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03 Jun 2026, 11:12
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B
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Difficulty:
65%
(hard)
Question Stats:
63% (02:29) correct
38%
(02:36)
wrong
based on 288
sessions
History
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Time
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Not Attempted Yet
Historian: Newton developed mathematical concepts and techniques that are fundamental to modern calculus. Leibniz developed closely analogous concepts and techniques. It has traditionally been thought that these discoveries were independent. Researchers have, however, recently discovered notes of Leibniz’s that discuss one of Newton’s books on mathematics. Several scholars have argued that since the book includes a presentation of Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques, and since the notes were written before Leibniz’s own development of calculus concepts and techniques, it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false. A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz’s notes are limited to early sections of Newton’s book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques are presented.
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position.
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion.
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position.
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position.
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position.
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion.
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position.
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position.
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03 Jun 2026, 21:30
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Historian: Newton developed mathematical concepts and techniques that are fundamental to modern calculus. Leibniz developed closely analogous concepts and techniques. It has traditionally been thought that these discoveries were independent. Researchers have, however, recently discovered notes of Leibniz’s that discuss one of Newton’s books on mathematics. Several scholars have argued that since the book includes a presentation of Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques, and since the notes were written before Leibniz’s own development of calculus concepts and techniques, it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false. A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz’s notes are limited to early sections of Newton’s book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques are presented.
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
The historian describes an argument made by several scholars and then says that argument goes too far. The first boldface is one piece of evidence the scholars use: Newton’s book contained calculus material. The second boldface is the scholars’ conclusion: the traditional view of independent discovery is almost certainly false. The historian criticizes that conclusion because Leibniz’s notes discuss only earlier sections of the book, not the sections containing Newton’s calculus concepts.
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position.
This is incorrect. The first boldface is not a hypothesis; it is presented as evidence used by the scholars.
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion.
This is correct. The first boldface supports the scholars’ conclusion, and the second boldface states that conclusion. The historian then criticizes it as too strong.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion.
This is incorrect. The first supports the scholars’ position, not the historian’s defended position.
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position.
This is incorrect. Both boldfaced portions belong to the scholars’ argument, not to the historian’s own position.
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position.
This reverses the roles. The first is evidence, and the second is the conclusion drawn from it.
Answer: (B)
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
The historian describes an argument made by several scholars and then says that argument goes too far. The first boldface is one piece of evidence the scholars use: Newton’s book contained calculus material. The second boldface is the scholars’ conclusion: the traditional view of independent discovery is almost certainly false. The historian criticizes that conclusion because Leibniz’s notes discuss only earlier sections of the book, not the sections containing Newton’s calculus concepts.
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position.
This is incorrect. The first boldface is not a hypothesis; it is presented as evidence used by the scholars.
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion.
This is correct. The first boldface supports the scholars’ conclusion, and the second boldface states that conclusion. The historian then criticizes it as too strong.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion.
This is incorrect. The first supports the scholars’ position, not the historian’s defended position.
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position.
This is incorrect. Both boldfaced portions belong to the scholars’ argument, not to the historian’s own position.
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position.
This reverses the roles. The first is evidence, and the second is the conclusion drawn from it.
Answer: (B)
12 Jun 2026, 02:14
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1st Boldface - The book includes a presentation of Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques,
2nd Boldface - it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false,
Main Conclusion - The historian's views are mentioned in the last lines of the passage where the historian cautions about the premature conclusion mentioned in the 2nd boldface. That is the main conclusion of the argument as a whole - "A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz’s notes are limited to early sections of Newton’s book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques are presented."
1. Role played by each boldface -
a. The first is an evidence or a fact.
b. The second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that evidence, and not the main conclusion of the argument.
2. Relationship between the two-
a. The two go in the same direction
3. Relationship vis-a-vis the conclusion
a. Both the boldfaces are not in the same direction as the conclusion - This can be inferred by the historian stating that 'A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however....'
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position. -- 1st boldface is not advanced as a hypothesis. It is a fact basis which the author has drawn a conclusion (2nd boldface) but that is not the main conclusion. ELIMINATE
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion. 1st boldface is evidence - CORRECT; used to support a conclusion - CORRECT; that the historian criticizes - CORRECT; 2nd boldface is that conclusion - CORRECT . KEEP THIS CHOICE.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion; 1st boldface is evidence - CORRECT; in support of an intermediate conclusion... - INCORRECT - The intermediate conclusion and the main conclusion are supposed to be in same direction. In this argument, the historian cautions against the premature conclusion and thus the 2nd boldface can't be referred to as intermediate conclusion. ELIMINATE
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position. 1st boldface provides evidence - CORRECT; in support of the position that the historian defends - INCORRECT - the historian does not defend the position but criticizes it. ELIMINATE
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position. 1st boldface is not the position taken by the argument - hence INCORRECT choice. ELIMINATE
2nd Boldface - it is virtually certain that the traditional view is false,
Main Conclusion - The historian's views are mentioned in the last lines of the passage where the historian cautions about the premature conclusion mentioned in the 2nd boldface. That is the main conclusion of the argument as a whole - "A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however. Leibniz’s notes are limited to early sections of Newton’s book, sections that precede the ones in which Newton’s calculus concepts and techniques are presented."
1. Role played by each boldface -
a. The first is an evidence or a fact.
b. The second is a conclusion drawn on the basis of that evidence, and not the main conclusion of the argument.
2. Relationship between the two-
a. The two go in the same direction
3. Relationship vis-a-vis the conclusion
a. Both the boldfaces are not in the same direction as the conclusion - This can be inferred by the historian stating that 'A more cautious conclusion than this is called for, however....'
In the historian’s reasoning, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?
A. The first is a claim that has been advanced as a hypothesis in arguing for the position the historian rejects; the second is that position. -- 1st boldface is not advanced as a hypothesis. It is a fact basis which the author has drawn a conclusion (2nd boldface) but that is not the main conclusion. ELIMINATE
B. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion that the historian criticizes; the second is that conclusion. 1st boldface is evidence - CORRECT; used to support a conclusion - CORRECT; that the historian criticizes - CORRECT; 2nd boldface is that conclusion - CORRECT . KEEP THIS CHOICE.
C. The first provides evidence in support of an intermediate conclusion drawn in order to support the position that the historian defends; the second is that intermediate conclusion; 1st boldface is evidence - CORRECT; in support of an intermediate conclusion... - INCORRECT - The intermediate conclusion and the main conclusion are supposed to be in same direction. In this argument, the historian cautions against the premature conclusion and thus the 2nd boldface can't be referred to as intermediate conclusion. ELIMINATE
D. The first provides evidence in support of the position that the historian defends; the second provides evidence to support that position. 1st boldface provides evidence - CORRECT; in support of the position that the historian defends - INCORRECT - the historian does not defend the position but criticizes it. ELIMINATE
E. The first is the position taken by the argument; the second is evidence that has been used to support that position. 1st boldface is not the position taken by the argument - hence INCORRECT choice. ELIMINATE
