PrepTest 147, Section 3, Question 7
The government of Mali passed a law against(427 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- ADeclarations from UNESCO(24 more words not shown)
- BPreserving cultural knowledge(21 more words not shown)
- CRather than acceding(23 more words not shown)
- DThe government of(19 more words not shown)
- EThe idea that(21 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted the main point: Mali's ban failed to protect the site's cultural knowledge, and a more workable system could have preserved more of it. The author proposes licensing, records, registration and an export tax while acknowledging that the result still wouldn't be perfect.
What we’re looking for
Look for an answer that captures that criticism and proposed improvement. A true statement about the ownership doctrine alone would leave out the argument built around it.
Working the answers
- A
This accurately describes the background doctrine, but stops before the problem with the regulations and the proposed alternative. It doesn't express the author's main conclusion.
- BCorrect
This connects the objective—preserving cultural knowledge—with the need to move beyond simple prohibition. The final paragraph illustrates what a more flexible approach could include.
- C
The author doesn't tell countries to reject international help. The proposal specifically imagines Mali being helped by UNESCO. Finding a better policy doesn't require an entirely independent or unique solution.
- D
The proposal does not restrict licenses to accredited archaeologists. In fact, the author admits its excavations might be less informative than professionally administered ones. D replaces a practical compromise with a professional-only requirement, while also narrowing the main point to one measure.
- E
The author accepts Mali's regulatory role as reasonable. The criticism concerns how protective regulations operate and the incentives they create, not a conclusion that state ownership itself causes more harm than good.
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