16Hit1600
Craft and StructureHardStructure of a passage that overturns an assumption

Craft and Structure practice question

It is tempting to assume that the medieval scribe who left a blank space for a capital letter simply forgot to finish. But blanks of exactly this kind appear in dozens of manuscripts from the same workshop, always at the start of a section, and always with a tiny guide letter in the margin. Far from being lapses, the blanks were part of a system: the text was written first, and the decorated capitals were added later by a different hand.

Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?

  1. A. It states a common assumption, presents evidence against it, and offers a different explanation.Correct
  2. B. It describes a manuscript, then lists its owners.
  3. C. It compares two workshops' methods.
  4. D. It argues that scribes were careless, then gives examples.

Answer: A. It states a common assumption, presents evidence against it, and offers a different explanation.

Assumption, evidence, alternative explanation.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. It describes a manuscript, then lists its owners.
No owners are listed.
C. It compares two workshops' methods.
Only one workshop.
D. It argues that scribes were careless, then gives examples.
The text argues against carelessness.

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