Guilds in French Cities in the Late Eighteenth Century

Question

City Date Inhabitants Number of guilds Inhabitants per guild
Paris
\[1766\]
\[600{,}000\]
\[133\]
\[4{,}511\]
Bordeaux
\[1762\]
\[80{,}000\]
\[49\]
\[1{,}633\]
Rouen
\[1775\]
\[74{,}000\]
\[112\]
\[661\]
Lyon
\[1789\]
\[143{,}000\]
\[72\]
\[1{,}986\]
Guilds—local associations of artisans and merchants in the same industry—were widespread in France from the medieval period until the late eighteenth century. But guilds were much more numerous relative to the population in some cities than in others: for example, ______
Which choice most effectively uses data from the table to complete the statement?
Choose 1 answer:
Choose 1 answer:
(Choice A) there were 49 guilds in Bordeaux but 72 guilds in Lyon despite the two cities having nearly equal numbers of inhabitants.
A
there were 49 guilds in Bordeaux but 72 guilds in Lyon despite the two cities having nearly equal numbers of inhabitants.
(Choice B) Paris had 133 guilds and 600,000 inhabitants, or one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants.
B
Paris had 133 guilds and 600,000 inhabitants, or one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants.
(Choice C) there was one guild for every 661 inhabitants in Rouen but one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants in Paris.
C
there was one guild for every 661 inhabitants in Rouen but one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants in Paris.
(Choice D) Lyon had far fewer inhabitants than Paris did but had many more guilds.
D
Lyon had far fewer inhabitants than Paris did but had many more guilds.

Answer 1

The best choice to complete the statement is:

(Choice C) there was one guild for every 661 inhabitants in Rouen but one guild for every 4,511 inhabitants in Paris.

This choice directly compares the number of inhabitants per guild in two different cities, effectively illustrating the differing prevalence of guilds relative to population.