Free Practice Question
CR · Critical Reasoning
555-605
Weaken
A group of paleontologists discovered a skull fossil in a sedimentary layer. Initially, they believed the skull belonged to a young mastodon, a now extinct relative of modern elephants, due to the size of the teeth which appeared juvenile. However, mastodons are known for their large tusks, and the skull's structure would not accommodate the tusks of an adult mastodon. Based on this, the paleontologists concluded that the skull fossil indicates a different species closely related to the mastodon.
Which of the following, if true, would best provide evidence showing that the conclusion above is possibly flawed?
Answer Choices
Correct answer marked belowA
The juvenile skull of a species related to a mastodon is smaller than that of a mastodon.
B
The growth pattern of tusks provides critical evidence for identifying ancient species.
Adult mastodons have tusks that are significantly larger than those of juvenile mastodons.
Correct
D
Many fossils have been found that cannot be definitively linked to a specific species.
E
The juvenile teeth of a species related to the mastodon are larger than those of a mastodon.
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Explanation
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Official Explanation
Official
To determine the flaw in the paleontologists' conclusion, we need to consider how the tusks of adult mastodons develop. If it is true that adult mastodons have tusks that are significantly larger than those of juvenile mastodons, this suggests that the skull could still belong to a young mastodon, as the tusks would not yet have…
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I
IJan 20, 2025
Great question!
A
ArjunFeb 6, 2025
thankss
H
HarshiMar 23, 2024
Thanks for sharingThank you for sharing!!thanks for sharing
What this question tests
What it tests
Whether you can identify the option that most undermines an argument's conclusion.
Common trap
Choosing an irrelevant objection or one that attacks the premise rather than the reasoning.
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Details
Difficulty
555-605
Type
CR