Question

historians long argued that the neolithic revolution followed a strict sequence: the invention of agriculture enabled settlement, which then allowed for complex religious practices. archaeologist klaus schmidt, however, upended this view with his work at göbekli tepe in turkey. finding monumental temple pillars predating local farming, schmidt contended that the need to congregate for sacred rituals was actually the catalyst that forced hunter - gatherers to settle and invent agriculture.
5
mark for review
which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
a it outlines a traditional theoretical framework, presents an archaeological finding that exemplifies it, and summarizes the revised causal hypothesis derived from that finding.
b it describes a longstanding scholarly view, introduces archaeological evidence that challenged that view, and explains the alternative causal sequence proposed by a researcher.
c it presents a traditional academic consensus about the neolithic revolution’s progress, describes contradictory archaeological findings from göbekli tepe, and concludes by offering an explanation reconciling the two perspectives.
d it outlines an established scholarly consensus regarding agriculture and settlement, cites specific evidence prevented the undermining of this consensus, and articulates a new causal model that prompted a researcher towards that evidence.

Explanation:

1. Analyze the text structure: The text first states the long - held view of historians about the Neolithic Revolution (agriculture → settlement → complex religious practices). Then, it introduces archaeologist Klaus Schmidt's work at Göbekli Tepe, which found temple pillars predating farming, challenging the old view. Finally, it explains Schmidt's alternative causal sequence (need for sacred rituals → settlement → agriculture).
2. Evaluate Option A: The archaeological finding at Göbekli Tepe does not exemplify the traditional theoretical framework (it challenges it), so A is incorrect.
3. Evaluate Option B: The text describes the long - standing scholarly view (historians' view), introduces the archaeological evidence (Göbekli Tepe) that challenges it, and explains the alternative causal sequence proposed by Schmidt (the researcher). This matches the text structure.
4. Evaluate Option C: There are no "contradictory archaeological findings" from Göbekli Tepe; it's a single finding that challenges the old view, and the text does not offer an explanation to reconcile the two perspectives. So C is incorrect.
5. Evaluate Option D: The evidence from Göbekli Tepe undermines the old consensus, not prevent it, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. It describes a longstanding scholarly view, introduces archaeological evidence that challenged that view, and explains the alternative causal sequence proposed by a researcher.