Answers and Explanations—4.7 The Sphinx

P1	Paragraph 1	Comments
S1	The Sphinx, a mythical creature with a lion’s body and human head, has become inextricably linked with ancient Egyptian culture, undoubtedly because of the fame of the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt.	Sphinx = linked with ancient Egypt.
2	However, in reality, sphinx-like creatures were prominent in many ancient cultures worldwide.	But prominent in many ancient cultures.
3	The sphinx’s ubiquity and the relative constancy of its meaning and legend in many cultures points to a human commonality whose spread extends far beyond Giza and the Sahara Desert.	Some kind of human commonality.

	According to paragraph 1, all of the following were true about sphinxes EXCEPT:	Negative Fact. S1 describes the association of sphinxes with Egypt. S2–3 mention their presence in many cultures. Three answer choices will be present in these sentences. One will not be.
✗	A Sphinxes had characteristics of both humans and other animals.	S1: “a mythical creature with a lion’s body and human head.”
✗	B In ancient times, sphinxes played a not insignificant role in cultures outside of Egypt.	S2: “sphinx-like creatures were prominent in many ancient cultures worldwide.”
✓	C The Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt is the first known example of its kind.	Correct. The paragraph never mentions or implies that the Great Sphinx was the first of its kind. Furthermore, the second paragraph says that it was not.
✗	D The symbolic meaning of sphinxes was roughly similar in several cultures.	S3: “the relative constancy of its meaning and legend in many cultures.”

P2	Paragraph 2	Comments
S1	The Egyptian sphinx sported a male human head and was apparently considered a benevolent god, although one that possessed great strength.	Characteristics of Egyptian sphinx.
2	As in many other cultures, sphinxes often guarded temple entrances.
3	The famous Great Sphinx is generally not thought to be the oldest such Egyptian statue; many, but not all, scholars believe that one depicting Queen Hetepheres II, built in approximately 2600 BCE, is probably the oldest in Egypt.	Age of various sphinxes (old!).
4	However, further north in present-day Turkey, Neolithic sphinx-like figures dating to 9500 BCE have been found.

	The author mentions present-day Turkey in paragraph 2 in order to	Purpose. S3 states that the Great Sphinx in Egypt is not the oldest sphinx in Egypt. The sentence goes on to name what is thought to be the oldest sphinx there. S4 points out that, in fact, there are far older sphinxes elsewhere in the world (namely, in what is now Turkey). This is the reason why present-day Turkey is mentioned.
✗	A indicate why the Great Sphinx is the oldest such Egyptian statue	S3 states that the Great Sphinx is not thought to be the oldest such Egyptian statue.
✓	B highlight the fact that there are even older sphinxes in the world than Egyptian ones	Correct. S4 states that some sphinxes found in what is present-day Turkey are far older than any found in Egypt.
✗	C emphasize the broad geographic spread of sphinxes in the ancient world	S4 does say “further north in present-day Turkey.” But the purpose is not to argue how widespread sphinxes were in antiquity. Rather, the author mentions this particular example in order to make the point that sphinxes date back even further than S3 describes, to thousands of years before the oldest Egyptian sphinx.
✗	D point out the difference between sphinx-like figures and true sphinxes	S4 does not make any distinction between “sphinx-like figures” and any other kind of sphinx.

	Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 2? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.	Simplify Sentence. S3 discusses scholarly opinions about the relative ages of two Egyptian sphinxes.
✗	A The Great Sphinx is generally thought to be older than the one depicting Queen Hetepheres II, built in 2600 BCE.	Opposite. The Great Sphinx is generally thought to be younger than the other sphinx.
✗	B Many scholars believe that the Egyptian sphinx depicting a queen in 2600 BCE is likely to be about as old as the Great Sphinx.	Again, the Great Sphinx is likely younger than the other sphinx.
✓	C The oldest sphinx in Egypt is probably not the Great Sphinx but another made in 2600 BCE to depict a queen.	Correct. This version captures the proper relationship between the ages of the two sphinxes.
✗	D There is no Egyptian sphinx older than the one depicting Queen Hetepheres II, built in 2600 BCE, except for the Great Sphinx.	The exception at the end of the sentence invalidates this version.

