Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each other numbered blanks
There is (26) _______ debate between archeologists about when and where the first civilizations developed. That is because the answer to that question depends on what one defines as a civilization. If a civilization is simply a small group of people having a similar culture and beliefs, then civilizations have existed in many parts of the world for thousands of years. If a civilization is defined as a larger, more complex society (27) _______ a government and the construction of cities, then the first civilization was probably the Sumerian civilization in what is now Iraq. The Sumerians were (28) _______ from the culture, which was made up of small villages of farmers who lived slightly farther north. Sometime around 4,000 BC these farmers moved down into the valley along the Tigris River.
This land received little rain, and was unsuitable for farming. Therefore, it was empty and the Sumerians had plenty of (29) _______ and little competition from other, and little competition from other peoples. What allowed the Sumerians – to successfully farm in this dry land was their knowledge of irrigation, the practice of taking water from a river or lake and moving it to fields through the use of man-made canals. This allowed the Sumerians to farm here successfully (30) _______ the lack of rain. We know that the Sumerians had a great understanding of irrigation because their language is filled with words related to it.
Question:
(26) _______
-
A.
many -
B.
a number of -
C.
the number of -
D.
much
Reference explanation:
Correct Answer: EASY
A. many: many (+plural countable noun)
B. a number of: a few (+plural countable noun)
C. the number of: many, many (+plural countable noun)
D. much: many (+ uncountable noun)
Translated: There is much debate between archeologists about when and where the first civilizations developed. (There is much controversy among archaeologists about when and where the first civilization developed.)
=> Choose the EASY answer
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The debate between archeologists over when and where the first civilizations developed is one that has been ongoing for centuries. It is a complex issue that has been the subject of much research and speculation.
The first civilizations are believed to have emerged in the Middle East, in the region of Mesopotamia, around 3000 BC. This is the area now known as Iraq, and it is where some of the earliest written records were discovered. This region is also thought to have been the birthplace of the earliest forms of writing, agriculture, and urbanization.
However, some archeologists argue that other regions, such as the Indus Valley in modern-day India, may have been the sites of the first civilizations. The Indus Valley civilization was first discovered in the 1920s and is believed to have existed from around 3000 to 1500 BC. It is thought to have been a highly organized society with a sophisticated system of writing, as well as a complex urban layout.
In addition, some archeologists have suggested that the ancient cultures of China, Egypt, and the Americas may have developed independently of the Middle East. For example, the ancient Chinese civilization of the Xia Dynasty is believed to have existed from around 2100 to 1600 BC. Similarly, the ancient Egyptian civilization is thought to have emerged around 3000 BC and the ancient civilizations of the Americas are believed to have developed around 1000 BC.
Ultimately, there is no definitive answer as to when and where the first civilizations developed. Each region has its own unique history and culture, and the debate between archeologists will likely continue for years to come. What is certain is that the development of these early civilizations has had a profound impact on the world we live in today.