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Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr

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phoenix2194
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Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   11 Jul 2022, 05:12
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Historian: A democracy’s citizens must know some history if the democracy is to meet its challenges. However, popular historical awareness is inevitably distorted, for most people learn history through popular narratives that sustain readers’ interest by implying that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history.

The historian’s argument depends on assuming which one of the following?

(A) Historical awareness is distorted by the view that there have been only a few famous heroes or notorious villains.
(B) History cast in the narrative format inevitably distorts historical reality.
(C) Most historical narratives sustain interest by implying that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history.
(D) Only narratives written for a purpose other than sustaining readers’ interest can convey an undistorted awareness of history.
(E) The implication that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history distorts history.
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E
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vv65
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   05 Sep 2022, 01:57
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PREMISE
most people learn history through popular narratives that ... imply that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history

CONCLUSION
popular historical awareness is inevitably distorted

How does this premise lead to this conclusion?
The author believes that the premise leads to the conclusion. He believes that learning history through such narratives leads to a distorted awareness of history.
"Such narratives" = narratives implying that "a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

That is exactly what answer choice (E) says:
E. The implication that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history distorts history

Hope this helps

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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   05 Sep 2022, 02:56
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Rickooreo wrote:
vv65

Thanks for revert, one follow up question

Conclusion:- historical awareness is inevitably distorted.
Premise is most people learn history from narratives

We need to link : History narratives with historical AWARENESS

E doesn't talk about awareness at all

A talks both about historical narratives and awareness + negate A
Historical awareness is NOT distorted by the view that there have been only a few famous heroes or notorious villains.
Conclusion weakens

Can you please help me know where I went wrong

One, your premise is incomplete.
In CR, every word can matter! The part of the premise you omitted is important: "by implying that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

Two, read exactly what (A) says:
Historical awareness is distorted by the view that there have been only a few famous heroes or notorious villains.

The premise isn't "there have been only a few famous heroes or notorious villains". So the problem with (A) is that it does not link to the premise at all.

Note:
I omitted a part of the premise too ("that sustain popular interest by..."). This part is not important and not relevant in finding the assumption. I omitted to make the premise shorter and clearer.

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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   09 Sep 2022, 10:49
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E is already there in argument "implying that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

E can't be an assumption.
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   09 Sep 2022, 11:06
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thakurarun85 wrote:
E is already there in argument "implying that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

E can't be an assumption.

Firstly, (E) is not already stated in the argument. (E) is implied/assumed in the argument, but not stated. That's exactly what an assumption is: something implied but not stated.

Secondly, (E) does not state that "a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

Read what exactly (E) says. Check whether (E) is stated anywhere in the argument.

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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   04 Sep 2022, 23:19
Can you please share official answer / analysis of this question
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   05 Sep 2022, 02:02
vv65 wrote:
PREMISE
most people learn history through popular narratives that ... imply that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history

CONCLUSION
popular historical awareness is inevitably distorted

How does this premise lead to this conclusion?
The author believes that the premise leads to the conclusion. He believes that learning history through such narratives leads to a distorted awareness of history.
"Such narratives" = narratives implying that "a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history".

That is exactly what answer choice (E) says:
E. The implication that a few famous heroes and notorious villains have shaped all of history distorts history

Hope this helps

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vv65

Thanks for revert, one follow up question

Conclusion:- historical awareness is inevitably distorted.
Premise is most people learn history from narratives

We need to link : History narratives with historical AWARENESS

E doesn't talk about awareness at all

A talks both about historical narratives and awareness + negate A
Historical awareness is NOT distorted by the view that there have been only a few famous heroes or notorious villains.
Conclusion weakens

Can you please help me know where I went wrong
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   16 Oct 2022, 07:48
Can somebody please explain, why option A is wrong?

Thanks :)
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink] New post   23 Nov 2023, 18:57
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Re: Historian: A democracys citizens must know some history if the democr [#permalink]
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