Question 104·Medium·Command of Evidence
“Light in the Libraries” is an 1874 newspaper editorial advocating that public libraries remain open into the evening. The editor argues that restricted hours deny working people access to learning opportunities: _____
Which quotation from the editorial most effectively illustrates the claim?
For command-of-evidence questions like this, first restate the claim in your own words so you’re clear on the key elements (here: evening hours, working people, denied access). Then scan the answer choices for those exact ideas—especially time of day and whether people can actually get in. Eliminate quotes that are too general, that occur at the wrong time (like morning), or that praise libraries without showing the specific problem described in the claim, and choose the option that most directly and vividly matches all parts of the summarized argument.
Hints
Clarify the argument you’re proving
Focus on the summarized claim: restricted hours deny working people access to learning in the evening. Your chosen quote must illustrate this specific problem, not just say that libraries are good.
Look for time of day and access
Check which options mention when people are free (morning, afternoon, or evening) and whether the library is open or closed at that time.
Eliminate partial matches
If a choice talks about libraries in general, or only about daytime use, or about spending money on libraries, it doesn’t fully support the idea that evening closing times keep working people from learning.
Step-by-step Explanation
Restate what the claim is saying
The prompt summarizes the editorial’s argument: because libraries close too early, working people cannot use them when they are finally free in the evening, so they lose out on chances to learn.
Identify what the evidence must show
The best quotation must clearly show both of these ideas:
- It is evening or night (or at least after the workday).
- The library is closed or inaccessible, even though people want to or could be using it. Anything that just praises libraries, talks about daytime use, or mentions money without restricted hours will not fully support the claim.
Test each answer against the claim
Go through the choices:
- A: Shows the halls in shadow by four o’clock when workers are free—this hints that the library closes too early, but it doesn’t clearly show people being shut out when they want to use it.
- B: Describes people happily browsing in the morning—this shows access, not denial, and at the wrong time of day.
- C: States a general idea about a city investing in books—this is about funding and value, not hours or access.
- D: Describes evening (gas lamps lit), many curious people on the streets, and the library doors locked, directly showing people being denied access when they are ready to learn.
Match the strongest evidence to the claim
Because it most clearly shows that in the evening, when people are eager to learn, the library is closed and locking them out, the best quotation is “When the gas lamps are lit, the streets swarm with curious minds, yet the library doors remain stubbornly locked.” (Choice D).