Question

Which of the following initial objections to the adoption of his proposal was already anticipated by the author?

• A. Museum officials will become unwilling to store artifacts.
• B. An oversupply of salable artifacts will result and the demand for them will fall.
• C. Artifacts that would have been displayed in public places will be sold to private collectors.
• D. Illegal excavators will have an even larger supply of artifacts for resale.
• E. Counterfeiting of artifacts will become more commonplace.

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Artifacts that would have been displayed in public places will be sold to private collectors.

The author begins the third paragraph by saying “you might object…” in order to anticipate possible objections to the adoption of his proposal. In the next sentence, the author asserts that “ancient artifacts…should be available for all to appreciate, not sold to the highest bidder”, acknowledging an opponent’s fear that individuals might be allowed to purchase objects that ought to be displayed in public institutions. This objection is paraphrased in the answer choice.