Title: The Lost Civilization of the Indus Valley
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The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), also known as Harappan Civilization, flourished around 3300-1300 BC in what is now Pakistan and northwest India. This sophisticated and technologically advanced civilization, distinguished by its urban planning and architectural achievements, sprang up in the fertile plains of the Indus River. The cities, featuring advanced sanitation systems, grid patterns, and multistoried houses, reflect an extraordinary level of sophistication that far outstripped many contemporary cultures of the same period.
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Despite their impressive accomplishments, the Harappans were mysteriously non-militaristic, as no evidence of an organized army, fortifications, or weapons have been discovered. They were primarily a peaceful society focused on trade and agriculture. Evidence suggests they cultivated wheat, barley, and cotton, and domesticated animals such as chickens and elephants. Their trade networks extended as far as Mesopotamia, indicated by Indus seals and artifacts found in Mesopotamian ruins.
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The script of the Harappan civilization, unique and undeciphered, has been a major challenge for archaeologists. Found on seals, pottery, and amulets, it contains around 400 distinct signs. Although attempts have been made to decipher it, the absence of bilingual texts, akin to the Rosetta Stone for Egyptian hieroglyphs, makes understanding the language a daunting task. Thus, the civilization's lore, traditions, and governance remain shrouded in mystery.
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Art and religion played a significant role in the Indus Valley Civilization. Exquisite seals and figurines, crafted with minute detail, demonstrate their artistic prowess. Notable among these are the 'Dancing Girl', a tiny bronze statue with an impressively naturalistic pose, and the 'Pashupati Seal', depicting a figure surrounded by animals, considered by many to represent a proto-Shiva deity. These artifacts offer tantalizing glimpses into the Harappans' spiritual beliefs and societal norms.
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However, around 1900 BC, the vibrant Indus Valley Civilization started to decline. Many theories abound regarding this downfall, from climate change to shifts in river courses to overpopulation. Some suggest invasion or disease, but none have been definitively proven. Archaeologists continue to excavate Indus Valley sites in an attempt to understand what led to their eventual disappearance.
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One fascinating aspect of the Indus Valley Civilization is its rediscovery in the 20th century. Lost for millennia, the ruins of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro were uncovered in the 1920s, prompting a surge of interest in this forgotten civilization. These excavations unearthed a treasure trove of artifacts, providing invaluable insights into the Harappans' way of life but also raising more questions than answers.
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In summary, the Indus Valley Civilization remains one of the most enigmatic and fascinating subjects in archaeology. Its highly advanced urban planning, peaceful nature, and unique undeciphered script set it apart from its contemporaries. Even though its decline and disappearance are still largely unexplained, the enduring legacy of the Harappans continues to captivate archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike. The IVC stands as a testament to the achievements of ancient societies and the mysteries they left behind.
The Questions:
1. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 1:
"Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the sentence 'This sophisticated and technologically advanced civilization, distinguished by its urban planning and architectural achievements, sprang up in the fertile plains of the Indus River'?"
A. The Indus Valley Civilization was technologically backward and lacked any distinctive features.
B. Despite being located in a barren region, the civilization managed to make remarkable architectural achievements.
C. The Indus Valley Civilization, marked by its advanced technology and architectural accomplishments, originated in the rich soils along the Indus River.
D. This civilization had advanced technology but lacked in urban planning and architecture.
2. Rhetorical Purpose (Author’s Purpose) -- Paragraph 2:
"Why does the author mention that 'Their trade networks extended as far as Mesopotamia, indicated by Indus seals and artifacts found in Mesopotamian ruins'?"
A. To highlight the limited scope of the Harappan's trade network.
B. To emphasize the isolation of the Harappan civilization.
C. To underline the expansive reach of the Harappan civilization's trade links.
D. To imply that the Harappans conquered Mesopotamia.
3. Negative Factual Information (Negative Detail) -- Paragraph 3:
"Which of the following is NOT mentioned in paragraph 3?"
A. The script of the Harappan civilization has been deciphered.
B. The Harappan script is unique and contains around 400 distinct signs.
C. Bilingual texts have not been discovered, making it hard to decipher the script.
D. The civilization's traditions and governance remain unknown due to the undeciphered script.
4. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 4:
"Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the sentence 'Notable among these are the 'Dancing Girl', a tiny bronze statue with an impressively naturalistic pose, and the 'Pashupati Seal', depicting a figure surrounded by animals, considered by many to represent a proto-Shiva deity'?"
A. The 'Dancing Girl' and 'Pashupati Seal' are irrelevant in the understanding of the Harappan civilization.
B. The 'Dancing Girl' and the 'Pashupati Seal' are significant artifacts from the Harappan civilization, hinting at the society's artistic abilities and spiritual beliefs.
C. The Harappan civilization was devoid of any significant artistic achievements.
D. The 'Dancing Girl' and the 'Pashupati Seal' are modern creations falsely attributed to the Harappans.
5. Vocabulary -- Paragraph 5:
"The word 'abound' in paragraph 5 is closest in meaning to..."
A. Shrink
B. Dwindle
C. Disappear
D. Proliferate
6. Inference -- Paragraph 6:
"What can be inferred from the information in paragraph 6?"
