Some archeologists hypothesize that Irish monks were the first

Question

Some archeologists hypothesize that Irish monks were the first Europeans to reach North America, roughly 100 years before the Vikings. The Irish monks, it is believed, crossed the Atlantic in boats constructed primarily of leather, in order to find isolation and solitude, and some of them might have settled with the Native Americans. Unfortunately, no physical evidence has been found to support this theory.

Which of the following, if true, best supports the hypothesis of these archeologists, taking into account the paucity of physical evidence?

A Archeologists now believe that the Vikings went to North America 50 years earlier than had been previously thought.
B Viking longboats were much faster and sturdier than Irish leather-bound boats.
C Leather tends to rot after only a couple of decades.
D Anthropologists have found no evidence of any Irish words or expressions in the languages of modern-day North America.
E Concrete, physical evidence of Viking settlements have been discovered only in Newfoundland, Canada.

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Abhiswarup · Answer

Answer should be C.

Passage says Irish Monks have reached North America before vikings. It also deliberates that they have crossed Atlantic on leather boats for isolation & solitude and have settled with Native Americans but no evidence is available for the same.

Lets analyze the statements:
A Archeologists now believe that the Vikings went to North America 50 years earlier than had been previously thought.
This will not conclude whether Irish Monks went before Vikings. Eliminate.
B Viking longboats were much faster and sturdier than Irish leather-bound boats.
This supports the claim that Irish went before Vikings as with evolution Viking used long & faster boats in comparison to leather bound boats. Lets keep this option.
C Leather tends to rot after only a couple of decades.
Factual information. eliminate
D Anthropologists have found no evidence of any Irish words or expressions in the languages of modern-day North America.
Lack of evidence and hence can't conclude whether Irish Monks went before Vikings. Eliminate.
E Concrete, physical evidence of Viking settlements have been discovered only in Newfoundland, Canada.
Factual information about vikings no support to the claim of Irish came to North America before Vikings. Eliminate.

Hence answer should be B.

Dereno · Answer

Let’s analyse the question stem before diving deep into the answer options.

There is a theory put forth by some archeologists- “  that Irish monks were the first Europeans to reach North America, roughly 100 years before the Vikings.”.  They further say that Irish monks travelled using leather boats, and it’s believed to be some settling with native American’s. The author concludes that he has NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE to corroborate this theory.

We need to look for options which STRENGHTEN the theory. Only physical evidence cited is the leather boats.

A Archeologists now believe that the Vikings went to North America 50 years earlier than had been previously thought.

They believe it now. So a belief cannot support until it’s proven . Hence, out of scope.

B Viking longboats were much faster and sturdier than Irish leather-bound boats.

Comparison between Viking boats and Leather boats. This doesn’t provide concrete conclusive evidences. Hence out of scope.

C  Leather tends to rot after only a couple of decades.

The leather boats which were used by Irish monks would have rotten over decades eventually leading to the destruction of physical evidences which are required now to prove the theory. Hence, this supports the reason behind the paucity of the physical evidences.

D Anthropologists have found no evidence of any Irish words or expressions in the languages of modern-day North America.

It just reinforces the fact that physical evidences are not present. Hence out of scope.

E Concrete, physical evidence of Viking settlements have been discovered only in Newfoundland, Canada.

We don’t want Viking settlements. The question in passage demands answers pertaining to Irish monks. Hence out of scope.

Bunuel · Answer

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

This is a Strengthen the Argument question. We need to find the answer choice that supports the idea that these Irish came to North America, but did not leave physical evidence of these voyages.  C is the best answer.  If their boats rotted away, there would be no evidence left today.

Su1206 · Answer

Dear Experts, no doubt that C is the best answer of the 5 options.

I feel C does a good job to establish 'Why there is no evidence of Irish monks settling in america'. It miserably fails to prove that Irish people reached there before vikings.

The question stem does not ask us to find reason for 'paucity of evidence' but for supporting the archeologist's claims.

Some archeologists hypothesize that Irish monks were the first

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Some archeologists hypothesize that Irish monks were the first

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