The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes

Question

The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes of the 1st century A.D. Because it was written by Roman historian Tacitus, the book gives us a better idea of the Germanic culture of the time that the texts written by members of the tribes. Its quality derives from the objectivity attained by the foreign observer.

The argument above depends on the assumption that _____________.

A) the Germanic tribes were in regular contact with the people of Rome.

B) a foreign observer has few pre-existing biased that would impact his perception.

C) the Germanic tribe wrote in a language that can be understood by the modern Germans.

D)Tacitus was explicit in describing his writings as a historical account.

E) Roman historians have written the best historical accounts available today.

OE after discussion

semwal · Accepted Answer

The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes of the 1st century A.D. Because it was written by Roman historian Tacitus, the book gives us a better idea of the Germanic culture of the time that the texts written by members of the tribes. Its quality derives from the objectivity attained by the foreign observer.

ASSUMPTIONS ARE-
1. BOOK GIVING BETTER IDEA OF A CULTURE IS GOOD QUALITY BOOK...
2. FOREIGN OBSERVER CAN GIVE BETTER OBJECTIVITY...BETTER OBJECTIVITY WILL GIVE BETTER IDEA OF THE CULTURE
3. MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE CANNOT BE AS OBJECTIVE.....

The argument above depends on the assumption that _____________.

A) the Germanic tribes were in regular contact with the people of Rome.... IRRELEVANT

B) a foreign observer has few pre-existing biased that would impact his perception. CORRECT

C) the Germanic tribe wrote in a language that can be understood by the modern Germans MAY NOT BE REQUIRED .

D)Tacitus was explicit in describing his writings as a historical account. EXPLICITIVITY IS NOT IMPORTANT HERE

E) Roman historians have written the best historical accounts available today. CAN'T GENERALISE...

KUDOS IF YOU PLEASE........

samsmalldog · Answer

IMO B

Background:The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes of the 1st century A.D.

Premise:Because it was written by Roman historian Tacitus,

Conclusion:the book gives us a better idea of the Germanic culture of the time that the texts written by members of the tribes.   Its quality derives from the objectivity attained by the foreign observer.

Only B logically connects the premise and conclusion.

B) a foreign observer has  few pre-existing biased  that would impact his perception.

Gnpth · Answer

Official Explanation :

A) It is not an assumptions on which the argument depends because "Regular" Contact between the Germans and Romans is not required.

B) It is the correct answer, since the argument tells us that the Germania is superior to other tribes because it was written by outsiders, thereby granting it more objectivity. We need a solution that links this objectivity and cultural outsider. And this options shows this by stating that foreign observer has pre-existing biases that would impact his perception.

C) The Early germanic language needs to be decipherable by someone like scholars not the modern germans- So wrong.

D) Tacitus might never have intended his work to be seen by anyone but himself. It still can be accurate regardless of whether he explicitly labelled it a historical account.

E) It would be still be a valid argument even if Tacitus's is the only good historical account written by Romans.

So correct Answer is B.

evdo · Answer

"Because it was written by Roman historian Tacitus, the book gives us a better idea of the Germanic culture of the time  that   the texts written by members of the tribes"

Should "that" be "than"?

Konstantin1983 · Answer

Yes i agree. Moreover Germania should be "Germania". Actually i don't understand B. What does it say? How biases impact perception? Looks like this is a self-made question

Kingsman · Answer

The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes of the 1st century A.D. Because it was written by Roman historian Tacitus, the book gives us a better idea of the Germanic culture of the time that the texts written by members of the tribes. Its quality derives from the objectivity attained by the foreign observer.

IMO the answer is B. 
Here according to my understanding of the passage logics. 
The conclusion is " Its quality derives from the  objectivity  attained by the foreign observer". It is a causality conclusion- A causes B. Therefore, we have to prove:
Because of A, B happens
B does not cause A.
There is no other causes to make B happen.

The argument above depends on the assumption that _____________.

A) the Germanic tribes were in regular contact with the people of Rome.
--> OFS
B) a foreign observer has few pre-existing biased that would impact his perception.
--> pre-existing biases are <50%. Negate this statement we have pre-existing biases >50%, which makes the account is no longer objective.
C) the Germanic tribe wrote in a language that can be understood by the modern Germans. 
--> Irrelevant
D)Tacitus was explicit in describing his writings as a historical account.
--->OFS
E) Roman historians have written the best historical accounts available today.
--> OFS

HSogani · Answer

GMATNinja  please explain

thakurarun85 · Answer

Yes I think it should be Than.

Maheshkv · Answer

I don't think the question is well framed, If the foreigner has bias then why would that be assumption to say it is better work than the tribe members themselves

VerbalBot · Answer

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The Germania is a description of the Germanic tribes

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