Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alpha

The OA is D. I've attached a screenshot with explanation.

Hey everyone,

A tricky CR question. The difficulty level is significantly higher.

Let us understand the position that the argument is trying to establish. It is that greeks adoped the phonenician style of writing, although contrary opinions are held.

So both the bold face text are trying to support the position and not challenge it. Therefore, option A,B & C are out. Option E is out because the second bold face segment is not the position. The position is expressed from 'After all,....direction of text'. Hence Option D is the right answer.

The OA is D. But the discussion says it is B. My pick is D. Could you please explain.

Hi bjp2007,

The first thing you need to do in a BF question is identify the Main Conclusion (MC) of the argument. So, let's do so by reading and understanding the argument carefully:

Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C., the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right indicates that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced. After all, the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text. And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.


1. Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C.,
- the author basically says that (even though) some particular inscriptions date from the 8th century BC. "Although" marks a contrast, so the author will go in a different line of thought as we read further.

2. the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right
- In this part, the author says that the fact that the text in these inscriptions run sometimes in one direction and at other times in the other direction...

3. indicates that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced.
- OK. So, basically the author links the directions of the text to make a statement and says that this whole direction bit shows or indicates something. In other words, on the basis of the fact about the directions, the author says that the people who wrote the inscriptions, the Greeks, adopted the alphabetic writing - the inscriptions are written in this form - at least two centuries before these inscriptions were actually written. So, this is the author's opinion.

Now pause over here for a moment. You need to understand the timing aspect given in statement 3 carefully. Since we are dealing with BC and not AD, the regression in centuries will be counted forward - that is if we take the 8th century BC as the base point, then 2 centuries earlier is the 10th century BC and NOT the 6th century BC.

So basically, the author concludes that from the two different directions of the text, it is indicated that the Greeks adopted the alphabetic writing either around the 10th century BC or before it.

Let's move forward.

4. After all, the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text.
- Look at the keywords "After all". They should tell you that the author is carrying on in the same line of thought and is likely to share some reason for the conclusion drawn in statement 3. In this part, the author says that the Greeks adopted this form of writing from another set of people, and supposedly, alongwith the form, the Greeks also adopted the manner (direction-wise) in which this form was being written by those people at the time of adoption (notice then-current portion in the statement).

5. And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.
- The author carries on in the same direction (notice the use of the word "and" in the beginning). He says that even though these people (from whom the Greeks adopted the whole thing) wrote the text in an inconsistent way originally, by the 8th century BC they had been writing consistently for about two centuries. So, timing-wise, this means that from some-time in the 10th century they fixed the direction of the text and carried it on in one direction only. Now, this information makes the author's conclusion more believable - before 10th century.

So, timing-wise this is what we get:

Phonecians originally inconsistent----Greeks adopt writing form alongwith the inconsistent direction ---- sometime in 10th century Phonecians fix direction ---- 8th century Greek inscriptions written.

Now, when you look back at the analysis, you see that practically everything in the argument, except for statement no.1, helps the author draw the conclusion given in statement 3. The two bold-face portions also fall in the reason/support category.


Choice D says just the same and is, hence, correct.

You should be able to discount B after going through the above analysis. However, do let me know if you get stuck somewhere.

Cheers!

Conclusion: The Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced

It’s very important to isolate conclusion in the boldface statements. Once done it becomes very easy to see where the argument is going.

If we read the entire stimulus it indicates that both the boldface statements supports the premise.

Although second boldface statement starts with “although” it doesn’t go against the conclusion. Infact, this is a counter premise which is used to prove that by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.

Step 1: Read question stem to determine question type (In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?)
This is a Structure question (aka Boldface question)

Step 2: Read the passage

Step 3: Identify the premises and conclusion

Step 4: Using GENERIC LANGUAGE, summarize the roles played by the boldfaced portions (do this BEFORE examining the answer choices)

Step 5: Find an answer choice that matches your summary.

PREMISE: Earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written eighth century B.C
PREMISE: Writing goes left to right AND right to left
PREMISE: Phoenicians USED to both ways, but started writing ONLY right to left in tenth century B.C.
CONCLUSION: Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries BEFORE the inscriptions were produced

Here's my summary;
The first part is a premise that supports the conclusion. The second part is also a premise that supports the conclusion.

Check the answer choices.....only answer choice D matches.

Answer: D

Cheers,
Brent

Let’s understand the details of the argument.

1) the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C.
2) But the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right
indicates that

Conclusion- the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced.

3) After all, the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text.
4) And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.

The conclusion of the argument is that the Greeks adopted writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions (Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C.) were produced.
The first and the second BF statements are details or evidence that support the conclusion.

Let’s examine the options now.

(A) The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the position that the argument seeks to establish.

Even though the first and the second each describe evidence, they are not used to challenge the main point of the conclusion. Instead, they are used to support the main point of the conclusion. Eliminate A

(B) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.

The first is not evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the main point/ conclusion of the argument. Both the first and the second BF statements provide support to the main point that the argument seeks to establish. Eliminate B

(C) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence

Same as B. Eliminate C.

(D) The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish.

The conclusion/main point of the argument is that although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C, the Greeks adopted writing at least two centuries before the eighth century B.C.The first and the second BF statements are details or evidence that support the conclusion. Hence D is the correct answer.

(E) The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.

The second is not the main point of the argument. Eliminate E


Vishnupriya
CrackVerbal Prep Team

S1: F , +ve
S2:F, +ve
Conclusion Greek learnt from P.
Both of them are fact/evidence and both support the conclusion.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the position that the argument seeks to establish.
Challenge eliminate
(B) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.
Objection eliminate
(C) The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence.
Objection eliminate
(D) The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish.
Right.
(E) The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.
2nd is also fact so no position or opinion here. eliminate

— 1st bold face statement provides the evidence for the conclusion that is written immediately after the 1 bf statement.
— Second bold face statement provides another reasoning to support the same conclusion mentioned after the 1st bf statement.

Only D provides the answer that both boldface statements supports the conclusion.