Complete the reasoning

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Complete the reasoning

by amysky_0205 » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:16 pm
Which of the following most logically completes the reasoning?
When species are extensively hunted, individuals that reach reproductive maturity early make up a larger proportion of the population, because they have a better chance of reproducing. When species face diminished food resources, on the other hand, individuals tend to take longer to reach reproductive maturity. These considerations may help settle whether the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of North America's mastodons, prehistoric animals related to elephants, was diminished food resources or human hunting, since __________.

A. from the location of certain hunting weapons in juxtaposition with mastodon remains, it is possible to determine whether those weapons were used to hunt mastodons
B. the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity can be established from mastodon tusks, of which there are many fossils dating from different periods
C. from the remains of mastodons already discovered, it can be accurately estimated when mastodons became extinct
D. from tusks and other bones, it is possible to determine whether male and female mastodons reached reproductive maturity at about the same age
E. it is possible to determine whether the earliest human dwellings constructed from mastodon tusks and bones come from an earlier period than the earliest hunting weapons unambiguously associated with mastodon remains


OA:B

can someone explain this one?
I chose D instead of B...
Is D wrong because that the issue isn't about female and male?

Also, I would like to ask if there's any techniques that raise the accuracy in this type of question
or if we can only see by the meaning of the passage?

thank u!

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by e-GMAT » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:38 pm
amysky_0205 wrote:Which of the following most logically completes the reasoning?
When species are extensively hunted, individuals that reach reproductive maturity early make up a larger proportion of the population, because they have a better chance of reproducing. When species face diminished food resources, on the other hand, individuals tend to take longer to reach reproductive maturity. These considerations may help settle whether the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of North America's mastodons, prehistoric animals related to elephants, was diminished food resources or human hunting, since __________.

A. from the location of certain hunting weapons in juxtaposition with mastodon remains, it is possible to determine whether those weapons were used to hunt mastodons
B. the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity can be established from mastodon tusks, of which there are many fossils dating from different periods
C. from the remains of mastodons already discovered, it can be accurately estimated when mastodons became extinct
D. from tusks and other bones, it is possible to determine whether male and female mastodons reached reproductive maturity at about the same age
E. it is possible to determine whether the earliest human dwellings constructed from mastodon tusks and bones come from an earlier period than the earliest hunting weapons unambiguously associated with mastodon remains


OA:B

can someone explain this one?
I chose D instead of B...
Is D wrong because that the issue isn't about female and male?

Also, I would like to ask if there's any techniques that raise the accuracy in this type of question
or if we can only see by the meaning of the passage?

thank u!
Hi Amysky,

You are correct that option D cannot be the answer since we are not creating a distinction between male and female. We are talking about individuals in general in the passage.

For your other query, in my opinion, accuracy comes from the following two factors:

- Deliberate practice - This means that you not only solve question but you properly analyse your way of thinking with the detailed explanations, to find out the gaps or common mistakes you commit.

-A general approach - You should have a general approach to solve CR questions which works the best for you. Approach followed at e-GMAT is:
1. Read the passage carefully
2. Create a logical structure of the argument
3. Prethink the answer (or the structure of the answer)
3. PoE - Process of Elimination - Eliminate the wrong answer choices to arrive at the correct one.

You can try our free trial for CR and see if that helps. You can register at: https://e-gmat.com/

Let me know if you have any queries.

Thanks,
Chiranjeev

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by NandishSS » Mon Jul 17, 2017 10:37 pm
amysky_0205 wrote:Which of the following most logically completes the reasoning?
When species are extensively hunted, individuals that reach reproductive maturity early make up a larger proportion of the population, because they have a better chance of reproducing. When species face diminished food resources, on the other hand, individuals tend to take longer to reach reproductive maturity. These considerations may help settle whether the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of North America's mastodons, prehistoric animals related to elephants, was diminished food resources or human hunting, since __________.

A. from the location of certain hunting weapons in juxtaposition with mastodon remains, it is possible to determine whether those weapons were used to hunt mastodons
B. the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity can be established from mastodon tusks, of which there are many fossils dating from different periods
C. from the remains of mastodons already discovered, it can be accurately estimated when mastodons became extinct
D. from tusks and other bones, it is possible to determine whether male and female mastodons reached reproductive maturity at about the same age
E. it is possible to determine whether the earliest human dwellings constructed from mastodon tusks and bones come from an earlier period than the earliest hunting weapons unambiguously associated with mastodon remains


OA:B
Hi GMATGuruNY,

Is this problem regarding language shift?

Thanks
Nandish

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by DavidG@VeritasPrep » Wed Jul 19, 2017 6:33 am
Is this problem regarding language shift?

Thanks
Nandish
We're trying to determine which of two causes is the likely culprit for the extinction of the mastodons.

A) food scarcity
B) human hunting

We know that if A is true, the mastodons will have matured later. We're told this. We know that if B is true, the mastodons will have matured earlier. So all we need to know is whether the maturation age of these mastodons was uncharacteristically late. This is what B gives us.

Typically, when we're talking about language shifts, we're talking about discrepancy between the specificity of the language used in a premise and the specificity of the language used in a conclusion. Once classic example: a premise that discusses crimes, in general, and a conclusion that refers only to serious crimes.

Mitch has a nice breakdown here: https://www.beatthegmat.com/parktown-cri ... tml#792214
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