Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C., the fact that the...
GMAT Critical Reasoning : (CR) Questions
Source: Official Guide
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Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C., the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right indicates that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced. After all, the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians, and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text. And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.
In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?
Solution
Understanding the Passage
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
| "Although the earliest surviving Greek inscriptions written in an alphabet date from the eighth century B.C." |
|
| (Boldface 1) "the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right" |
|
| "indicates that the Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before these inscriptions were produced" |
|
| "After all, the Greeks learned alphabetic writing from the Phoenicians" |
|
| "and presumably, along with the alphabet, they also adopted the then-current Phoenician practice with respect to the direction of text" |
|
| (Boldface 2) "And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries." |
|
Overall Structure
The author is presenting an argument to prove that Greeks adopted alphabetic writing much earlier than the surviving evidence suggests. The logic flows: inconsistent direction in 800 B.C. Greek inscriptions + consistent Phoenician direction by 800 B.C. = Greeks must have learned writing when Phoenicians were still inconsistent (before 600 B.C.).
Main Conclusion: The Greeks adopted alphabetic writing at least two centuries before the eighth century B.C. inscriptions were produced.
Boldface Segments
- Boldface 1: the fact that the text of these Greek inscriptions sometimes runs from right to left and sometimes from left to right
- Boldface 2: And although Phoenician writing was originally inconsistent in direction, by the eighth century B.C. Phoenician was consistently written from right to left and had been for about two centuries.
Boldface Understanding
Boldface 1:
- Function: Provides the key evidence about Greek inscriptions that supports the author's dating conclusion
- Direction: Supports the author's conclusion (same direction)
Boldface 2:
- Function: Provides crucial information about Phoenician writing practices that completes the logical chain
- Direction: Supports the author's conclusion (same direction)
Structural Classification
Boldface 1:
- Structural Role: Primary evidence for the main conclusion
- Predicted Answer Patterns: "evidence supporting the conclusion" or "observation that supports the author's position"
Boldface 2:
- Structural Role: Supporting evidence that enables the logical inference
- Predicted Answer Patterns: "additional evidence supporting the conclusion" or "information that helps establish the reasoning"
Answer Choices Explained
A
The first and the second each describe evidence that has been used to challenge the position that the argument seeks to establish.
Both boldface statements actually support the argument's conclusion rather than challenging it. The first boldface provides key evidence about inconsistent Greek writing direction, and the second provides supporting information about Phoenician practices that strengthens the argument's logic.
B
The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.
The first boldface doesn't object to the argument's position; it's the main evidence supporting it. The second boldface is not the main conclusion but rather supporting evidence about Phoenician writing practices.
C
The first is evidence that forms the basis for an objection to the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is a consideration that is introduced to counter the force of that evidence.
The first boldface supports rather than objects to the argument's conclusion. The second boldface doesn't counter the first; it actually strengthens the overall argument by providing the missing piece about Phoenician practices.
D
The first and the second each provide evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish.
The first boldface provides the key evidence about inconsistent direction in Greek inscriptions, and the second provides crucial supporting information about Phoenician writing practices. Together, they form the evidential foundation for concluding that Greeks adopted writing much earlier than the eighth century B.C.
E
The first provides evidence in support of the position that the argument seeks to establish; the second is that position.
The first boldface does provide supporting evidence. However, the second boldface is not the main conclusion but rather additional supporting evidence about Phoenician writing practices that completes the logical reasoning.
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