Q21

[mylesfish.58]

I'm having trouble differentiating between answers B & C. I understand why B is correct, but am having trouble understanding why C is incorrect. Thanks in advance.

[rinagoldfield]

Hi mylesfish.58!

I'm having trouble differentiating between answers B & C. I understand why B is correct, but am having trouble understanding why C is incorrect. Thanks in advance.

One reason why you might be struggling to understand why (C) is incorrect is that (C) is the correct answer!

This synthesis question asks the reader to identify the passage’s main point. The passage balances a description of Rubinstein’s iconoclastic view of wealth and power in 19th century England with the author’s critique of Rubinstein’s research. The correct answer should touch upon both of these aspects. (For a more complete sense of the passage’s scale and structure, check out the file I attached in the "Passage Discussion" thread.)

(C) encapsulates the main point perfectly. It describes the unorthodox nature of Rubinstein’s research while acknowledging its incompleteness.

(A) is extreme in its degree. Rubinstein’s thesis challenges the Marxist interpretation of history, but the Marxist interpretation is hardly "no longer viable."

(B) is narrow in its scope and offers an unsupported interpretation. Rubinstein questions the relationship between power and wealth, but this question constitutes only one component of his research. Also, Rubinstein’s research is inconclusive; we can’t assume that new data will be "unlikely" to support a simple equation between wealth and power.

(D) has a narrow scope. Probate records don’t offer a full picture of Rubinstein’s research or the author’s critique.

(E) is unsupported. The author argues that Rubinstein’s theories haven’t been fully confirmed yet, not that confirmation will remain forever elusive.

[WaltGrace1983]

I could be wrong but I also eliminated (E) because it seems that it misrepresents the "doers" of the historical study. What I mean is that Rubenstein is studying 19th century Britain and developing his own hypothesis backed by research. The author is then saying, "Ruby's studies are definitely intriguing but we need more information regarding the evidence to confirm Ruby's actual hypothesis." The problem that I found with (E) is that it seems to say that there are others attempting to confirm a "new historical study" (Ruby's study), as I find it implausible that someone would attempt to confirm their own findings and studies.

Again, this was just my gut interpretation when I went through the answer choices timed. Upon review, I also eliminated (E) due to the "likely to remain elusive part." We get absolutely no indication about what will happen in the future! Just what we can/cannot confirm now.