Excavations of Viking settlements in Greenland revealed that early colonists successfully farmed cattle and sheep, grew barley, and built substantial churches. Later settlement layers show a shift to a seal-based diet and simpler buildings. The final layers, dating to around 1400 CE, show evidence of rapid abandonment, with valuable items left behind.
It can be inferred from the text that
Viking settlers in Greenland always prospered
seals were never hunted by Greenland Vikings
the Vikings left Greenland voluntarily for better opportunities elsewhere
the Greenland Viking settlements may have experienced declining conditions over time
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. The progression shows deterioration from farms to seals to abandonment.
- Context clues: Farming and churches → seal diet and simpler buildings → rapid abandonment with valuables left.
- Meaning: The trajectory shows declining resources and capabilities.
- Verify: Leaving valuables behind suggests a forced rather than planned departure.
💡 Strategy: Track changes over time to infer overall trends.
Choice A is incorrect because conditions clearly worsened over time. Choice B is incorrect because they shifted TO a seal-based diet. Choice C is incorrect because valuable items left behind suggest crisis, not voluntary departure.