The best answer to distinguish sound generalizations from misleading oversimplifications of historians' work is:
A. The use of specific historic events
Sound generalizations are usually based on a careful analysis of specific historical events and evidence, while misleading oversimplifications often ignore important nuances and contexts of those events. Generalizations can be valid if they are well-supported by historical data; oversimplifications tend to distort or misrepresent the complexity of historical narratives.