Question

read the excerpt from \benin plaque: the oba with europeans.\ many wild theories were put forward. it was thought that the plaques must have come from ancient egypt, or perhaps that the people of benin were one of the lost tribes of israel. or the sculptures must have derived from european influence (after all, these were the contemporaries of michelangelo, donatello and cellini). but research quickly established that the benin plaques were entirely west african creations, made without european influence. the europeans had to revisit, and to overhaul, their assumptions of easy cultural superiority. which central idea is best supported by the details in the excerpt? ∘ europeans believed that the benin plaques were inferior to european art. ∘ the benin plaques challenged europeans’ beliefs about west africa. ∘ the benin plaques were copied by many famous european artists. ∘ europeans traveled to west africa to purchase more benin plaques.

Explanation:

• Analyze Option 1: The excerpt shows Europeans had to change their assumptions of cultural superiority, so they didn't think Benin plaques were inferior. Eliminate this.
• Analyze Option 2: The excerpt says Europeans had wild theories (like plaques from Egypt, lost tribes, or European influence) but research showed they were West African creations, forcing Europeans to revisit their beliefs about West Africa. This matches.
• Analyze Option 3: The excerpt doesn't mention European artists copying the plaques. Eliminate this.
• Analyze Option 4: The excerpt has no info about Europeans traveling to West Africa to purchase more plaques. Eliminate this.

Answer:

B. The Benin plaques challenged Europeans’ beliefs about West Africa.