Why does the author say that the case is 'almost too obvious to examine'?

Teachers who favour grouping pupils by attainment argue that it allows each class to move at a suitable pace: the quick are not held back and the slow are not left behind. The case sounds almost too obvious to examine, which is a reason to examine it. Pupils placed in lower groups often receive less demanding work and lower expectations, and placement tends to be fixed early, so a pupil assigned to a low group at eleven may seldom escape it. Effects on the top group are usually small. If the main benefit goes to a group that would have done well anyway, while the cost falls on those already struggling, the arrangement needs a stronger defence than its apparent common sense.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Because an idea that seems obvious may escape the scrutiny it deserves

  1. Step 1: The author adds 'which is a reason to examine it'.
  2. Step 2: Obvious claims can go unchecked, so they deserve checking.
Answer
Because an idea that seems obvious may escape the scrutiny it deserves.
Why not the others: The author does not say it has been tested, that teachers ignore evidence, that pupils prefer groups or that the case is complicated.

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