For absolute dating of archeological artifacts, the radiocarbon method emerged during the latter half of
the twentieth century as the most reliable and precise method. The results of obsidian (volcanic glass)
dating, a method based on the belief that newly exposed obsidian surfaces absorb moisture from the
surrounding atmosphere at a constant rate, proved uneven. It was initially thought that the thickness of
the hydration layer would provide a means of calculating the time elapsed since the fresh surface was
made. But this method failed to account for the chemical variability in the physical and chemical
mechanism of obsidian hydration. Moreover, each geographic source presented unique chemical
characteristics, necessitating a trace element analysis for each such source. Yet despite its limitations,
obsidian dating helped archeologists identify the sources of many obsidian artifacts, and to identify in turn
ancient exchange networks for the flow of goods. Nor were ceramic studies and fluoride analysis
supplanted entirely by the radiocarbon method, which in use allows for field labeling and laboratory errors,
as well as sample contamination. In addition, in the 1970s, dendrochronological (tree-ring) studies on the
bristlecone pine showed that deviation from radiocarbon values increases as one moves back in time.
Eventually calibration curves were developed to account for this phenomenon; but in the archeological
literature we still find dual references to radiocarbon and sidereal, or calendar, time.
The author would probably consider which of the following the LEAST likely means of dating
archeological artifacts?

• A. Obsidian hydration-layer analysis
• B. Dendrochronological studies
• C. Fluoride analysis
• D. Ceramics studies
• E. Radiocarbon dating

The Trojan War is one of the most famous wars in history. It is well known for the tenyear duration, for the
heroism of a number of legendary characters, and for the Trojan horse. What may not be familiar,
however, is the story of how the war began. According to Greek myth, the strife between the Trojans and
the Greeks started at the wedding of Peleus, King of Thessaly, and Thetis, a sea nymph. All of the gods
and goddesses had been invited to the wedding celebration in Troy except Eris, goddesses of discord.
She had been omitted from the guest list because her presence always embroiled mortals and immortals
alike in conflict. To take revenge on those who had slighted her, Eris decided to cause a skirmish. Into the
middle of the banquet hall, she threw a golden apple marked "for the most beautiful." All of the goddesses
began to haggle over who should possess it.
The gods and goddesses reached a stalemate when the choice was narrowed to Hera, Athena, and
Aphrodite. Someone was needed to settle the controversy by picking a winner. The job eventually fell to
Paris, son of King Priam of Troy, who was said to be a good judge of beauty. Paris did not have an easy
job. Each goddess, eager to win the golden apple, tried aggressively to bribe him. "I'll grant you vast
kingdoms to rule, "promised HerA. "Vast kingdoms are nothing in comparison with my gift," contradicted
AthenA. "Choose me and I'll see that you win victory and fame in war." Aphrodite outdid her adversaries,
however. She won the golden apple by offering Helen, Zeus' daughter and the most beautiful mortal, to
Paris. Paris, anxious to claim Helen, set off for Sparta in Greece. Although Paris learned that Helen was
married, he accepted the hospitality of her husband, King Menelasu of Sparta, anyway. Therefore,
Menelaus was outraged for a number of reasons when Paris departed, taking Helen and much of the
king's wealth back to Troy. Menelaus collected his loyal forces and set sail for Troy to begin the war to
reclaim Helen.
Eris was known for ___both mortals and immortals.

• A. comforting
• B. involving in conflict
• C. feeling hostile toward
• D. scheming against
• E. ignoring

The village of Vestmannaeyjar, in the far northern country of Iceland, is as bright and clean and up-to-date
as any American or Canadian suburb. It is located on the island of Heimaey, just off the mainland. One
January night in 1973, however, householders were shocked from their sleep. In some backyards red-hot
liquid was spurting from the ground.
Flaming "skyrockets" shot up and over the houses. The island's volcano, Helgafell, silent for seven
thousand years, was violently erupting! Luckily, the island's fishing fleet was in port, and within twenty-four
hours almost everyone was ferried to the mainland. But then the agony of the island began in earnest. As
in a nightmare, fountains of burning lava spurted three hundred feet high. Black, baseball-size cinders
rained down. An evilsmelling, eye-burning, throat-searing cloud of smoke and gas erupted into the air,
and a river of lava flowed down the mountain. The constant shriek of escaping steam was punctuated by
ear-splitting explosions. As time went on, the once pleasant village of Vestmannaeyjar took on a weird
aspect. Its street lamps still burning against the long Arctic night, the town lay under a thick blanket of
cinders. All that could be seen above the ten-foot black drifts were the tips of street signs. Some houses
had collapsed under the weight of cinders; others had burst into flames as the heat ignited their oil storage
tanks. Lighting the whole lurid scene, fire continued to shoot from the mouth of the looming volcano. The
eruption continued for six months. Scientists and reporters arrived from around the world to observe the
awesome natural event. But the town did not die that easily. In July, when the eruption ceased, the people
of Heimaey Island returned to assess the chances of rebuilding their homes and lives. They found tons of
ash covering the ground. The Icelanders are a tough people, however, accustomed to the strange and
violent nature of their Arctic land. They dug out their homes. They even used the cinders to build new
roads and airport runways. Now the new homes of Heimaey are warmed from water pipes heated by
molten lava.
Despite the eruption-

• A. the radio kept broadcasting
• B. the television kept broadcasting
• C. street lamps kept burning
• D. buses kept running
• E. the police kept working

It is often said that those most firmly committed to an idea are also most critical of it. Yet, could anyone
honestly defend this (i)_______? Consider, for instance, Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who in
the late nineteenth century paved the way for the women's rights movement through their fervent
advocacy. Would it not be (ii)_______ that Stanton and Anthony were at the same time highly (ii)_______
of the notion that women deserve equal rights under the law?

• A. enamored
• B. tautological to claim
• C. patently absurd to aver
• D. ill-conceived contrivance
• E. age-old aphorism
• F. supportive
• G. oft-touted ideology
• H. audacious to insist
• I. suspicious

HAND : GNARLED ::

• A. brow : creased
• B. foot : cramped
• C. flower : crushed
• D. tree : tall
• E. tire : flat