Craft and StructureHardMain purpose of a text about confident labels
Craft and Structure practice question
Museums label their ancient pots with dates precise to a decade, and visitors take the precision on trust. In fact most such dates rest on the style of the decoration, matched against a handful of pots found alongside datable coins. The labels are not wrong, exactly; they are more confident than the evidence beneath them.
What is the main purpose of the text?
- A. To show that the apparent precision of museum dates rests on thinner evidence than visitors assume.Correct
- B. To argue that museums should remove dates from their labels.
- C. To explain how ancient coins are dated.
- D. To praise museums for the care of their research.
Answer: A. To show that the apparent precision of museum dates rests on thinner evidence than visitors assume.
The text contrasts the labels' precision with the slender evidence behind it, ending with 'more confident than the evidence beneath them'.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. To argue that museums should remove dates from their labels.
- The text says the labels are 'not wrong, exactly'; it doesn't call for their removal.
- C. To explain how ancient coins are dated.
- Coins are mentioned as the anchor for dating pots, not explained.
- D. To praise museums for the care of their research.
- The text questions the labels rather than praising the research.
More Craft and Structure questions
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Which choice best describes the function of the underlined final sentence in the text as a whole? - Hard
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text? - Hard
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? - Hard
Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word? - Hard
What is the main purpose of the text?
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