Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior

Question

Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior to most other violins? Some experts suggest secret varnishes, but there is no evidence for this. However, climatologists have found that in the 1600s and early 1700s weather patterns in the region of Italy where Stradivarius worked affected tree growth to produce wood with special acoustic properties. Therefore, it is likely that _________________________.

Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?

(A) some other Italian violin makers in the early 1700s produced violins that equaled the quality of Stradivarius violins

(B) Stradivarius was the only violin maker in the early 1700s to use the wood produced in that part of Italy

(C) no violin made from present-day materials could rival a Stradivarius violin for sound quality

(D) the special qualities of Stradivarius violins are due in part to the wood used to make them

(E) Stradivarius did not employ any secret techniques in making his violins

ramlala · Answer

Hi  talehab

In argument, conclusion is not clear whether good quality is because of varnish, good quality of wood or any secret technique.

We can not eliminate the possibility of using secret technique directly without any firm evidence.
So E is OUT.

However, argument ends with "Therefore, it is   likely   that..........."
Here the word likely is important. As the earlier premise mentioned good quality of wood, and violin is made from wood so Author can conclude with another   possibility   based on premise.

I hope this may help you.

CEdward · Answer

Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior to most other violins? Some experts suggest secret varnishes, but there is no evidence for this. However, climatologists have found that in the 1600s and early 1700s weather patterns in the region of Italy where Stradivarius worked affected tree growth to produce wood with special acoustic properties. Therefore, it is likely that _________________________.

Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?

(A) some other Italian violin makers in the early 1700s produced violins that equaled the quality of Stradivarius violins
-irrelevant

(B) Stradivarius was the  only  violin maker in the early 1700s to use the wood produced in that part of Italy

(C) no violin made from present-day materials could rival a Stradivarius violin for sound quality
-completely irrelevant

(D) the special qualities of Stradivarius violins are due in part to the wood used to make them CORRECT

(E) Stradivarius  did not employ  any secret techniques in making his violins
-irrelevant

minalgambhir · Answer

ANSWER CHOICE ANALYSIS

A) Some other Italian violin makers made the same quality - not talked about in the passage, passage only talks about the quality of Stradivarius violin

B) Stradivarius was the only user of wood - can't be implied as nothing is mentioned about the other usages of the wood

C) Violin of present day materials not talked about in the passage

D) COORECT - Special quality is due to the wood - can be inferred

E) Any secret techniques employed - not talked about in the passage

Scuven · Answer

Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior to most other violins? Some experts suggest secret varnishes, but there is no evidence for this. However, climatologists have found that in the 1600s and early 1700s weather patterns in the region of Italy where Stradivarius worked affected tree growth to produce wood with special acoustic properties. Therefore, it is likely that _________________________.

Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?

(A) some other Italian violin makers in the early 1700s produced violins that equaled the quality of Stradivarius violins

Wrong  since there's no evidence nor other relevant facts in the premises that suggest a high probability that other violin makers produced violins of equal quality. We do not even know if there are any other violin makers. 
I also think it's kind of out of scope since the focus is on the violins of S.

(B) Stradivarius was the only violin maker in the early 1700s to use the wood produced in that part of Italy
 Wrong  As told in the previous answer, we do not know anything about other violin makers, nor whether or not they existed. The focus in on violins made by S. So out of scope.

(C) no violin made from present-day materials could rival a Stradivarius violin for sound quality
 Wrong  there's no reason in the premises or information that could validate this.

(D) the special qualities of Stradivarius violins are due in part to the wood used to make them
 RIGHT  because it is supported by the premises. It is probable that wood played a role in the quality
(E) Stradivarius did not employ any secret techniques in making his violins
 Wrong  there's no reason in the premises or information that could validate this.

VerbalBot · Answer

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Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior

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Why are violins made by Stradivarius in the early 1700s far superior

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