Question:
High software prices are frequently said to ---- widespread illegal copying, although the opposite ---- that high prices are the cause of the copying -- is equally plausible.
High software prices are frequently said to ---- widespread illegal copying, although the opposite ---- that high prices are the cause of the copying -- is equally plausible.
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Be careful with cause-and-effect language. "Results from" means A is the effect of B. "Contributes to" means A is a cause of B. Read the sentence carefully to determine which direction of causation is being described in the first clause.
Updated On: Oct 4, 2025
- contribute to
- result from
- correlate with
- explain
- precede
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question presents two opposing views on the cause-and-effect relationship between high software prices and illegal copying. The blank is in the first clause.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. The second clause explicitly states one causal relationship: "high prices are the cause of the copying."
2. The first clause presents the view that is "frequently said," and the word "although" indicates that this view might be contrasted with the second view. However, the structure "the opposite...is equally plausible" suggests the first view is also a causal claim, just in the reverse direction.
3. Let's re-read carefully: "High software prices are frequently said to ---- widespread illegal copying". The second clause says "high prices ARE THE CAUSE of the copying". This is not an opposite view, but a restatement. The "opposite" mentioned must be referring to "illegal copying is the cause of high prices".
4. This means the first clause should state that high prices CAUSE copying. We need a verb that means "to be a cause of."
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- (A) contribute to: This phrase means "to help to cause or bring about." "High prices are said to contribute to widespread copying" is a statement of causation that perfectly matches the explanation in the second half of the sentence.
- (B) "result from": This would mean that high prices are the effect, and copying is the cause. This is the "opposite" view mentioned, not the one "frequently said."
- (C) "correlate with": This indicates a relationship but is neutral about causation. "Contribute to" is a stronger, more direct fit for the causal argument being described.
- (D) "explain": High prices don't explain copying; they are said to be the reason or cause for it. "Contribute to" is more idiomatic.
- (E) "precede": This means to come before in time, which is necessary for causation but is not causation itself.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The phrase "contribute to" accurately captures the causal relationship (prices cause copying) that is being described in the sentence.
This question presents two opposing views on the cause-and-effect relationship between high software prices and illegal copying. The blank is in the first clause.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
1. The second clause explicitly states one causal relationship: "high prices are the cause of the copying."
2. The first clause presents the view that is "frequently said," and the word "although" indicates that this view might be contrasted with the second view. However, the structure "the opposite...is equally plausible" suggests the first view is also a causal claim, just in the reverse direction.
3. Let's re-read carefully: "High software prices are frequently said to ---- widespread illegal copying". The second clause says "high prices ARE THE CAUSE of the copying". This is not an opposite view, but a restatement. The "opposite" mentioned must be referring to "illegal copying is the cause of high prices".
4. This means the first clause should state that high prices CAUSE copying. We need a verb that means "to be a cause of."
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
- (A) contribute to: This phrase means "to help to cause or bring about." "High prices are said to contribute to widespread copying" is a statement of causation that perfectly matches the explanation in the second half of the sentence.
- (B) "result from": This would mean that high prices are the effect, and copying is the cause. This is the "opposite" view mentioned, not the one "frequently said."
- (C) "correlate with": This indicates a relationship but is neutral about causation. "Contribute to" is a stronger, more direct fit for the causal argument being described.
- (D) "explain": High prices don't explain copying; they are said to be the reason or cause for it. "Contribute to" is more idiomatic.
- (E) "precede": This means to come before in time, which is necessary for causation but is not causation itself.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The phrase "contribute to" accurately captures the causal relationship (prices cause copying) that is being described in the sentence.
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