16Hit1600
Information and IdeasHardInference from a gap in medieval accounts

Information and Ideas practice question

The monastery's accounts for 1340 record a large purchase of candles in every month except August, when they record no purchases at all. The chronicle for that year mentions a fire. Taken together, these suggest that ____

Which choice most logically completes the text?

  1. A. the fire occurred in August and disrupted the monastery's normal routine.Correct
  2. B. the monastery stopped using candles after 1340.
  3. C. the accounts for August were written by a different monk.
  4. D. the fire was caused by candles.

Answer: A. the fire occurred in August and disrupted the monastery's normal routine.

A month with no purchases, and a fire in the same year.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. the monastery stopped using candles after 1340.
Purchases resumed in other months.
C. the accounts for August were written by a different monk.
Nothing about the writer is stated.
D. the fire was caused by candles.
The cause of the fire is not indicated.

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