akela wrote:
In ancient Greece, court witnesses were not crossexamined and the jury, selected from the citizenry, received no guidance on points of law; thus, it was extremely important for litigants to make a good impression on the jurors. For this reason, courtroom oratory by litigants is a good source of data on the common conceptions of morality held by the citizens of ancient Greece.
Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument?
Conclusion- We can learn about common conceptions(of
MORALITY) from the courtroom oratory(by litigants).
As usual, let's start with P.O.E. (Process of Elimination):-
Quote:
(A) Litigants believed jurors were more likely to be impressed by litigants whose personality they preferred.
This choice talks about the personality of a litigant and not about morality.
ELIMINATE Quote:
(B) Litigants believed jurors were more likely to subject the litigants’ personal moral codes to close critical scrutiny than were people who did not sit on juries.
There is a comparison between jurors (What they will do) vs the people who were not jurors. No mention of morality too.
ELIMINATE Quote:
(C) Litigants believed jurors were likely to be impressed by litigants whose professed moral code most resembled their own.
This option says that jurors got impressed when the litigant's morality resembled theirs. Hence, we can now learn about the conceptions of morality held by citizens of ancient Greece because jurors were chosen from these citizens (mentioned in the argument).
HOLD Quote:
(D) Litigants believed jurors to be more impressed by litigants who were of the same economic class as the jurors.
No mention of morality and now the economic conditions of a litigant are being mentioned. Out of Scope.
Eliminate. Quote:
(E) Litigants believed jurors were likely to render their decisions based on a good understanding of the law.
Per the argument, jurors were not guided by the laws. Hence, even if this option is true then it
could go against the premise. "COULD" because it is the belief of a litigant and not the actual fact.
ELIMINATE. Only Option C is left.