The vivid scene of animals cavorting around the edge of lakes that once shimmered in Mexico City was painted by Aztec
Indians in the early 1530s....At the center of the 16-yard-long painting is a
Christian cross in black and white, floating
above
a colorful, lively scene of fishermen, frogs, fish, and other creatures
. To the right of the cross and below it, the
Indians painted an Ahuizotl, a mythical Aztec animal with
paws resembling hands that was considered a servant or
representative of the Aztec rain god, Tlaloc. To the
left, there is a jaguar with a stylized plant on its back, upon which rests
an eagle - a preference to pre-Hispanic place names
and the kingdoms that ruled before the Spanish came. Indians also
drew gracefully executed
depictions of lakeside plants, some of which were used in traditional Aztec medicine.
---Mark Stevenson, newspaper story on an Aztec mural, 2006.
13. Based on the excerpt, which statement best reflects the relationship between the Aztec and the Spanish in 1530?
1) The Aztec remained isolated from the influences of Spanish culture.
2) The Aztec maintained some of their culture in the face of Spanish influence.
3) Many Aztecs were converted to Christianity by Spanish colonists.
4) Elements of Aztec religion and culture were very similar to Christianity and Spanish culture.