Question Type: Synthesis (7-8, 44-46, 59-62)
Very rarely will the main point be stated explicitly in any one given place in the passage.
Questions that ask about the main point of the passage require us to synthesize multiple parts of the passage in order to come away with a broader overall interpretation. Answer choice (B) does this effectively. Notice that (B) also matches up nicely with our scale image.
(A) is supported by the text in lines 55-58. However, the scope is too narrow to cover the overall main point of the passage.
(C) is not supported by the text: lent a semblance of rigor (lines 33-34) is not the same as methodologically unsound, and plausible (line 45) is not the same as probable.
(D) goes against the author’s belief; also, note the term shift from intriguing (line 45) to speculative.
(E) is tempting because the author would probably agree with this statement. However, it goes beyond the scope of the text.