	The word “benevolent” in the passage is closest in meaning to	VOCABULARY. “Benevolent” = kind, generous, wishing well, disposed to doing good.
✗	A sacred	“Sacred” = connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose. These words are not related.
✓	B kindhearted	Correct. “The Egyptian sphinx… was apparently considered a benevolent god” = it appears that this sphinx was considered a kindhearted god.
✗	C powerful	Unrelated. “Powerful” = having great strength.
✗	D vengeful	Nearly opposite. “Vengeful” = seeking to harm someone in return, seeking revenge.

P3	Paragraph 3	Comments
S1	Like its Egyptian cousin, the Greek sphinx guarded temple entrances and had the body of a lion.	The Greek sphinx, in comparison.
2	However, Greek sphinxes had a female head and often wings.
3	Furthermore, Greek sphinxes were far more malevolent.	More malevolent (= evil).
4	A prominent Greek myth tells of the Sphinx guarding Thebes; it would pose a riddle to passersby: “What walks on four feet in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three at night?"	Example in Greek myth.
5	It then killed the hapless travelers, who all failed to solve it.
6	Finally, according to the myth, Oedipus, immortalized in Sophocles’s ancient Greek play Oedipus Rex, solved the riddle: “Man.
7	As an infant, he crawls on all fours; as an adult, he walks on two legs and in old age, he uses a ‘walking’ stick.”
8	The Sphinx then killed itself.
9	This myth of this Sphinx still resonates in modern cultures; the French playwright Jean Cocteau reworked Oedipus Rex as The Infernal Machine in the twentieth century.

	The word “pose” in the passage is closest in meaning to	VOCABULARY. As a verb, “pose” = place, present, offer for attention.
✗	A pretend	“Pose as” can mean “pretend to be,” but to pose a riddle is just to ask it or present it.
✗	B shout	Too specific. You can pose a riddle without shouting it.
✓	C present	Correct. “It would pose a riddle to passersby” = it would present a riddle to passersby
✗	D answer	In a way the opposite. To “pose” a question is to ask it, rather than answer it.

	According to paragraph 3, how did Greek sphinxes differ from Egyptian sphinxes?	Fact. S1 lists similarities between Greek and Egyptian sphinxes. S2–3 discuss how Greek sphinxes differed from Egyptian sphinxes. The correct answer must be a feature that Greek sphinxes definitely had and that Egyptian sphinxes definitely did not have.
✗	A They had the body of a lion.	S1 lists a lion’s body as a similarity, not as a difference, between the two types of sphinxes.
✗	B They were able to fly.	S2 states that Greek sphinxes often had wings. But the passage does not mention flying. Perhaps Greek sphinxes were like penguins or ostriches.
✗	C They confronted passersby with riddles.	S4–8 recount the myth of a particular Greek sphinx that posed ariddle to passersby (= people who passed by). But you are never told that Egyptian sphinxes did not pose riddles. In fact, you’re never told that Greek sphinxes posed riddles in general. So there’s no way to call this feature a difference between the two types of sphinxes.
✓	D They were more vicious or spiteful.	Correct. S3: “Furthermore, Greek sphinxes were far more malevolent.” The implied comparison is to Egyptian sphinxes.

	According to paragraph 3, which of the following is true about Oedipus?	Fact. S4 begins the story of the Sphinx guarding Thebes. S6 introduces Oedipus.
✓	A He was famously portrayed in a Greek play.	Correct. S6: “Oedipus, immortalized in Sophocles’s ancient Greek play Oedipus Rex.”
✗	B He was killed by the Sphinx of Thebes.	S5 notes that travelers who failed to answer the riddle were killed. S6–7 say that Oedipus solved the riddle. S8 states that the Sphinx killed itself. It is never stated that this sphinx killed Oedipus.
✗	C He was acquainted with Jean Cocteau.	This is impossible. S9 indicates that Cocteau lived in the twentieth century, whereas Oedipus supposedly lived in ancient times and may only be a mythical figure.
✗	D Upon solving the riddle, he slew the Sphinx of Thebes.	S8 states that the Sphinx killed itself. Oedipus did not slay the Sphinx directly, although his solution to the riddle seems to have caused the Sphinx to commit suicide.

