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14 Jul 2021, 04:30
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E
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!
Difficulty:
15%
(low)
Question Stats:
83% (01:50) correct
17%
(02:18)
wrong
based on 113
sessions
History
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Although most scholars agree that the Black Plague was a massive blight that killed as much as 60% of the European population, some scholars now argue that the plague might have contributed to Europe’s social system in unexpectedly positive ways. These scholars point out that the plague saw no social boundaries and affected noblemen as well as serfs; when the noblemen began to die, their serfs were left free and able to work for themselves. The argument claims that the Black Plague, by wiping out large portions of the land-owning aristocracy across Europe, contributed to the development of the middle class: the now-freed
serfs began developing trades and grew wealthy and powerful over time.
Which of the following, if true, most undermines the claims made by scholars about the positive impact of the Black Plague?
(A) The Black Plague actually struck very few members of the European peasantry, because they had already developed immunity to the infection.
(B) Historians have calculated that more men than women were killed from plague infection between 1340 and 1400.
(C) Some scholars have noticed an increase in pre-industrial productivity immediately after the Black Plague, suggesting a rise in new trades.
(D) The Black Plague weakened the aristocracy to the point of irrelevance in society, in addition to reducing the value of lands by as much as 70%.
(E) Historians have found that a thriving middle class was already in development when the Black Plague first struck Europe in the 1340s.
serfs began developing trades and grew wealthy and powerful over time.
Which of the following, if true, most undermines the claims made by scholars about the positive impact of the Black Plague?
(A) The Black Plague actually struck very few members of the European peasantry, because they had already developed immunity to the infection.
(B) Historians have calculated that more men than women were killed from plague infection between 1340 and 1400.
(C) Some scholars have noticed an increase in pre-industrial productivity immediately after the Black Plague, suggesting a rise in new trades.
(D) The Black Plague weakened the aristocracy to the point of irrelevance in society, in addition to reducing the value of lands by as much as 70%.
(E) Historians have found that a thriving middle class was already in development when the Black Plague first struck Europe in the 1340s.
17 Jul 2021, 04:30
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Bunuel
OFFICIAL EXPLANATION
Overview:
Question offers historical information on the Black Plague, noting that although it destroyed up to 60% of Europe’s population, the Plague might also have provided some positive contributions to European society. The author of the passage cites scholars who argue that the Black Plague, by decimating those who had traditionally ruled Europe, opened the door of opportunity for the development of a European middle class. The question asks students to consider which of the answer choices, if true, most clearly undermines this claim. To select the correct answer, the student must focus on the main point: some scholars argue that the Black Plague contributed to the development of a middle class in Europe. The correct answer choice will provide a reason that calls this claim into question.
The Correct Answer:
E Answer choice (E) makes the claim that a “thriving middle class was already in development when the Black Plague first struck Europe in the 1340s.” If this is true, it strongly undermines the claim that the Black Plague created an opportunity for the development of the middle class in Europe (because, presumably such an opportunity was already there and had been taken advantage of). Answer choice (E) is correct.
The Incorrect Answers:
A The passage states that it was the peasantry, freed from serfdom, who began building businesses and forming a middle class in Europe. Answer choice (A) claims that the Black Plague struck down very few of the peasantry (in contrast to the many members of the aristocracy who died). Far from undermining the passage, it offers secondary information that could be used to support it, so answer choice (A) is incorrect.
B The demographic information of male deaths versus female deaths is not clearly connected to the information in the passage, so it does not undermine the argument made in the passage; it is simply not clearly relevant. Nothing in the passage suggests that it was men only who built the middle class in Europe; even if this were a safe historical assumption, it cannot be assumed from the passage alone. Answer choice (B) cannot be correct.
C Like answer choice (A), answer choice (C) offers information to support the argument presented in the passage. If after the Black Death there was an increase in pre-industrial productivity, indicating a rise in new trades, it would follow that the argument has at least some evidence. Answer choice (C) is incorrect.
D Again, answer choice (D) presents information that strengthens the argument made in the passage by indicating that the aristocracy were weakened and lost the value of their lands during the ravages of the Black Plague. This would have provided freedom for many serfs, as well as given them the opportunity to purchase land at a low price. Answer choice (D) can be eliminated immediately.
General Discussion
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14 Jul 2021, 05:56
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Option E looks like the right answer.
Stem says, A caused B. If I can prove B was already happening when A happened then my reasoning in the stem breaks. Option E does that exactly.
Quote:
This is a weakening type question.
Stem says, A caused B. If I can prove B was already happening when A happened then my reasoning in the stem breaks. Option E does that exactly.
