Read the following argument carefully. Then, match each excerpt from the stimulus to the statement that most accurately describes its structural role in the argument.
"Many agricultural historians argue that the adoption of the heavy plow in medieval Europe directly caused a rapid increase in population by drastically improving crop yields. Detailed manorial records, however, indicate that population growth in several key regions actually preceded the widespread introduction of the heavy plow by nearly a century. Consequently, the heavy plow was a result, rather than the primary cause, of medieval demographic shifts. After all, expanding populations require increased food production to sustain larger workforces. This mounting pressure to produce more food clearly forced medieval communities to innovate and adopt more efficient agricultural technologies."
- "...the adoption of the heavy plow in medieval Europe directly caused a rapid increase in population..."A viewpoint that the author's argument is explicitly designed to reject.
- "...population growth in several key regions actually preceded the widespread introduction of the heavy plow..."A premise providing empirical evidence to contradict an established narrative.
- "...the heavy plow was a result, rather than the primary cause, of medieval demographic shifts."The main conclusion drawn by the author of the argument.
- "...This mounting pressure to produce more food clearly forced medieval communities to innovate and adopt more efficient agricultural technologies."An intermediate conclusion used to explain the mechanism behind a historical timeline.