22. Dinosaur expert: Some paleontologists have claimed that birds are descendants of
a group of dinosaurs called dromeosaurs. They appeal to the fossil record, which indicates that dromeosaurs have characteristics more similar to birds than do most
dinosaurs. But there is a fatal flaw in their argument; the earliest bird fossils that
have been discovered date back tens of millions of years farther than the oldest
known dromeosaur fossils. Thus the paleontologists’ claim is false.
The expert’s argument depends on assuming which one of the following?
(A) Having similar characteristics is not a sign that types of animals are
evolutionarily related.
(B) Dromeosaurs and birds could have common ancestors.
(C) Knowledge of dromeosaur fossils and the earliest bird fossils is complete.
(D) Known fossils indicate the relative dates of origin of birds and dromeosaurs.
(E) Dromeosaurs are dissimilar to birds in many significant ways.
Ans D. I chose C why is C wrong and D correct
a group of dinosaurs called dromeosaurs. They appeal to the fossil record, which indicates that dromeosaurs have characteristics more similar to birds than do most
dinosaurs. But there is a fatal flaw in their argument; the earliest bird fossils that
have been discovered date back tens of millions of years farther than the oldest
known dromeosaur fossils. Thus the paleontologists’ claim is false.
The expert’s argument depends on assuming which one of the following?
(A) Having similar characteristics is not a sign that types of animals are
evolutionarily related.
(B) Dromeosaurs and birds could have common ancestors.
(C) Knowledge of dromeosaur fossils and the earliest bird fossils is complete.
(D) Known fossils indicate the relative dates of origin of birds and dromeosaurs.
(E) Dromeosaurs are dissimilar to birds in many significant ways.
Ans D. I chose C why is C wrong and D correct
