Inferences

SAT Reading and Writing· difficulty 3/5

In the medieval Islamic world, the city of Baghdad housed the famed House of Wisdom, where scholars translated Greek, Persian, and Sanskrit texts into Arabic. These translations preserved many works that would otherwise have been lost when the original manuscripts deteriorated or were destroyed in conflicts. Centuries later, European scholars during the Renaissance accessed many of these classical ideas only through Latin translations of the Arabic versions.

Which conclusion most logically follows from the passage?

  • A

    European Renaissance scholars typically read Greek originals rather than translations

  • B

    The transmission of classical knowledge to Europe depended significantly on Arabic intermediaries

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  • C

    Sanskrit texts were the primary focus of the House of Wisdom's scholars

  • D

    Most Greek texts have survived in their original Greek manuscripts

Explanation

The passage explicitly says Renaissance Europeans accessed classical ideas through Latin translations of Arabic versions, supporting B. A contradicts the passage; C overstates Sanskrit's role; D contradicts the implication that originals were lost.

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