16Hit1600
Expression of IdeasVery hardGeneralisation supported by two discoveries

Expression of Ideas practice question

While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: - In the early 1900s a lost Roman play was found in the binding of a monastery book, where its pages had been used as scrap. - In 2013 a medieval poem was found inside the cover of a later book, also reused as binding material. - Both texts had been unknown to scholars until they were found.

The student wants to make a generalisation about how lost texts survive and support it with both examples. Which choice most effectively uses relevant information from the notes to accomplish this goal?

  1. A. Lost texts sometimes survive only by accident, as scrap: a Roman play turned up in a monastery binding, and a medieval poem inside the cover of a later book.Correct
  2. B. The Roman play was found in the early 1900s and the medieval poem in 2013.
  3. C. A lost Roman play was found in the binding of a monastery book.
  4. D. The poem's discovery in 2013 shows that every lost text will eventually be found.

Answer: A. Lost texts sometimes survive only by accident, as scrap: a Roman play turned up in a monastery binding, and a medieval poem inside the cover of a later book.

A general claim followed by both examples — choice A.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The Roman play was found in the early 1900s and the medieval poem in 2013.
Two dates, no generalisation.
C. A lost Roman play was found in the binding of a monastery book.
One example only.
D. The poem's discovery in 2013 shows that every lost text will eventually be found.
A generalisation from one case, and 'every lost text' goes far beyond the notes.

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