Kaplan CR Q1

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Kaplan CR Q1

by confuse mind » Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:29 pm
Since at least 1868, paleontologists have been arguing over whether or not birds evolved from dinosaurs. In the late 1960s, a scientist from Yale University named John Ostrom declared there were 22 features in the skeletons of meat-eating dinosaurs that were also seen in birds but not in any other animals. By the year 2000, 85 such characteristics unique to dinosaurs and birds had been discovered. Some very vocal critics continue to oppose the theory, but this skeletal evidence strongly supports the idea that dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of modern birds.

Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion of the argument to be more properly drawn?

A. It is impossible to tell for certain by examining the fossil record whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded like birds or cold-blooded like reptiles.
B. Therapod dinosaurs evolved feathers in place of scales because feathers conferred greater protection against the cold.
C. The existence of so many uniquely linked characteristics cannot be explained by convergent evolution, the development of similarities in separate lineages through the operation of similar selective factors on both lines.
D. Several of the supporters of the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs are paleontologists who are highly regarded in their field.
E. The earliest "feathered dinosaur" fossil found has been dated at 129 million years old, while the earliest "true bird" fossil has been dated at 150 million years old.
[spoiler]
OA - C I marked - D
I agree that C is right after reading the explanation. What is the problem with D?
Since some scientists have given some results and explanations. Their integrity is necessarily n assumption which is states by D.[/spoiler]
Source: — Critical Reasoning |

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by mohan514 » Sat Aug 25, 2012 9:37 am
when we have controversy between two options we should choose the one which makes a greater impact on the conclusion of the argument ..

so as here option c supports the conclusion ..we can can pick it up..

the conclusion in about evolution not about how trust worthy the paleantologists are..
[dont know its spelling, sorry]

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by ankit0411 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:14 am
confuse mind wrote:Since at least 1868, paleontologists have been arguing over whether or not birds evolved from dinosaurs. In the late 1960s, a scientist from Yale University named John Ostrom declared there were 22 features in the skeletons of meat-eating dinosaurs that were also seen in birds but not in any other animals. By the year 2000, 85 such characteristics unique to dinosaurs and birds had been discovered. Some very vocal critics continue to oppose the theory, but this skeletal evidence strongly supports the idea that dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of modern birds.

Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion of the argument to be more properly drawn?

A. It is impossible to tell for certain by examining the fossil record whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded like birds or cold-blooded like reptiles.
B. Therapod dinosaurs evolved feathers in place of scales because feathers conferred greater protection against the cold.
C. The existence of so many uniquely linked characteristics cannot be explained by convergent evolution, the development of similarities in separate lineages through the operation of similar selective factors on both lines.
D. Several of the supporters of the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs are paleontologists who are highly regarded in their field.
E. The earliest "feathered dinosaur" fossil found has been dated at 129 million years old, while the earliest "true bird" fossil has been dated at 150 million years old.
[spoiler]
OA - C I marked - D
I agree that C is right after reading the explanation. What is the problem with D?
Since some scientists have given some results and explanations. Their integrity is necessarily n assumption which is states by D.[/spoiler]
By POE I arrived at C.
D is far off from the argument, and can be nearly considered as Out of scope.
Only C touches the argument and is the best.

Thanks,
Ankit
Don't predict future , create it !

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by 7777 » Wed Aug 29, 2012 10:47 pm
confuse mind wrote:Since at least 1868, paleontologists have been arguing over whether or not birds evolved from dinosaurs. In the late 1960s, a scientist from Yale University named John Ostrom declared there were 22 features in the skeletons of meat-eating dinosaurs that were also seen in birds but not in any other animals. By the year 2000, 85 such characteristics unique to dinosaurs and birds had been discovered. Some very vocal critics continue to oppose the theory, but this skeletal evidence strongly supports the idea that dinosaurs are the direct ancestors of modern birds.

Which of the following, if true, would allow the conclusion of the argument to be more properly drawn?

A. It is impossible to tell for certain by examining the fossil record whether dinosaurs were warm-blooded like birds or cold-blooded like reptiles.
B. Therapod dinosaurs evolved feathers in place of scales because feathers conferred greater protection against the cold.
C. The existence of so many uniquely linked characteristics cannot be explained by convergent evolution, the development of similarities in separate lineages through the operation of similar selective factors on both lines.
D. Several of the supporters of the theory that birds evolved from dinosaurs are paleontologists who are highly regarded in their field.
E. The earliest "feathered dinosaur" fossil found has been dated at 129 million years old, while the earliest "true bird" fossil has been dated at 150 million years old.
[spoiler]
OA - C I marked - D
I agree that C is right after reading the explanation. What is the problem with D?
Since some scientists have given some results and explanations. Their integrity is necessarily n assumption which is states by D.[/spoiler]
the third option is undoubtedly the supporter. but i dont think that d also supports the conclusion.
in the very first line,it's mentioned that since 18.. paleontologist have been arguing.
several (implies many,but still unwarranted to consider "most") of the supporters are highly regarded doesnt mean that several of the critics are not or can't be highly regarded.in this case it becomes a fight of highly regarded vs highly regarded(outcome cant be forseen).