16Hit1600
Information and IdeasHardInference about a ship's log

Information and Ideas practice question

The ship's log records fair winds and steady progress until 14 March, after which the entries stop for eleven days and resume in a different hand, with the ship four hundred miles off its course. A historian reading the log would most reasonably infer that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. something befell the ship and its captain during the gap, and another officer took over the log.Correct
  2. B. the ship was in port for eleven days.
  3. C. the captain simply forgot to write the log.
  4. D. the weather remained fair throughout.

Answer: A. something befell the ship and its captain during the gap, and another officer took over the log.

A gap, a new hand, and a ship far off course.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the ship was in port for eleven days.
Being far off course does not suggest a port call.
C. the captain simply forgot to write the log.
A new hand and a changed course point to more than forgetfulness.
D. the weather remained fair throughout.
The change in course suggests otherwise.

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