16Hit1600
Information and IdeasHardEvidence that would weaken a claim

Information and Ideas practice question

A historian claims that the town's medieval market declined because a rival market opened in a neighbouring town in 1380.

Which finding, if true, would most directly weaken the historian's claim?

  1. A. Records show that the town's market had already lost most of its traders by 1370.Correct
  2. B. The rival market was held on a different day of the week.
  3. C. The neighbouring town was two hours' walk away.
  4. D. The town's market charter was granted in 1250.

Answer: A. Records show that the town's market had already lost most of its traders by 1370.

A decline that began before the rival existed cannot have been caused by it.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The rival market was held on a different day of the week.
A different day might even reduce the rivalry, but it does not show the decline had another cause.
C. The neighbouring town was two hours' walk away.
Distance alone does not undermine the claim.
D. The town's market charter was granted in 1250.
When the charter was granted is irrelevant.

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