As always, let’s start with the question stem. We are looking for the answer that is supported by the results of the “better test†discussed in the last paragraph of the passage.
That stem is fabulous, as it immediately allows us to home in on a specific part of the larger passage. What is the “better test� It is the “comparison of each of these economic indicators with the frequency of movement-initiated events reported in the press.†And we learn that “none [of the economic indicators] correlates significantly with the pace of reports about movement activity.†And, we know from the very beginning of the paragraph that introduces this “better test,†it still “remains to find a means of testing the strength†of the other theories, and that there is “ample evidence†to support any of the other three.
Whew! That is a lot. So which answer is supported by what we just learned?
Answer A is wrong because the better test neither confirms nor denies any of the other three theories.
Answer C is wrong because the better test does not show it is impossible any theory of social movements to the civil rights movement — again, the test does not deny any of the other theories, including the first “social movement†theory.
Answer D is wrong because the better test says nothing about the results of the test, such as whether press coverage was biased.
Answer E is wrong because again, we don’t learn about the results of the test, but just how it is formulated.
That leaves us with answer B! Which is correct, because as we have already discussed, the better test doesn’t allow us to decide among the three classical theories: instead, it just offers a different method.
