let us read the paragraph provided -
the first sentence - "although the earliest surviving ....,
a strong case can be made that the Greeks actually adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries earlier." - talks about the author's opinion.
In fact, the highlighted portion serves as the main
conclusion of the argument.
Let us read the rest of the paragraph. The next sentence states a fact.
the next clause (3rd sentence) - "
Now the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians" - again states a fact.
"and in the process
they would surely have adopted whatever convention the Phoenicians were then using with respect to the direction of writing." - this is a judgment used by the author.
the next sentence - sentence 4 - states a fact.
We can clearly see that sentences 2,3, and 4
support the author's main conclusion stated in sentence 1.
With this in mind, let us attempt the answer options -
A - the first part of the answer option is correct.
However, the second boldface is not the main conclusion of the argument. The second boldface is an opinion stated by the author to support the main conclusion in sentence 1.
Moreover, if you read the answer option carefully, it states that the first boldface - "
the text of these earliest surviving Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right."
SUPPORTS the second boldface - "
they would surely have adopted whatever convention the Phoenicians were then using with respect to the direction of writing."
this does not make any logical sense.
B -
Correct Answer.this answer option basically states that both the boldfaced portions support the argument's main conclusion.
C - Incorrect.
The author does NOT say that the first boldface is unjustified. The first boldface states a FACT.
the second boldface does not go against the first boldface. It does not say that the first boldface is unjustified.
D - the passage reports only ONE position. Furthermore, the first boldface supports the main conclusion.
the second boldface is not the main position of the argument.
E - the first boldface supports the main position. It is not used to serve as an objection.
the second does not question the first boldface.
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Crackverbal Prep Team
www.crackverbal.com