Historian: We can learn about the medical history of individuals through chemical analysis of their hair. It is likely, for example, that Isaac Newton’s psychological problems were due to mercury poisoning; traces of mercury were found in his hair. Analysis is now being done on a lock of Beethoven’s hair. Although no convincing argument has shown that Beethoven ever had a venereal disease, some people hypothesize that venereal disease caused his deafness. Since mercury was commonly ingested in Beethoven’s time to treat venereal disease, if researchers find a trace of mercury in his hair, we can conclude that this hypothesis is correct.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the historian’s argument depends?
(A) None of the mercury introduced into the body can be eliminated.
(B) Some people in Beethoven’s time did not ingest mercury.
(C) Mercury is an effective treatment for venereal disease.
(D) Mercury poisoning can cause deafness in people with venereal disease.
(E) Beethoven suffered from psychological problems of the same severity as Newton’s.

这题答案给的是B，但小妹觉得A更好一些。正因为前提是mercury在人体内不能自行消除，所以如果在B的体内发现mercury的话，就能证明B却使得了VD. B选项感觉和题目没什么关系

这题答案给的是B，但小妹觉得A更好一些。正因为前提是mercury在人体内不能自行消除，所以如果在B的体内发现mercury的话，就能证明B却使得了VD. B选项感觉和题目没什么关系

The conclusion deduced from the argument is that " if researchers find a trace of mercury in his hair, we can conclude that this hypothesis is correct. "

If A is the case, researchers might not find a trace of mercury in the first place. Thus it doesn't weaken or strengthen the argument, nor does the conclusion rest on it.