passage.

5. C
The passage discusses the Blue Ocean Accord, which aims to regulate deep-sea mining to
protect marine biodiversity. However, a flaw is pointed out: the accord allows companies to
keep their environmental impact assessments confidential. Given this information, the most
logical unintended effect would be that the confidentiality could prevent independent experts
from verifying the ecological impact of the mining activities, as stated in option C.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) reducing the operational costs for companies engaged in deep-sea mining.

● The passage doesn't suggest that the accord has an impact on operational costs for
companies.

B) limiting the types of technology that can be used in deep-sea mining.

● The passage doesn't indicate that the accord limits the types of technology that can be
used for mining.

D) discouraging companies from exploring new, less harmful mining techniques.

● The focus of the accord is on regulating mining to protect biodiversity, not on

encouraging or discouraging particular mining techniques. Therefore, this option doesn't
logically follow from the passage.

6. C
The passage states that Asian varieties of corn diverged from Central American ones around
70,000 years ago, but humans have been present in Asia for much longer. This temporal

163
discrepancy suggests that humans could not have been responsible for introducing corn to
Asia, making option C the most logical conclusion.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) the cultivation of corn in Asia likely predates its cultivation in Central America.

● The text states that corn is native to Central America, making it unlikely that its
cultivation in Asia predates its cultivation in Central America.

B) Asian populations likely acquired corn from Central American populations through ancient
sea voyages.

● The DNA analysis suggests that the Asian varieties diverged from the Central American
ones around 70,000 years ago, which contradicts the idea of acquisition through ancient
sea voyages.

D) Asian corn varieties likely descend from a single Central American variety that was
domesticated, not wild.

● The passage does not provide information to support the claim that the Asian varieties
descend from a single, domesticated Central American variety.

7. A
The passage indicates that the study didn't control for the varying complexity of the puzzles
when evaluating the problem-solving abilities of the parrots. This could lead to erroneous
conclusions, making it seem like parrots given simpler puzzles have better problem-solving
abilities, while those given complex puzzles appear to have worse abilities. This means that
any observed differences in problem-solving ability might be due to the varying complexity of
the tasks rather than to actual differences in cognitive skills among the parrots. Therefore,
option A is the most logical conclusion.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

B) are useful for identifying puzzles that the parrots can solve but not for identifying puzzles
they find challenging.

164
 ● The passage doesn't suggest that the results are useful for identifying either type of
puzzle. It focuses on the problem with comparing problem-solving abilities based on
puzzles of different complexities.

C) should not be taken as indicative of the problem-solving abilities of any bird species other
than Psittacus erithacus.

● The focus of the passage is on the study's methodology and how it affects the
interpretation of the African grey parrots' abilities, not on the generalizability to other
bird species.

D) reveal more about the parrots' problem-solving abilities when engaging with human-made
objects than when solving natural problems.

● The passage doesn't compare human-made objects to natural problems; it focuses on

the different complexities of the puzzles used in the study.

8. B
The study found that chameleon hatchlings, despite being primarily solitary animals with
limited social interactions, also display the eye-tracking behavior seen in social mammals. This
suggests that the behavior may not be strictly related to socialization or communal living.
Therefore, option B most logically completes the text by emphasizing the need for caution in
attributing this behavior solely to social factors.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) eye-tracking behavior in mammals is a learned trait influenced by the social environment.

● The study actually shows that even in a non-social species (chameleons), the behavior
is present, indicating that it might not be a learned trait influenced by socialization.

C) the behavior of tracking moving objects with their eyes will likely diminish as chameleons
mature.

● The text does not provide information on how this behavior changes as the chameleons
mature, making this option speculative and unsupported.

165
D) this tendency is a universal trait among all vertebrates, regardless of their lifestyle.

● While the study extends our knowledge to include a certain species of reptile, it does
not provide enough evidence to conclude that this is a universal trait among all
vertebrates.

9. B

The passage states that "The Book of Healing" is a comprehensive scientific and philosophical
encyclopedia written by Persian polymath Avicenna. It covers various scientific fields and
serves as a record of the knowledge available at that time. However, the passage also notes
that some chapters contain concepts borrowed from Greek philosophers like Aristotle and
Galen. The logical conclusion, then, is that while Avicenna was a Persian scholar, he was
influenced by Greek thought when compiling his work. Therefore, option B most logically
completes the text.

Why Other Choices Are Incorrect:

A) "The Book of Healing" is essentially a translation of Greek scientific works into Persian.

● The passage notes that the book is a comprehensive encyclopedia covering a range of
subjects, suggesting that it is not merely a translation of Greek works.

C) the book should be credited to Greek philosophers as it mainly contains their ideas and
concepts.

● This statement is too strong; the passage only says that some chapters seem to borrow
from Greek philosophers, not that the entire book consists mainly of Greek ideas.

D) Avicenna likely had limited knowledge of Persian scientific traditions when compiling "The
Book of Healing."

● The passage does not provide information to suggest that Avicenna had limited
knowledge of Persian scientific traditions. He was a Persian polymath, and the book
serves as a record of the knowledge of that time, which suggests that he was
well-versed in various fields, likely including Persian traditions.

166
10. C

● The text suggests that computational models in astrophysics often rely on simplified
assumptions, implying that these models could be flawed or incomplete.
● Dr. Sara Ruiz argues for the importance of recognizing this limitation and indicates that
for the models to be "truly robust," a particular approach should be taken.

Option C is correct because it addresses this concern directly. Testing the models against a
variety of scenarios, especially those that challenge the assumptions, would provide a more
robust and reliable result, aligning with Dr. Ruiz's argument.

Why the other choices are incorrect:

● A) suggests ignoring the limitations, which contradicts Dr. Ruiz's argument that
acknowledging and dealing with these limitations is crucial.
● B) focuses only on refining algorithms, but the text suggests that the issue lies in the
simplified assumptions, not necessarily the algorithms themselves.
● D) suggests limiting the use of models to directly observable phenomena, which
ignores the initial point that computational models are used precisely because some
phenomena cannot be directly observed.

11. C

The statement immediately before the blank indicates that David Anthony was on target, so
the blank must refer to evidence supporting his theory. What was Anthony's theory? That
Inda-European languages were spread by the Yamnaya, horse-herding nomads who lived on
the Eurasian steppes more than 5,000 years ago. Note that to identify this information, you
must essentially back up to the beginning of the passage-the phrase this possibility in the last
(second) sentence refers to an idea described in the previous (first) sentence, and there is no
way to make sense out of the passage without knowing what that idea is. The correct answer
must support it with information indicating that the Yamnaya moved throughout the regions,
plural, where Inda-European languages became established. (A) focuses on Germany, which is
only one area, so it can be eliminated. (B) is off-topic-the Yamnaya's genetic roots are irrelevant
to the argument. (D) does not fit because the correct answer must involve the Yamnaya's
migration and its eventual effects. Even though this option mentions the Yamnaya's language,
it does not mention how its influence was spread. Only (C) contains that information: if "the

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Yamnaya's genes appeared throughout Europe and Asia," these people must have been
present in many regions, hence the spread of their language.

12. D

The first two examples in the list describe situations in which things run backwards, so
logically, the final item in the list must describe a normal occurrence that is reversed. Objects
interacting unpredictably; planets remaining in motion; and particles of different weights
moving at varying speeds are not examples of a phenomenon running backwards. Only apples
rising back to a tree, rather than falling from one, illustrates the required idea. (D) is thus
correct.

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