GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningMedium
A recent archaeological dig unearthed artifacts suggesting that the ancient civilization, previously thought to be isolated, engaged in extensive trade networks, indicating a far more ______ culture than historians had assumed.
- Acosmopolitan
- Bparochial
- Cinsular
- Dautarkic
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. cosmopolitan
The sentence contrasts the previous assumption that the civilization was 'isolated' with new evidence of 'extensive trade networks.' Isolation implies a narrow, self-contained culture. 'Extensive trade networks' suggests interaction with many different places and cultures. 'Cosmopolitan' means familiar with and at ease in many different countries and cultures, which directly contrasts 'isolated' and aligns with 'extensive trade networks.'
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Parochial means having a limited or narrow outlook or scope, which is similar to 'isolated'.
- C. Insular means ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience, which is synonymous with 'isolated'.
- D. Autarkic means economically self-sufficient, which is a form of isolation, not a contrast.
Antonym/Opposing Concept
This concept involves identifying a word that is the direct opposite or provides a strong contrast to a previously stated characteristic, especially when new evidence reverses an old assumption.
- Look for indicators of reversal or contrast (e.g., 'previously thought to be', 'indicating a far more... than assumed').
- Identify the original characteristic (e.g., 'isolated').
- Find a word that describes the opposite of the original characteristic, supported by new evidence.
Memory trick: New evidence opens up old closed cases.