The shoddiness of popular journalistic writing today represents a relatively new phenomenon. In marked contrast, newspapers surviving from the turn of the century, before the study of Latin ceased to be a common element in a liberal education, reveal consistently high standards of grammar and diction. Here is proof that proper English prose requires a solid background in Latin.
Which one of the following, if true, tends to weaken the conclusion above?
a. Many journalists active at the turn of the century had studied Latin.
b. The study of Latin was considered a superfluous extravagance by many people at the turn of the century.
c. The only surviving newspapers from the turn of the century are special interest publications directed at an educated audience.
d. English grammar and diction derive primarily from Latin constructions.
e. Proper use of grammar and diction is not very important to modern newspaper readers