Reading Comprehension

PT146 · S4 · P3 · Q15 Clay Tokens

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Hundreds of clay tablets marked in cuneiform have been found in excavations of the Sumerian city of Uruk (in present-day Iraq).

Topic

The origins and evolution of writing in ancient Mesopotamia, focusing on how clay tokens led to abstract cuneiform writing.

Framework

Theme / Example

Main Point

Ancient clay tokens served as precursors to written language in Mesopotamia, and over time, this token system transformed into increasingly abstract and flexible writing forms like cuneiform. The Most Valuable Sentence: The passage’s main point is neatly summed up in the transition of tokens to written marks—especially the lines, (Paragraph 3)

P1: Discovery of Early Writing and the Puzzle of Abstract Symbols

Researchers find ancient clay tablets from Uruk, dated around 3000 B.C., with abstract, non-pictorial cuneiform writing—which is unusual for such an early date. Archaeologists often ignored even older clay tokens found nearby, but Denise Schmandt-Besserat argues these tokens were actually early precursors to writing.

P2: Description and Evolution of Tokens into Record-Keeping

Early tokens were simple in shape and sometimes inscribed, later found inside sealed "envelope" tablets. These inscribed tokens probably served as records of agricultural contributions to temples. After 4000 B.C., more sophisticated token shapes appeared, reflecting increased complexity in crafts and record-keeping.

P3: Transition from Token System to Written Language

Eventually, the system shifted from three-dimensional tokens to marks on clay tablets (about 3100 B.C.), allowing for record-keeping using drawn symbols instead of physical tokens. This evolved into full-fledged writing, with separate signs for numerals, objects, and even abstract ideas—leading to a more flexible and advanced written language system.

15.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the main point of the passage?

Correct
Based on her analysis of
Why this is right
The main clause here is that Schmandt-Besserat concludes that this system of tokens eventually evolved into an abstract written language. That seems like what we were looking for. At the end of the first paragraph, we hear the thesis of the book summarized as "Schmandt-Besserat identifies these tokens as overlooked predecessors to the written word". At the very end of the passage, Schmandt-Besserat is saying, "Check it out -- with these three signs, an abstract and flexible written form had arrived!" Since the main clause is solid, we would verify the details of the warm-up clause, but it looks accurate. She analyzed clay envelopes that date back to 4000 B.C.
Skill tested: Main Point · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.
74% picked this
The discovery of clay tablets
Wrong Emphasis / Too Narrow
The main clause here is The discovery of clay tablets confirms the belief of Schmandt-Besserat that these tokens served to designate the products given by villagers. That's not the main takeaway. She didn't write her book to say, "Check it out, world -- these tokens really DID serve to designate the products given by villagers to their temples". That was a small idea from the 2nd paragraph. The big idea is, "Check it out, world -- these tokens might be our earliest example yet of people developing a written language!"
1% picked this
Inscription-bearing clay envelopes containing tokens
Out of Scope: puzzlement over crafts
The main clause here is The clay envelopes have provided Schmandt-Besserat with evidence needed to resolve the puzzlement of archaeologists over the sudden appearance of sophisticated crafts. The passage never says that any archaeologists are puzzled at the sudden appearance of sophisticated crafts. We are told that they have long been puzzled by the "seemingly sudden appearance of such abstract writing" as that found on the clay tablets found in Uruk.
5% picked this
The inscriptions found on clay
Unsupported Causal Claim: evolved into modern
The main clause here is The inscriptions on the clay envelopes have enabled Schmandt-Besserat to formulate a more detailed picture of the way in which a simple system of 3D nouns evolved into modern languages. That's fairly close to the right main point. It's weird to say that the clay tablets enabled "a more detailed" picture, because nothing in the passage suggests that there was already a picture developed that this is refining. The passage seemed to be saying, "She thinks she just discovered the earlier example of written language!" But the most offending part of this answer is the notion that this simple system of 3D nouns evolved into modern languages. We have no support for that causal claim. Modern languages might have evolved from a totally different starting point. The passage is merely saying that this may be the earliest example of anything resembling a written language.
19% picked this
The discovery of inscription-bearing clay
Unsupported Causality: crafts affect language
The main clause here is The discovery of clay envelopes confirms Schmandt-Besserat's hypothesis that a language becomes increasingly abstract as the arts and crafts become more abstract. The passage never insinuated this causal connection that as crafts become more abstract, it causes the language to become more abstract. In fact, the passage never even talks about crafts becoming more abstract. It just talks about them becoming more diverse and sophisticated. Schmandt-Besserat's discovery/hypothesis is simply, "The stuff these guys were doing with these clay envelopes is basically an abstract and flexible written language!"
1% picked this

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