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CAT RC Practice Sets

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R RC #21
 VARC 100: RC#21
A new controversial theory challenges the long-held view of most archaeologists that primitive European
societies were patriarchal in both their social and religious structures, by suggesting that the people of 1. Which of the following most closely resembles the new
T ―Old Europe— from 8000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.—lived in stable agricultural societies in which women headed theory’s view of the European society prior 3000 B.C?
clans and men laboured as hunters and builders. This theory suggests that during the Stone Age there A. A nomadic community of hunter-gatherer-builders in which
H thrived in and around Europe peace-loving, matriarchal communities in which men and women lived women held positions of importance in clan, as men provided
E together as equals, respected nature, and worshipped a nurturing deity called the Great Goddess. for the family.
B. A female-dominated society with men’s main role limited to
Proponents of this theory contend that this peaceful and harmonious society was shattered in about the labor
year 3000 B.C., when marauders from the Indo-European steppes replaced social and sexual egalitarianism C. A warring community where groups were divided into two –
V by patriarchy and hierarchy, and warrior gods dethroned the Great Goddess. With the widespread one worshipping the male war gods and the other worshipping a
decimation of Old Europe, the goddess-centred religion went underground. However, its symbols have
E reappeared over the centuries in the forms of the female deities of Greece and Rome, in the Virgin Mary,
kind feminine deity.
D. A pacific community of nature worshippers with well-
and in the belief in spiritual forces lurking within the natural world.
R classified roles for both sexes.

B The theory of the Great Goddess has been hailed by feminist social critics, artists, and religious thinkers for
providing an important alternative to traditional, patriarchal mythologies and paradigms, as well as for 2. Based on the information in the passage, which of the
A providing a new and more positive model for the human relationship to the natural world. following statements about prehistoric European society would
traditional archaeologists most likely consider illegitimate?
L Yet many other investigators into prehistoric Europe consider the theory an unsubstantiated and idealistic A. The people were agrarian and not nomadic.
version of history. To a number of critics, the chief problem in this radical theory is one of method. B. Food was cooked in clay vessels over a fire.
Traditional archaeologists, taking issue with unorthodox speculation on ancient belief systems, contend that C. The people were worried about invasion.
archaeological evidence may tell us something about what people ate in the small villages of prehistoric
M Europe, how they built their homes, and what they traded, but cannot tell us much about what the dwellers
D. They had adopted a more patriarchal model

E of the ancient world actually thought. To them, such speculation is illegitimate.

N But supporters of the theory of a goddess-worshipping Old Europe counter that such critiques reveal a
certain narrow-mindedness on the part of scientists rather than weaknesses on the part of their theory
T arguing that some degree of speculation is important, perhaps even necessary, for the sake of progress in
archaeology and other fields. This element of speculation helps reveal the implications of a theory.
O
R
 VARC 100: RC#21
A new controversial theory challenges the long-held view of most archaeologists that primitive European
societies were patriarchal in both their social and religious structures, by suggesting that the people of 3. Which of the following maxims seems most in agreement with
T ―Old Europe— from 8000 B.C. to 3000 B.C.—lived in stable agricultural societies in which women headed the argument that the supporters of the Great Goddess theory
clans and men laboured as hunters and builders. This theory suggests that during the Stone Age there put forth in response to criticism?
H thrived in and around Europe peace-loving, matriarchal communities in which men and women lived A. Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.
E together as equals, respected nature, and worshipped a nurturing deity called the Great Goddess. B. A mind is like a parachute in that it only works when open.
C. He who does not understand his opponent‘s arguments does
Proponents of this theory contend that this peaceful and harmonious society was shattered in about the not understand his own.
year 3000 B.C., when marauders from the Indo-European steppes replaced social and sexual egalitarianism D. The early bird gets the worm
V by patriarchy and hierarchy, and warrior gods dethroned the Great Goddess. With the widespread
decimation of Old Europe, the goddess-centred religion went underground. However, its symbols have
E reappeared over the centuries in the forms of the female deities of Greece and Rome, in the Virgin Mary,
4. Which of the following would be contrary to what a
proponent of the theory of the Great Goddess most likely
and in the belief in spiritual forces lurking within the natural world.
R believes?
A. The available archaeological evidence does not rule out the
B The theory of the Great Goddess has been hailed by feminist social critics, artists, and religious thinkers for
providing an important alternative to traditional, patriarchal mythologies and paradigms, as well as for idea that Old European matriarchal communities existed.
A providing a new and more positive model for the human relationship to the natural world. B. The field of archaeology has been dominated in the past by
male- oriented scholarship.
L Yet many other investigators into prehistoric Europe consider the theory an unsubstantiated and idealistic C. Matriarchy is conducive to establishing a healthy relationship
version of history. To a number of critics, the chief problem in this radical theory is one of method. with the natural world.
Traditional archaeologists, taking issue with unorthodox speculation on ancient belief systems, contend that D. The decimation of Old European society wiped away all traces
archaeological evidence may tell us something about what people ate in the small villages of prehistoric
M Europe, how they built their homes, and what they traded, but cannot tell us much about what the dwellers
of the Great Goddess religion.

E of the ancient world actually thought. To them, such speculation is illegitimate.

N But supporters of the theory of a goddess-worshipping Old Europe counter that such critiques reveal a
certain narrow-mindedness on the part of scientists rather than weaknesses on the part of their theory
T arguing that some degree of speculation is important, perhaps even necessary, for the sake of progress in
archaeology and other fields. This element of speculation helps reveal the implications of a theory.
O
R