Question 73·Easy·Command of Evidence
Guilds in French Cities in the Late Eighteenth Century
| City | Date | Inhabitants | Number of guilds | Inhabitants per guild |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 1766 | 600,000 | 133 | 4,511 |
| Bordeaux | 1762 | 80,000 | 49 | 1,633 |
| Rouen | 1775 | 74,000 | 112 | 661 |
| Lyon | 1789 | 143,000 | 72 | 1,986 |
Guilds—local associations of artisans and merchants in the same industry—were widespread in France from the medieval period until the late eighteenth century. But guilds were much more numerous relative to the population in some cities than in others: for example, _____
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
For data-based Reading & Writing questions, first underline the key task in the passage (here, “more numerous relative to the population in some cities than in others”) so you know you must show a comparison of ratios, not just raw numbers. Then quickly scan the table to find the column that directly reflects that idea (here, “Inhabitants per guild”), and eliminate any options that (1) contradict the numbers, (2) talk about only one data point when the sentence needs a comparison, or (3) ignore the relevant ratio. Choose the remaining option that most directly and accurately illustrates the point the passage is making.
Hints
Focus on the key phrase in the passage
Reread the line before the blank: it mentions guilds being “much more numerous relative to the population in some cities than in others.” Ask yourself: what does “relative to the population” suggest about the kind of data you should use?
Use the most relevant column in the table
Look at the table columns and decide which one best captures how common guilds are compared to the number of inhabitants. Pay close attention to the “Inhabitants per guild” column.
Look for a clear comparison between two cities
Check which answer choices compare two cities in a way that matches the “more numerous relative to population” idea and accurately reflects the numbers in the table, rather than just listing single-city facts or using only raw counts.
Step-by-step Explanation
Understand what the sentence needs to show
The blank follows the statement: “But guilds were much more numerous relative to the population in some cities than in others: for example, _____.” So the completed sentence must:
- Compare at least two cities.
- Focus on how many guilds there were relative to population (not just raw counts).
- Use accurate numbers from the table.
Identify which column shows “relative to the population”
The table has these columns: City, Date, Inhabitants, Number of guilds, and Inhabitants per guild.
To talk about how numerous guilds are relative to population, the most direct evidence is the “Inhabitants per guild” column, because it tells you how many people there are for each guild.
- A smaller “inhabitants per guild” number means more guilds per person (guilds are more numerous relative to population).
- A larger number means fewer guilds per person.
Scan the choices for an accurate, comparative use of that data
Now think about what a good answer will look like:
- It should mention two cities.
- It should either use or clearly reflect the “inhabitants per guild” numbers, showing that one city has guilds that are more common relative to its people.
- It must report those numbers (or relationships) correctly.
Any choice that:
- Talks only about one city,
- Misstates the numbers in the table, or
- Focuses only on raw counts of guilds or inhabitants without capturing the per-person idea
should be eliminated.
Choose the option that correctly contrasts guild density
Only one option clearly and accurately compares guild density using the “inhabitants per guild” data: it states that there was one guild for every 661 inhabitants in Rouen but one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants in Paris.
This uses the last column of the table correctly, compares two cities directly, and clearly shows that guilds were much more numerous relative to the population in Rouen (many more guilds per person) than in Paris, so that choice is the correct answer.