Question

Read the passage and answer:
Several historians argue that the decline of ancient civilizations was not solely due to environmental factors but also due to institutional rigidity. When rules and governance systems become resistant to change, societies lose flexibility and innovation capacity. Even mild environmental shocks can then trigger collapse because institutions cannot adapt quickly enough.
Question:
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

Hint:

For inference questions, look for statements that must be true based on the passage—not something stated verbatim, but something logically implied.

Answer 1

The passage states that ancient civilizations declined partly because their institutions were too rigid, making them unable to adapt to new circumstances. From this, we can infer that flexibility and adaptability in political or social institutions are crucial for long-term survival.
Thus, a correct inference would look like: \[ \“Societies with adaptable institutions are more resilient to environmental or external shocks than those with rigid governance systems.” \] This inference follows logically because the passage explains that *rigid* institutions lead to collapse when even small disturbances occur.