Arguing that there was no

Answer choices

1. A

   Strengthens (if anything)16% picked this

   Most of the evidence for the existence of trade between Europe and East Asia in the early Middle Ages is archaeological and therefore

   The fact that most evidence for trade doesn't involve written records would seem to help the author argue that a lack of written records isn't a significant sign of whether there was trade.

   16%
2. B

   Mixed Impact5% picked this

   Although written records of trade in East Asia in the early Middle Ages survived, there are almost no European documents from that

   The fact that there are almost no European documents from that period mentioning trade helps the author argue that "a lack of written records about trade between Europe and East Asia isn't significant; after all there aren't written records about ANYONE they traded with". But the first half of the answer hurts the author. There ARE written records from East Asia, and since we know from the evidence that none of them mention trade within Europe, that would make it seem like they weren't trading with Europe.

   5%
3. C

   No Impact1% picked this

   Any trade between Europe and East Asia in the early Middle Ages would necessarily have been of very low volume and would have involved

   Even if trade was of very low volume and involved only high-priced items, this doesn't directly address whether written records' absence is more indicative of trade not existing. It doesn't counter the analogy effectively.

   1%
4. D

   Opposite Impact (Strengthens)8% picked this

   There have been no confirmed sightings of the yeti, but there is indirect evidence, such as footprints, which if it is accepted as

   This option reinforces the argument, providing an example that would help the author say, "even there are no direct sightings of the yeti, it could still be real!"

   8%
5. E

   Correct70% picked this

   There are surviving European and East Asian written records from the early Middle Ages that do not mention trade between the two regions but

   Why this is right

   This answer identifies that there are existing records that, if trade had occurred, would have likely mentioned it. Therefore, their silence is more telling of trade's absence than the lack of confirmed yeti sightings is of the yeti's non-existence. This directly addresses and weakens the argument by showing that the analogy isn't parallel.

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

   70%