#16 - Recent research shows that sound change (pronunciation shift) in a language is not gradual.

[parytownson]

Hello Powerscore Team,

I have two questions:

1.) Why is this problem not categorized as "Justify the Conclusion?"

2.) Is this the proper way to diagram this problem:

Premise: Classical Account must be discarded (~CA)

Conclusion: Sound change theory in general should be discarded (~SC)

Answer choice (D): "If it is a theory of sound change, then it relies heavily on the classical account" (SC CA). If I then invoke the contraposition of this conditional (~CA ~ SC) then the argument's conclusion can be justified. [/list][/list]

[Robert Carroll]

pary,

As far as classification goes, this post by Dave explains why we call this a Strengthen: viewtopic.php?p=9480#p9480

"does most to justify" is the wording in this particular question that makes this less demanding than a Justify, thus only a Strengthen question.

The conditional diagramming works, although I don't think it's needed. But you're right - if all theories rely on the classical theory, and a central tenet of that must be discarded, than all the things that rely on the classical theory are in danger.

Robert Carroll

[lounalola]

I am a bit confused on this question. I picked answer choice A, and I am confused as to why it is wrong and why D is correct?