A. The Indus Valley Civilization was never truly lost.
B. The Indus Valley Civilization was not interesting to 20th-century archaeologists.
C. The rediscovery of the Indus Valley Civilization sparked great interest and raised many new questions.
D. The 20th-century archaeologists were not successful in their excavation of the Indus Valley sites.
7. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 7:
"Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the sentence 'The IVC stands as a testament to the achievements of ancient societies and the mysteries they left behind'?"
A. The Indus Valley Civilization was not particularly remarkable in its achievements.
B. The Indus Valley Civilization represents the profound accomplishments and enigmas left behind by ancient cultures.
C. The mysteries of the Indus Valley Civilization have all been solved.
D. The Indus Valley Civilization is a testament to the failures of ancient societies.
8. Vocabulary -- Paragraph 7:
"The word 'enigmatic' in paragraph 7 is closest in meaning to..."
A. Obvious
B. Transparent
C. Insignificant
D. Mysterious
9. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 7:
"Which of the following best expresses the essential information in the sentence 'Even though its decline and disappearance are still largely unexplained, the enduring legacy of the Harappans continues to captivate archaeologists and history enthusiasts alike'?"
A. The Indus Valley Civilization vanished without leaving any impact.
B. Despite the unresolved reasons behind its decline and disappearance, the lasting influence of the Indus Valley Civilization still fascinates researchers and history buffs.
C. Archaeologists and history enthusiasts have lost interest in the Indus Valley Civilization due to its unexplained disappearance.
D. The legacy of the Indus Valley Civilization has been entirely explained and understood.
10. Prose Summary - Choose 3 from 6 available options:
"An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage."
The Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, was an advanced society with unique features and enduring mysteries.
A. The Harappan civilization was marked by advanced urban planning, peaceful nature, and a unique yet undeciphered script.
B. While the civilization's decline and disappearance are unexplained, its legacy continues to intrigue scholars and history enthusiasts.
C. The Indus Valley Civilization was a warlike society with a strong military tradition.
D. Despite its sophisticated urban planning, the Harappan civilization lacked in the areas of trade and agriculture.
E. The Harappan's script has been completely deciphered, shedding light on their traditions and governance.
F. The civilization was rediscovered in the 20th century, leading to a renewed interest and raising more questions than answers.
Answer keys:
Sure, here are the answer keys along with explanations for each question:
1. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 1:
Answer: C. The Indus Valley Civilization, marked by its advanced technology and architectural accomplishments, originated in the rich soils along the Indus River.
Explanation: This option best captures the essence of the original sentence, highlighting the advanced nature of the civilization and its origin along the Indus River.
2. Rhetorical Purpose (Author’s Purpose) -- Paragraph 2:
Answer: C. To underline the expansive reach of the Harappan civilization's trade links.
Explanation: In the paragraph, the author mentions the trade links with Mesopotamia to emphasize the broad trading network of the Harappan civilization.
3. Negative Factual Information (Negative Detail) -- Paragraph 3:
Answer: A. The script of the Harappan civilization has been deciphered.
Explanation: The paragraph specifically mentions that the script is undeciphered, so this is the fact NOT mentioned in the paragraph.
4. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 4:
Answer: B. The 'Dancing Girl' and the 'Pashupati Seal' are significant artifacts from the Harappan civilization, hinting at the society's artistic abilities and spiritual beliefs.
Explanation: The original sentence talks about these artifacts and suggests they give insights into the society's artistry and religious beliefs, which is best reflected in this answer choice.
5. Vocabulary -- Paragraph 5:
Answer: D. Proliferate.
Explanation: 'Abound' means to exist in large numbers or amounts, which is closest in meaning to 'proliferate.'
6. Inference -- Paragraph 6:
Answer: C. The rediscovery of the Indus Valley Civilization sparked great interest and raised many new questions.
Explanation: Paragraph 6 discusses the rediscovery of the civilization in the 20th century and indicates that this finding stirred significant interest and presented new queries, leading us to infer this answer.
7. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 7:
Answer: B. The Indus Valley Civilization represents the profound accomplishments and enigmas left behind by ancient cultures.
Explanation: The sentence is talking about how the IVC serves as a symbol of the achievements and mysteries of ancient societies, best summarized in this option.
8. Vocabulary -- Paragraph 7:
Answer: D. Mysterious.
Explanation: 'Enigmatic' means difficult to interpret or understand, which is closely synonymous with 'mysterious.'
9. Sentence Simplification (Paraphrasing) -- Paragraph 7:
Answer: B. Despite the unresolved reasons behind its decline and disappearance, the lasting influence of the Indus Valley Civilization still fascinates researchers and history buffs.
Explanation: The sentence encapsulates the enduring fascination for the IVC, despite the uncertainties surrounding its decline and disappearance.
10. Prose Summary - Choose 3 from 6 available options:
Answer: A, B, and F.
Explanation:
A. The paragraph indeed talks about these features of the Harappan civilization.
B. The article mentions the unexplained disappearance and its ongoing intrigue among scholars and history enthusiasts.
F. The rediscovery of the civilization is a significant event discussed in the article, leading to renewed interest and many new questions.
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