P4	Paragraph 4	Comments
S1	Sphinxes as gods are far from limited to Greece and the Middle East.	Sphinxes elsewhere in the world.
2	On the contrary, such figures have been depicted in myths and legends across the breadth of Asia.	Examples across Asia.
3	Creatures with human heads and the haunches of lions have particular names in the Sanskrit, Tamil, Pali, and Thai languages.
4	They are known and respected throughout the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
5	To this day, in parts of India, sphinxes guard temples and are worshiped in rituals.
6	Even farther afield, there is a similar creature in the Philippines that is part man and part eagle.
7	Interestingly enough, local lore has it that this sphinx also asks travelers a riddle and kills those who cannot answer it, much as in Thebes.	One example also asks deadly riddles.

	Which of the following is named in paragraph 4 as a place in which a sphinx acts like the one in Thebes did?	Fact. S6–7 describe this sphinx.
✗	A Myanmar	S3–4 mention a sphinx with the head of a human and the haunches of a lion. No mention was made of its behavior.
✗	B Thailand	S3–4 mention a sphinx with the head of a human and the haunches of a lion. No mention was made of its behavior.
✗	C India	S5 notes that “sphinxes guard temples and are worshiped in rituals,” but no mention is made of their behavior.
✓	D the Philippines	Correct. S6–7: “Even farther afield, there is similar creature in the Philippines that is part man and part eagle. Interestingly enough, local lore has it that this sphinx also asks travelers a riddle and kills those who cannot answer it, much as in Thebes.”

	The word “They” in the passage refers to	Reference. In theory, the pronoun “They” in S4 could refer to a couple of different nouns in the prior sentence. But the best candidate is the subject of S3: “Creatures” (specific ones that have human heads and the haunches of lions). This reference makes the most sense in S4 as well. The second best candidate would be the direct object in S3 (“names”). But the meaning of S4 and S5 strongly suggest that the pronoun should refer to “Creatures.”
✗	A human heads	The noun phrase “human heads” is part of the larger noun phrase that can be considered the extended subject of S3: “Creatures with human heads and the haunches of lions.” However, it is difficult for a later pronoun to refer back to a noun placed in such a junior position. Moreover, it makes more sense for the subject of S4 to be sphinxes: creatures with human heads (and other features), not human heads themselves.
✓	B creatures	Correct. S4 states that it is these creatures (namely, sphinxes) that are known throughout the Indian subcontinent and in other places. S5 also has sphinxes as its grammatical and topical subject.
✗	C lions	The noun “lions” is part of the noun phrase that can be considered the extended subject of S3: “Creatures with human heads and the haunches of lions.” However, it is difficult for a later pronoun to refer back to a noun placed in such a junior position. Moreover, it makes more sense for the subject of S4 to be sphinxes: creatures with features of lions, not lions themselves.
✗	D languages	A list of languages immediately precedes the pronoun “They.” However, a pronoun does not always have to refer to the closest previous noun. In fact, it’s often better for a subject pronoun (such as “they”) to refer back to the prior sentence’s subject, which is usually more distant. Referring back to “Creatures” makes the pronoun “They” make the most sense.

P5	Paragraph 5	Comments
S1	India is not the only place where interest in sphinxes survived antiquity.	Interest in sphinxes has continued, not just in India.
2	In Europe, an artistic fascination with sphinxes began around 1500 and continued into the 1700s.
3	In Freemasonry, a guild organization that began in medieval times and still exists today, sphinxes as guardians of secrecy are often sculpted in front of temples and adorn several Masonic badges.

	The word “adorn” in the passage is closest in meaning to	VOCABULARY. “Adorn” = decorate, embellish, make more beautiful through ornamentation.
✓	A decorate	Correct. “Sphinxes… adorn several Masonic badges” = they decorate those badges, they appear as ornamentation on those badges.
✗	B entitle	Unrelated. “Entitle” = give legal right or claim.
✗	C shape	Not quite. To “shape” = form, create, or provide a form for. But sphinxes could adorn or decorate the Masonic badges without shaping them or giving them form.
✗	D represent	Again, not quite. To say that “sphinxes represent several Masonic badges” would be to say that several of these badges are sphinxes. But sphinxes could adorn the badges without being those badges.

