PrepTest 149

Incorrect. There's no discussion of any presumption of literacy, or a note that Demosthenes's companion's literacy. Without information contradicting this, it could be true.

Incorrect. There's no information about Demosthenes being real or not, so this answer could be true.

Incorrect. The stimulus features a single example. It doesn't state whether this example is representative or not, so we can't say this answer is contradicted by the stimulus.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Facts

Question Type:
Cannot Be True

Stimulus Summary:
Scene from Knights—A character reads a prophecy and keeps gasping. Another character asks what it says and is told.

Answer Anticipation:
Honestly? We have no idea. This question is wide open, so let's get to the answer choices ASAP. The only thing that we might anticipate is that the correct answer could be a generalization that this specific situation contradicts.

Remember—we need an answer that is contradicted by the stimulus.

Answer Explanation:
Demosthenes read the tablet, and his friend asked him to tell him what he had just read. That strongly suggests Demosthenes was reading to himself, thus contradicting this answer stating that ancient Greeks never read silently to themselves.

Key Takeaway:
Cannot Be True questions are all about contradictions. Look for answers that are contradicted by information established in the premises. And when the stimulus brings up one specific case, look for answers that speak in absolutes and thus could be contradicted by a single counterexample.

Incorrect. It's possible that the tablet Demosthenes had in Knights was a rarity, so this answer might be true.