Great Zimbabwe

Answer choices

1. A

   Correct92% picked this

   Understanding the basis for the prosperity and social organization of Great Zimbabwe requires an understanding of the dynamics

   Why this is right

   This is not an obvious phrasing of the main point, but it still better captures what we were looking for than any other answer: "the real reason for GZ's prosperity was its complex cattle economy" If you think that X is the main reason that Y occurred, then it's pretty interchangeable to say that "understanding why Y occurred requires understanding X's role".

   Skill tested: Main Point · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

   92%
2. B

   Wrong Causal Explanation1% picked this

   The diversity and abundance of natural resources on the central plateau of southern Africa was responsible for the rise and

   This answer is saying that the real reason for GZ's prosperity was the diversity and abundance of natural resources on the central plateau. We're looking for, "the real reason was their cattle economy / the agricultural basis to their economic system".

   1%
3. C

   Wrong Emphasis: royals' power1% picked this

   The power of the royal class in Great Zimbabwe originally arose from their ownership of the croplands that

   This makes the central question of the passage seem like it was, "Where did the royal class in Great Zimbabwe get its power from?" But the central question of the passage was, "Why did Great Zimbabwe have such notable prosperity?" Furthermore, the answer to the question "where did the royal class get its power" would be "by controlling the cattle economy", not "by owning the croplands".

   1%
4. D

   Wrong Causal Explanation1% picked this

   Great Zimbabwe’s economic system rested upon the twin pillars of gold mining and

   We're looking for, "the real reason Great Zimbabwe was prosperous was their cattle economy / the agricultural basis to their economic system". This is saying, "the real reason Great Zimbabwe was prosperous was gold mining and the import-export trade." Not only does this fail to mention the agricultural cattle-based economy that the author highlights as the causal difference-maker, but it also seems to give credence to the author's enemy. The position the author is challenging thought that "gold mining" was the primary causal factor accounting for GZ's success.

   1%
5. E

   Contradicted: communal ownership7% picked this

   The communal nature of cattle ownership in Great Zimbabwe was largely responsible for the relative prosperity of both laborers

   This is in the neighborhood of the right gist. It is crediting cattle for being the main causal factor in prosperity. But this says that there was communal cattle ownership. This seems to contradict the final sentence of the 2nd paragraph, which says that cattle were "the property of a ruling class". Ordinary people could be given use of cattle as an act of good standing with the royals. Or they would be given cattle in return for taking on the risk of gold mining for the royals. But it's wrong to say that the cattle were owned by the whole community. The passage is saying that the ruling class controlled the cattle and used it as leverage to maintain influence over their subjects.

   7%