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The passage describes a major development in the study of human evolution: the discovery that Neanderthals made tools from materials that were more difficult to work with than materials more readily available to them. "That they were willing to go to such lengths for those materials suggests they were aware of the materials' qualities and that they had an advanced level of technological know-how," said archaeologist [Name redacted]. This finding also suggests that Neanderthals had a more nuanced understanding of materials than previously thought. What does the author suggest about Neanderthals?

SAT · English · previous-year question

  1. A.had an advanced level of technology and an understanding of materials that was more complex than previously thought.
  2. B.were aware of the qualities of the materials they used for tools and that they had an advanced level of technological know-how.
  3. C.were more advanced than previously thought, and their understanding of materials was more complex than previously thought.
  4. D.had a more nuanced understanding of materials than previously thought and an advanced level of technological know-how.correct

Answer

D. had a more nuanced understanding of materials than previously thought and an advanced level of technological know-how.

Explanation

The passage highlights the discovery that Neanderthals used materials that were more difficult to work with than other readily available materials. This suggests a nuanced understanding of materials that was more complex than previously thought. While the passage discusses the advanced technological skill of Neanderthals, it focuses primarily on their understanding of materials.

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