An Obscure Novel from the Thirteenth Century has been Attributed to Author X

Question: An obscure novel from the thirteenth century has been attributed to Author X, although whether she was the sole author of the long work is often disputed. The year of completion has also been disputed but should be accepted as 1221, because in this year Author X wrote a diary entry about her joy at having completed the work. In this diary entry she also mentions a specific character who appears only in the last chapter of the book. While doubts may remain about certain aspects of the book's authorship, there is no doubt about its chronology.

Which of the following, if true, most strongly supports the argument above?

1. In several diary entries in the year 1220, Author X mentioned that she was lonely working on the obscure novel but that it was almost complete.
2. For record-keeping purposes, Author X had a court scribe copy her diary, so a second copy of her diary verifies the authenticity of her entry about the obscure novel in 1221.
3. No writers other than Author X wrote interior portions now accepted as part of the obscure novel after Author X had finished her portion in 1221.
4. Early in 1222, a political coup took place that would have made life so turbulent for Author X that it would have been virtually impossible for her to continue to edit and add to the obscure novel.
5. The last chapter of the book was the last one Author X wrote.

“An Obscure Novel from the Thirteenth Century has been Attributed to Author X”- is a GMAT Critical question. This particular GMAT Critical Reasoning topic has been taken from the book ‘GMAT Prep Plus 2021’. In this particular topic, candidates need to choose the option that best suits the passage. GMAT critical reasoning tests the logical and analytical skills of the candidates. Critical reasoning in GMAT requires candidates to find the strengths and weaknesses of the argument, or find the logical flaw in the argument.  The GMAT CR section contains 10 -13 GMAT critical reasoning questions out of 36 GMAT verbal questions.

Answer: C

Explanation:  A GMAT Critical Reasoning question examines how well a candidate can analyze the argument, find its flaws, and develop a plan of action.

Let us consider the given assumptions to check the one which fits the best with the argument:

Option A: Incorrect.
- In option A, states that the entries in 1220. But the passage states the year of completion. Hence option A is incorrect.

Option B: Incorrect.
- Option B states that the second diary is just a replica of the first one. Hence, there is no new data that may come out from the given dispute. So, option B is incorrect.

Option C: Correct.
- Option C is correct as it has evidence that Author X is the sole writer of the obscure novel. It also states that by 1221 the author holds the finishing of the novel. Hence there is no chance of a replica. Therefore option C is correct.

Option D: Incorrect.
- Option D states how the author was unable to finish his book till 1221. This is incomplete as it doesn't state that the author had completed the book before 1222.

Option E: Incorrect.
- Option E adds new information, hence irrelevant.

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