P6	Paragraph 6	Comments
S1	While it is thus indisputable that the sphinx has had symbolic importance from prehistory to the present, uncertainty has arisen concerning the age of the most famous sphinx of all, the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt.	The age of the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt is still debated.
2	Most scholars still subscribe to the conventional view that the Great Sphinx was built by the pharaoh Khafra around 2500 BCE.	Conventional view of most scholars: 2500 BCE.
3	However, some point to stylistic features to argue that it must be one to two hundred years older.	Some think 100–200 years older.
4	More radically, one theory suggests that the Great Sphinx is several thousand years older than generally thought.	Another theory: thousands of years older, because of weathering pattern.
5	This hypothesis claims that the weathering pattern of the Great Sphinx indicates that extensive rainfall was the agent.
6	As it is accepted that such rainfall ceased to be part of the Egyptian climate around 4000 BCE, this would mean that the Great Sphinx existed at least hundreds of years before that.
7	While the majority opinion, with some scientific justification, argues that the damage to the stone could have been caused by wind erosion and that no other evidence of ancient Egyptians undertaking such constructions before 5000 BCE has surfaced, the rival theories have had enough credence to introduce uncertainty to the discussion.
8	To this day, the exact age of the Great Sphinx remains a secret that it guards.	Issue is still uncertain.

	According to paragraph 6, which of the following is evidence for the theory that the Great Sphinx was built closer to 5000 BCE?	Fact. S4–6 describe a theory that extensive rainfall caused the erosion of the Great Sphinx. Since there was little rain in Egypt after 4000 BCE, the Great Sphinx must date back to before this time, according to the theory.
✓	A A pattern of erosion seemingly caused by heavy rains	Correct. S5–6: “This hypothesis claims that the weathering pattern of the Great Sphinx indicates that extensive rainfall was the agent. As it is accepted that such rainfall ceased to be part of the Egyptian climate around 4000 BCE, this would mean that the Great Sphinx existed at least hundreds of years before that.”
✗	B Certain stylistic aspects possibly indicating an older age	S3 describes stylistic features as evidence that the Sphinx is a few hundred years older than 2500 BCE, not 5000 BCE.
✗	C The lack of evidence of similar constructions in Egypt dating to that time	Opposite. S7 cites this lack of evidence as a point against the theory.
✗	D Accounts of the reign of the pharaoh Khafra	S2 mentions Khafra in reference to the conventional view that he built the Sphinx around 2500 BCE. No other historical details of his reign are provided.

P6	Paragraph 6	Comments
S1	While it is thus indisputable that the sphinx has had symbolic importance from prehistory to the present, uncertainty has arisen concerning the age of the most famous sphinx of all, the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt.
2	A Most scholars still subscribe to the conventional view that the Great Sphinx was built by the pharaoh Khafra around 2500 BCE.	Insertion here actually works to some degree with the prior sentence (S1), which introduces the uncertainty around the Great Sphinx’s age. The real problem, however, is that the following text doesn’t follow. The rest of the paragraph never mentions anything about how the puzzle might be resolved with these new technologies.
3–6	B However, some point to stylistic features to argue that it must be one to two hundred years older. More radically, one theory suggests that the Great Sphinx is several thousand years older than generally thought. This hypothesis claims that the weathering pattern of the Great Sphinx indicates that extensive rainfall was the agent. As it is accepted that such rainfall ceased to be part of the Egyptian climate around 4000 BCE, this would mean that the Great Sphinx existed at least hundreds of years before that.	Insertion here fails in both directions. The previous sentence does not even allude to uncertainty around the Great Sphinx’s age. Moreover, the following text does not discuss new technologies for resolving that uncertainty. Finally, insertion here would break the logical flow between S2 and S3.
7–8	C While the majority opinion, with some scientific justification, argues that the damage to the stone could have been caused by wind erosion and that no other evidence of ancient Egyptians undertaking such constructions before 5000 BCE has surfaced, the rival theories have had enough credence to introduce uncertainty to the discussion. To this day, the exact age of the Great Sphinx remains a secret that it guards.	Again, insertion here fails in both directions. The previous sentence does not mention the secret of the Great Sphinx’s age. Moreover, the following text does not discuss new technologies for resolving any lingering uncertainty.
End	D	Correct. S8 mentions the secret of the Great Sphinx (its exact age), so the new sentence can refer to it. S8 also mentions that the secret remains to this day, so the “However” works. Finally, the allusion to new technologies is fine here as a concluding remark. Nothing further is required.

