GRE General Test Practice Questions - Graduate Record Examinations General Test Exam

Read the following passage and answer the question. "The history of cartography reveals a fascinating paradox: the more accurate maps became, the more they were used as instruments of power rather than mere navigational aids. Early medieval maps centered Jerusalem at the world's core, reflecting theological rather than geographical priorities. By the age of exploration, Mercator's projection—though invaluable for sea navigation—systematically distorted the relative sizes of landmasses, enlarging Europe and North America while shrinking Africa and South America. Modern scholars argue that such distortions were not simply technical limitations but also carried ideological weight, subtly reinforcing the perceived centrality of certain civilizations." The passage primarily argues that: