PrepTest 117, Section 1, Question 8
In the field of historiography—the writing of history(454 more words not shown)
Which one of the following(9 more words not shown)
- AThe history of(24 more words not shown)
- BAsian settlers on(19 more words not shown)
- CTo understand Asian(25 more words not shown)
- DSpurred by new(21 more words not shown)
- EBy examining only(13 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
We've already predicted that Chinese settlers' contributions to Pacific Coast agriculture have been overlooked. The familiar written records don't give us their full experience.
What we’re looking for
The answer should capture that missing contribution and how historians can recover it. Our prediction may need to emphasize the kind of evidence more than it initially did.
Working the answers
- A
Confirmed points in the wrong direction. The actions reveal an overlooked contribution; the argument isn't simply that they verify the history historians already had.
- B
We aren't told historians examined the settlers' record and decided it was irrelevant. The problem is that the usual sources omitted their responses, partly because so little was written down.
- CCorrect
This sharpens our prediction by identifying the solution: recognize nontraditional evidence, including actions. The swamp, mustard, and irrigation examples show what we gain from doing that. C connects the method with understanding the settlers' impact.
- D
No debate over the foundations of the whole field is described. Some historians recognize a need to broaden their sources, and the agricultural example illustrates why. D replaces that argument with a debate we weren't shown.
- E
This makes a broad claim about traditional historiography producing inaccurate accounts. The focus is a particular history that leaves out important contributions. E leaves out the specific Pacific Coast case and the proposed use of actions as evidence.
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