ExplanationProfessor Aminova’s conclusion:Her students’ habit of starting conclusions with
“Therefore” was not acquired from her, but from Professor Karimov, because Karimov strongly emphasizes using
“Therefore” in second-year writing courses.
Evidence:-Most of her students do it.
-Karimov teaches second-year writing.
-She and Karimov are the only instructors teaching required writing in the first and second year.
Find what will strengthenWe want evidence supporting that Karimov is indeed the source, not Aminova or some other source.
(A) When teaching at another university, she didn’t see this habit.Not directly relevant, maybe those students had different second-year professors. Doesn’t show Karimov is the source here.
(B) Her first-year students rarely use “Therefore,” but her second-year students (who all took Karimov’s class) use it frequently.This suggests a clear link: after taking Karimov’s class, students pick up the habit. It supports that Karimov is the cause, not her. Strengthens.
(C) Karimov discourages “Thus” and “Hence,” pushes “Therefore.”This explains how he could instill the habit, but doesn’t prove students got it from him rather than from her. Mild strengthener, but not as direct as B.
(D) Some may have picked it up in high school.This weakens her conclusion by providing an alternate cause.
(E) Second-year students write more essays.Irrelevant to the source of the habit; could mean more practice but doesn’t tie to Karimov.
Answer: B