Archaeologist Elena Vance examined pottery shards found in a Neolithic settlement in modern-day Turkey. She found that the clay composition and firing techniques were _______ the pottery produced by neighboring civilizations of the same era, suggesting that there was significant trade and cultural exchange between the groups.
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
surpassed by
comparable to
independent of
obtained from
Correct Answer: B
Choice B is the best answer. The text states that the pottery suggested "significant trade and cultural exchange." This implies the styles were similar. Therefore, the pottery was "comparable to" (similar to) that of the neighbors.
Choice A is incorrect because "surpassed by" means to be better than, which suggests a ranking rather than the similarity implied by trade exchange. Choice C is incorrect because "independent of" implies no relationship, which contradicts the idea of cultural exchange. Choice D is incorrect because the shards were found in the settlement, not "obtained from" the neighbors directly in the context of the comparison.