	However, advances in laser technology and aerial surveying give hope that the Great Sphinx’s secret may yet be discovered. Where would the sentence best fit?	Insert Text. The prior sentence should clarify what “the Great Sphinx’s secret” is, and the “However” (indicating contrast) suggests that the prior sentence should emphasize that the secret continues or something similar. The paragraph generally discusses the uncertainty around the Great Sphinx’s age, so this is likely what the secret is (the exact age). Nevertheless, the previous sentence should make that point clear. Moreover, any text following the inserted sentence should build upon the subject introduced in this sentence (“advances in laser technology and aerial surveying”).
✗	A Choice A
✗	B Choice B
✗	C Choice C
✓	D Choice D	Correct.

	Whole Passage	Comments
P1	The Sphinx, a mythical creature with a lion’s body and human head, has become inextricably linked with ancient Egyptian culture…	Sphinx = linked with ancient Egypt. But prominent in many ancient cultures. Some kind of human commonality.
P2	The Egyptian sphinx sported a male human head and was apparently considered a benevolent god…	Characteristics of Egyptian sphinx. Age of various sphinxes (old!).
P3	Like its Egyptian cousin, the Greek sphinx guarded temple entrances and had the body of a lion…	The Greek sphinx, in comparison. More malevolent (= evil). Example in Greek myth.
P4	Sphinxes as gods are far from limited to Greece and the Middle East…	Sphinxes elsewhere in the world. Examples across Asia. One example also asks deadly riddles.
P5	India is not the only place where interest in sphinxes survived antiquity…	Interest in sphinxes has continued, not just in India.
P6	While it is thus indisputable that the sphinx has had symbolic importance from prehistory to the present, uncertainty has arisen concerning the age of the most famous sphinx of all, the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt…	The age of the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt is still debated. Conventional view of most scholars: 2500 BCE. Some think 100–200 years older. Another theory: thousands of years older, because of weathering pattern. Issue is still uncertain.

	The mythical sphinx, while inevitably imagined as the Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt, is a worldwide phenomenon of lasting importance.	Summary. Correct answers must be clearly expressed in the passage. They must also be among the major points of the passage. They should tie as directly as possible to the summary given.
✗	a Both Greek and Thai sphinxes posed riddles.	P3 indicates that at least one Greek sphinx asked riddles. But it is not known whether Thai sphinxes did so as well. P5 attributes this characteristic to a sphinx in the Philippines.
✗	b Sphinxes had a place in world cultures only until the 1700s.	P5 discusses a artistic trend ending around 1700. But P5 also mentions that sphinx symbolism continues to this day in Freemasonry. In addition, P3 S9 states that the “myth of this Sphinx still resonates in modern cultures; the French playwright Jean Cocteau reworked Oedipus Rex as The Infernal Machine in the twentieth century.”
✓	c Not limited to Egypt or Greece, sphinxes figure in legends throughout Asia.	Correct. P4 S2 emphasizes this point: “such figures have been depicted in myths and legends across the breadth of Asia.”
✗	d There are older sphinxes than the one thought to depict Queen Hetepheres II.	While this point is stated at the end of P2, it is a minor detail, not a major theme.
✓	e The emblematic Great Sphinx of Giza in Egypt cannot be dated with absolute certainty.	Correct. This is the focus of P6. While a conventional view dominates, the paragraph explicitly states that this view is not completely proven.
✓	f Egyptian and Greek sphinxes served certain similar functions, but differed in temperament.	Correct. P3 S1: “Like its Egyptian cousin, the Greek sphinx guarded temple entrances.” Also, P3 S3: “Greek sphinxes were far more malevolent.” The rest of P3 outlines a myth that illustrates the malevolence of Greek sphinxes.