Questions: Question 13 refers to the following paragraph. The ninth-century b.c.e. collapse of the Mayan empire is often attributed to a massive drought. But new geological and archaeological evidence from the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico shows that the Maya engaged in massive deforestation, clearing land for crops and burning the wood to bake bricks for their cities and temples. Modern weather models show that the destruction of native vegetation could have contributed to as much as 60 percent of the dry weather that is believed to have ended this civilization. 13. According to the theory presented in the paragraph, what was the effect of Mayan deforestation of the Yucatan peninsula? A. The Mayans needed more land to grow crops. B. Scientists discovered new evidence in the geological record. C. A drought was significantly worsened due to lack of native vegetation. D. Baking bricks required an enormous amount of wood.

Transcript text: Question 13 refers to the following paragraph. The ninth-century b.c.e. collapse of the Mayan empire is often attributed to a massive drought. But new geological and archaeological evidence from the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico shows that the Maya engaged in massive deforestation, clearing land for crops and burning the wood to bake bricks for their cities and temples. Modern weather models show that the destruction of native vegetation could have contributed to as much as 60 percent of the dry weather that is believed to have ended this civilization. 13. According to the theory presented in the paragraph, what was the effect of Mayan deforestation of the Yucatan peninsula? A. The Mayans needed more land to grow crops. B. Scientists discovered new evidence in the geological record. C. A drought was significantly worsened due to lack of native vegetation. D. Baking bricks required an enormous amount of wood.