There are a few key linguistic differences between answers A and B that make answer B the better answer.
First, is the argument really that the method of observing contemporary societies is “inconsistent?†If so, inconsistent with what? That is not the argument — instead, the author is making the case that “direct observation†and specifically the “enabling effects†of literacy in contemporary societies just doesn’t map on well to ancient societies, such as Athens. That doesn’t mean that the contemporary approach is “inconsistent†— it just means that it doesn’t work as applied to ancient societies, which is a different argument!
That is why Answer B is better — it states that the argument is pointing out the weaknesses in the particular approach as applied to ancient societies. No “inconsistency!â€
I hope that helps. Please let us know if you have further questions.
MazenMay 1, 2020
With all respect due. This explanation did not help. Also the symbols all over did not help. Would you please explain again why A was eliminated?
Please, I implore you to infer the elimination of A exclusively from the passage and the question. Not from the knowledge that B is the correct answer.
Again please do not tell me why A is wrong based on the foreknowledge that B is correct.
This question is a must be true question and should therefore be 100% supported by the textual language. Point to me what statements in the passage demonstrate the falsity of answer-choice A?
