GRE General TestVerbal ReasoningEasy
A recent archaeological discovery in the Amazon rainforest revealed a complex network of ancient earthworks, including mounds, canals, and raised fields, far exceeding previous estimates of pre-Columbian population density and agricultural sophistication. This finding suggests that the region was not a pristine wilderness but rather a highly ______ landscape.
- Anatural
- Bbarren
- Cunspoiled
- Dcultivated
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. cultivated
The sentence states that the region was 'not a pristine wilderness' but instead had 'complex earthworks', 'mounds, canals, and raised fields' for agriculture. This implies the landscape was significantly altered by human activity. 'Cultivated' means prepared and used for growing crops, which directly fits this description.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 'Natural' implies untouched by humans, which contradicts 'not a pristine wilderness' and the human-made earthworks.
- B. 'Barren' means too poor to produce much or any vegetation, which contradicts the idea of 'agricultural sophistication'.
- C. 'Unspoiled' means not damaged or affected by human activity, which contradicts 'not a pristine wilderness' and the evidence of earthworks.
Text Completion: Direct Contrast
Using explicit contrast words to infer a word that is the opposite of a described concept.
- Look for phrases like 'not X but rather Y'.
- The blank will be the opposite of X.
- Helps to clarify meaning through negation.
Memory trick: Mirror, mirror, what's my exact opposite, given the 'not X but Y' clue?