A fossil recently discovered in Marlandia, a chain of islands, proves that a present-day reptile indigenous to Marlandia is descended from an ancient reptile species that lived on the islands millions of years ago. The finding is surprising since the ancestral species was thought to have become extinct when Marlandia was submerged in a global sea-level rise twenty-five million years ago. Based on the new discovery, many scientists have concluded that the sea-level rise in question left at least part of Marlandia unsubmerged.

Which of the following would, if true, provide the most additional support for the scientists' conclusion?

Correct answer marked below

Reptiles in Marlandia have adapted to many environmental changes since the sea-level rise.

Marlandia separated from a much larger landmass about eighty million years ago.

No fossils that prove the relationship between the present-day species and the ancestral species have been found anywhere other than Marlandia.

The present-day reptiles are able to thrive on very tiny Marlandia islands.

The ancestral reptiles could not have survived long at sea.

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What this question tests

Whether you can identify the option that most bolsters an argument's conclusion.

Choosing an option that is consistent with the argument but adds no new support, or that shifts the topic.