Question

The heart of the argument—where the documentary record has the greatest claims to strength—concerns Indian influence on the joining together, first of the colonies under the Articles of Confederation, then of the states under the federal Constitution. Accordingly, the present essay focuses on these topics—that is to say, on the formation of the American union. It concentrates on the writings of Donald Grinde and Bruce Johansen, who have made the most detailed and authoritative statements of the Iroquois influence thesis. It summarizes their argument, examines the evidence, and concludes that their position is unfounded.

What is the author’s main argument in this passage?

A. Grinde and Johansen’s theory is mostly incorrect.
B. Grinde and Johansen’s theory is vague and unclear.
C. Grinde and Johansen’s theory is correct but flawed.
D. Grinde and Johansen’s theory is correct without a doubt.

Answer 1

A. Grinde and Johansen’s theory is mostly incorrect.

Step-by-step explanation:

A. is the right answer. The author concludes that the essay in question found Grinde’s and Johansen's theory to be “unfounded” which means it is not based on the evident and objective facts, and that it is incorrect.

B. is not the correct answer. The author does not talk about the clarity of the theory.

C. is not the right answer. The author dismisses the theory completely.

D. is not the right answer. The author says the theory is “unfounded” which can’t mean it’s correct.