GRE Reading Comprehension

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Source: NO3

Feelings of hopelessness among medieval workers trapped in the poverty cycle gradually lessened as it became possible for women's labor to supplement a family's money income by more than pennies. By 1300, women spinners could be found working on their own for wealthy sponsors, even after the introduction it Italy and France of a prohibition against advancing money for supplies to women spinners. Historians have usually interpreted this prohibition simply as evidence of women's economic subjection, since it obliged them to turn to usurers; however, it was also almost certainly a response to a trend toward differential reward for women's higher skill. Yarn can be spun irregularly and lumpily, but perfectly smooth yarn is worth more. Working for merchant entrepreneurs on time rates.women had been paid hardly more than children; working as entrepreneurs themselves and producing good work by the piece, they could break into the rational system of differential rewards.

Question List: 1 2 3 4 5

the author suggests that historians have done which of the following?

  • A Failed to give adequate consideration to the economic contribution of women during the medieval period
  • B Overestimated the degree of hopelessness experienced by medieval workers trapped in the poverty cycle
  • C ignored the fact that by 1300 many women spinners were working independently rather than for merchant entrepreneurs.
  • D Regarded the economics status of women in Italy and France as representative of women's status throughout medieval Europe.
  • E Overlooked part of the significant of a prohibition government one aspect of yarn production in medieval Europe.

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