This is the most plausible explanation to this question.I found it difficult to wrap my head around the 'version 4' idea, in which there exists a version 4 but the editor is aware of only up to version 3 and is not aware that a version 4 exists. But then, that may be a problem just for me.
The undermentioned explanation clears all my doubts. Thanks a lot.
Namiji wrote:
I suggest applying this 4-step process to tackle the problem:
Step 1 - Read carefully the Question Statement (to focus your reading)
Question statement : "The editor’s argument is most vulnerable to the criticism that it"
This kind of question tests our ability to analyze the logical structure of an argument and identify its flaws.
Notice that we are not asked to weaken the conclusion but rather to identify flaws in the argument as a whole.
Step 2 - Understand the argument and its Logical Construction (visualization)
We can summarize the arguments as follows :
a) Problem in attesting facts (because author not present). (Fact 1)
b) Problem arising when draft version not dated, making the editor's job difficult. (Fact 2)
c) TO ELIMINATE the problem, authors should be asked to date scripts and provide references to previous versions (conclusion)
The assumption on which the argument is based is that : Dating / versioning will ELIMINATE the problem. Note that "eliminates" means "solving 100% of the problem".
There is another important point to notice when reading the passage. It is the definition of the problem. In the first sentence, we are told about a problem of "Attesting facts". And in the following sentences, that problem is reduced to "Absence of date / versioning in drafts".
Basically what the argument tells us is that : "the solution to a portion of the problem (date / versioning) will ELIMINATE the whole problem (attesting facts)".
Step 3 – Pre-thinking
Based on our analysis of the structure of the argument, we can say that the most important criticism to this argument lies in the reduction of the scope of the problem : We went from a broad problem (attesting facts) to a limited problem (dating manuscrits).
Step 4 - Process of Elimination
After a quick POE, Answer Choices A and D can be eliminated without any hesitation.
Other Answer choices require more scrutiny before elimination.
Answer B - Tries to address the symptoms rather than the actual cause of the problem.
This Answer choice is meant to make you think and waste precious time. In fact, the recommendation made in the passage (i.e dating the manuscripts) addresses the cause of a problem and not the manifestation of that cause (symptom). For this reason it is out.
Answer C - does not fully consider the scope of the problem.
Answer Choice in conformity with our pre-thinking. In fact, the problem the editors face is much broader than versioning / dating of drafts. In fact, it is possible to have a dated draft but that is still a DRAFT (and not an accurate and definitive description of the facts the author wanted to convey). Therefore, C is the correct Choice .
Answer E - Solution irrelevant to the problem
It is true that the recommendation made in the passage doesn't address the broader problem of "Attesting facts" however it is relevant in addressing the versioning issue (part of the problem). Therefore, it is PARTIALLY relevant.
For this reason E is out.