In this task, you're given a statement and three sentences as choices. Your job is to determine which sentence can be inferred from the statement. Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or have details that are not mentioned in the statement. Indicate your answer as 1,2, or 3 corresponding to the choice number of the selected sentence.

Statement: As Istanbul it was the seat of the Ottoman sultans, rulers of a 500-year Islamic empire that stretched from the Black Sea and the Balkans to Arabia and Algeria. Choices:  1. The Ottoman empire collapsed for a number of reasons, but its collapse is largely seen to have been an inevitability by most historians. 2. The Ottoman empire established a 500-year rule over territory that stretched from the Black Sea and the Balkans to the Arabia and Algeria. 3. The Ottoman empire established a 200-year rule over a comparably small territory.
2

Statement: More important, the mainstream groups are downplaying what Pollard did. Choices:  1. All mainstream groups are highlighting what Pollard did. 2. Pollard caused a huge change, but the mainstream groups are trying to cover it up. 3. The mainstream groups are downplaying what Pollard did, and that is much more important.
3

Statement: Columbus named the island after St. Martin on that saint's feast day in 1493, or did he? Choices:  1. St Martin Island was named by Columbus in 1493. 2. Napoleon named the island St. Martin. 3. Columbus had help in naming the island, St. Martin.

1