Summarize Argument: Causal Explanation
The author concludes that the early Egyptian pharoahs’ spending on ceremonial architecture was not frivolous. In other words, there was a practical reason for it. They engaged in this kind of spending because it might have helped maintain the loyalty of the masses without needing to use the military to control them.
Identify Argument Part
The referenced text is the conclusion of the argument. It’s the author’s assessment of whether the pharoahs’ spending had a practical use.
A
It is a conclusion purportedly justified by the argument’s appeal to the psychological effects of these structures on the Egyptian population.
This accurately describes the role of the referenced text. The buildings’ potential to make the pharoahs’ subjects more loyal is a psychological effect. The author cites to this effect to support the claim that the pharoahs’ spending on the buildings was not frivolous.
B
It is offered in support of the claim that Egyptian pharaohs spent as much on ceremonial architecture as they did on roads and irrigation systems.
The referenced text does not support anything in the stimulus. It is a conclusion.
C
It is a premise given in support of the claim that the loyalty of people under a pharaoh’s rule was maintained over time without reliance on military force.
The referenced text is not a premise. It is a conclusion supported by the claim concerning people’s loyalty.
D
It is offered as an illustration of the principle that social and political stability do not depend ultimately on force.
The referenced text is not offered to illustrate anything. It is what the author tries to prove based on the claim that ceremonial buildings might make people loyal to the pharoah.
E
It is a premise used to justify the pharaohs’ policy of spending scarce resources on structures that have only military utility.
The referenced text is not a premise. Also, the author never indicated that the pharoahs’ spending on ceremonial structures had only a military purpose.