For a words-in-context question, identify the exact scope of the claim being discussed. Distinguish a claim about how often something occurred from a categorical claim that it never occurred, and then choose the verb that accurately describes the evidence’s effect on that specific claim.
Hints
- Hint 1
Separate two conclusions
Consider the difference between showing that a practice was common and showing that the practice occurred at all.
- Hint 2
Notice the inference’s scope
Focus on the categorical force of the phrase “confined to officials” and consider how securely attributed exceptions affect such a statement.
Step-by-step
- Step 1
Distinguish frequency from existence
The small number of laborers’ notes does not show that nonofficial writing was common. However, the secure attribution of those notes does establish that nonofficial writing existed.
- Step 2
Examine the scope of the inference
The inference that writing was “confined to officials” is categorical: it allows no instances of writing by laborers. The securely attributed laborers’ notes contradict that absolute inference.
- Step 3
Choose the most precise word
“Preclude” means to prevent something from being possible or valid. Because the laborers’ notes are counterexamples to the categorical inference, their existence prevents that inference from remaining valid.