The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do n

Question

The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. The most compelling evidence for this view is that the existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

Which one of the following statements, if added to the argument, most helps to justify its conclusion?

(A) Works that contain frequent references to other works tend to be derivative.

(B) Many extant works have laudable things to say about the missing works.

(C) A -surprisingly large number of ancient texts have been irretrievably lost.

(D) Subversive ideas tend to be suppressed whenever they are proposed.

(E) Most current ideas regarded as original were already proposed in ancient times.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

This is a Strengthen the Argument type of question.

The conclusion of the passage is that the existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. 
This conclusion is based on the premise that the existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

We are looking for some extra information to bolster the idea that the existing works do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. Option A provides that information. The word ‘derivative’ in the option supports the idea that the work is not original when it contains frequent references to other works. So, A is the best of all the options.

Praising some work doesn’t necessarily mean that it is derived from or based on that piece of work. Since Option B doesn’t provide information to show that existing works are not the most original, it can be eliminated.

Option C does not provide information to show the existing works do not represent the most original works produced in ancient times. This option only mention that some texts have been irretrievable lost. Those texts might very well have been copies of or derived from the existing works or they may not be connected to the existing works in any way. So, Option C can also be eliminated.

Option D is completely irrelevant to the argument. So, Option D can be eliminated.

Option E provides generalized information. The argument is about works that refer to other works that we no longer have. The option, on the other hand, mentions ideas, which could be used in any form. So, Option E can be eliminated.

Therefore, A is the most appropriate option.

Jayanthi Kumar.

Harsh9676 · Answer

Break Down Sentences:

1. The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. >> Opinion and the main conclusion of the author

The most compelling evidence for this view is that the existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have. >> Premise Supporting the Opinion

Gap: Existing works' reference to other works = Most original Work?

Assumption: To qualify for a most original work, the existing works should not refer to works from ancient times.

Which one of the following statements, if added to the argument, most helps to justify its conclusion? >> strengthen Question

(A) Works that contain frequent references to other works tend to be derivative. >> BINGO (It tells that the referenced works are derivative)

(B) Many extant works have laudable things to say about the missing works. >> Missing works is Out of Scope

(C) A -surprisingly large number of ancient texts have been irretrievably lost. >> But how is it adding any support to the conclusion? . it is just stating some fact unrelated to the conclusion.

(D) Subversive ideas tend to be suppressed whenever they are proposed. >> First of all Subversive ideas ??, there is no link to Existing works? Even if we assume Subversive ideas = Existing works, this choice is a weakener.

(E) Most current ideas regarded as original were already proposed in ancient times. >> It may seem to be the correct choice if read without a thought, since the choice states - if all current ideas are proposed earlier, then the current ideas are not original. However, it is just restating the premise and the word ideas is too broad.

akadiyan · Answer

The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. The most compelling evidence for this view is that the existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

Which one of the following statements, if added to the argument, most helps to justify its conclusion?

Analysis  :
Conclusion - The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times.

Premise - The most compelling evidence for this view is that the existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

We need a statement that supports the author's standpoint.

(A) Works that contain frequent references to other works tend to be derivative.-   CORRECT  
From the question stem we know that the passage in question refers to other works and based on this choice , we know that the existing work is a derivative of a work that is lost. So work refered to in existing ancient works is not the most original work.

(B) Many extant works have laudable things to say about the missing works.-   INCORRECT  
This does not support author's conclusion

(C) A -surprisingly large number of ancient texts have been irretrievably lost.-   INCORRECT  
This may be right, but does not provide information related to our conclusion

(D) Subversive ideas tend to be suppressed whenever they are proposed -   INCORRECT  
This is out of scope for our discussion

(E) Most current ideas regarded as original were already proposed in ancient times   INCORRECT  
This information is a general statement with regards to all the work in current time and does not support our conclusion

Ans   A

rashwiniyer · Answer

Here the passage talks about the representative of the original work. Isn't the derivative a representative of the original work?

Ghoskrp3 · Answer

The conclusion we are to bolster is " The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy    do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times."

and I confused between A & C

if A is true:    then what we get is, since the work is mostly derivative, hence we don't get the representation of the original work produced in ancient times.    Which means just like a Chinese whisper the work has been re-written many times over losing the original value over time,    but surely can be analyzed and reconstructed for sure as we still have the ancient texts to refer to

but if C is true:    if the work is   irretrievably lost then, we will never get the original work, means the conclusion will become something like,    "    will never represent    the most original work produced in ancient times   "

Hence A

vasu1104 · Answer

existing work of ancient literature do not represent the most original work produced in ancient times. 
 reason- existing works frequently refer to other works that we no longer have.

(A) Works that contain frequent references to other works tend to be derivative.
if they are already derived from other and when you dont have reference to comapre, we can say that they dont represent the most original work of ancient time.
here is the chain: 
 existing work refers to work we dont have.
work that we have is derived from other ( so basically not original work) 
 thats why existing work doesnt represent most original work.

(B) Many extant works have laudable things to say about the missing works.
this is irrelevant.

(C) A -surprisingly large number of ancient texts have been irretrievably lost.
but till they can relate to existing work in some way. and if they are lost we cant say with certainty that they dont refer to original work of ancient time, reject.

(D) Subversive ideas tend to be suppressed whenever they are proposed.
here they are not trying to suppress things. so reject.

(E) Most current ideas regarded as original were already proposed in ancient times.
then they should have been considered as representative of original but they are not. so this actually weaken i feel

The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do n

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

The existing works of ancient literature, science, and philosophy do n

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards