Digital SAT® Practice Test 1: Reading and Writing Module 2 (Hard): Question 10 Explanation

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the historian’s claim?

His excavation method has been a subject of debate among scholars, as he sometimes used explosives to quickly clear away earth materials at the sites.
The excavation sites contained a significant amount of information about the culture and history of the Bronze Age civilizations in the region.
Since the discovery, an overwhelming number of tourists have visited the sites, boosting local business revenues in the region.
Before his archaeological career, Schliemann had made a successful living as a businessman, which allowed him to finance the excavations with his personal wealth.

Answer:

Explanation

Heinrich Schliemann, who discovered the cities of Troy and Mycenae, was a self-taught archaeologist and is regarded as one of the most important figures in the field of ancient archaeology. In an interview with a documentary producer, a historian claims that Schliemann’s discovery has had an undeniable economic impact—the countries where the excavations took place have experienced a surge in commercial and financial activity.

Choice C is the best answer. The historian claims that the countries where Schliemann's excavations took place experienced a surge in commercial and financial activity. If an overwhelming number of tourists boosted local business revenues in the region, then that would support the historian's claim.

Choice A: The methods Schliemann used for excavation are not discussed in the text.

Choice B: The historian's claim is about Schliemann's economic impact after his discovery, not what the discovery revealed.

Choice D: The historian's claim makes no reference to Schliemann's previous career or how his excavations were financed.

✨ Expert's Tip ✨

Identify what the economic impact involved (“... a surge in commercial and financial activity.”). Then, choose the finding that best illustrates it.

Digital SAT Reading and Writing Test 5 Question 10

Explanation

✨ Expert's Tip ✨