Arguing that there was no

Answer choices

1. A

   Opposing Idea5% picked this

   Evidence for the existence of trade between Europe and East Asia in the early Middle Ages is, like evidence for the existence

   The author grants this fact, but points out that the absence of evidence is not definitive evidence for non-existence, and that latter claim is the conclusion.

   5%
2. B

   Too Strong: necessary1% picked this

   In order to prove that in the early Middle Ages there was trade between Europe and East Asia it is necessary to find both

   The argument does not suggest that both types of evidence are needed to prove the existence of trade, but rather challenges the idea that lack of evidence discredits the existence.

   1%
3. C

   Correct90% picked this

   That trade between Europe and East Asia did not exist in the early Middle Ages cannot be established simply by the absence of a

   Why this is right

   This choice nicely captures the main conclusion of the argument, matching the idea that absence of evidence does not confirm non-existence.

   Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   90%
4. D

   Too Strong: only1% picked this

   The view that there was trade between Europe and East Asia in the early Middle Ages can only be disproved by showing that no

   This choice suggests a requirement for disproving trade which is not the argument's focus. The argument is saying a lack of records is not sufficient to disprove the view. This answer is saying that a lack of records is required to disprove the view.

   1%
5. E

   Unsupported Comparison3% picked this

   There is no more evidence that trade between Europe and East Asia existed in the early Middle Ages than there

   The conclusion has nothing to do with the yeti, so this should be off-putting at a glance. The argument never makes a comparison about there being more/less evidence for trade than for the yeti.

   3%