Calendar Causes

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In early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy. Granted, the practice of studying celestial bodies also gave rise to astrology and religion, which often had the effect of slowing the progress of the former two areas. Nevertheless, it's by no means impossible that these partly contradictory human pursuits had a common cause, or at least a common contributing cause. Therefore, in all likelihood, the advancement of agrarian science, which motivated the development of measuring seasons and time, led to improved understanding of mathematics and astronomy in early civilizations.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

The ﬁrst is a claim that the argument disputes; the second is a conclusion that has been based on that claim.

The ﬁrst is a claim that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument accepts; the second is that conclusion.

The ﬁrst is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion for which the argument provides further evidence; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

The ﬁrst is a ﬁnding whose implications are at issue in the argument; the second is a claim presented in order to argue against deriving certain implications from that ﬁnding.

The ﬁrst is a ﬁnding whose accuracy is evaluated in the argument; the second is evidence presented to establish that the ﬁnding is accurate.

Review: Calendar Causes

Explanation

Reading the question: we see boldfaced text, so we know (and can confirm) that the question will require us only to identify the logical role of the various parts of the prompt.

Sentence

Starts With.../Includes...

Function

1st

"In early civilizations"

Fact

2nd

"Granted"

Fact, somewhat contradictory

3rd

"Nevertheless"

Fact, somewhat reconciling

4th

"Therefore"

Opinion

Creating a filter: The first three sentences present facts. The final sentence is the opinion, introduced by "therefore." So we have "boldface 1 equals fact and 2 boldface equals opinion."

Applying the filter: Choices (A) and (B) are out, because they call 1 a claim. (E) is out because it calls the second statement evidence. We're left with (C) and (D). According to (C), the first statement supports the conclusion. Is that true? No; (D) is correct. The first statement talks about attributing math development to the development of a calendar, but the final opinion attributes math to agrarian science. The correct answer is (D).

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Calendar Causes