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CR question ... can anyone help

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by kamathshailesh » Sat Apr 17, 2010 10:35 pm
In Swartkans territory, archeaologists discovered charred bone fragments dating back one million years. Analysis of the fragments, which came from variety of animals, showed that they had been heated to temperatures no higher than those produced in experimental campfires made from branches of white stinkwood, the most common tree around Swartkans.

Which of the following, if true, would, together with the information above, provide the best basis for the claim that the charred bone fragments are eveidence of the use of fire by early hominids?

(A) The white stinkwood tree is used for building material by the present day inhabitants of Swartkans.

(B) Forest fires can heat wood to a range of temperatures that occur in camfires.

(C) The bone fragments were fitted together to form the complete skeletons of several animals.

(D) Apart from the Swartkans discovery, there is reliable eveidence that early hominids used fire as many as 500,000 years ago.

(E) The bone fragments were found in several distinct layers of limestone that contained primitive cutting tools known to have been used by early hominids.
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Source: — Critical Reasoning |

by paddle_sweep » Sat Apr 17, 2010 10:50 pm
I think,the answer is "E".
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by pradeepkaushal9518 » Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:08 pm
A tell about present conditions not of million year back so incorrect
B it doest give any strong evidence
C nothing is mentioned like that
D not logical
E he bone fragments were found in several distinct layers of limestone that contained primitive cutting tools known to have been used by early hominids. this helps
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by T11 » Sat Apr 17, 2010 11:31 pm
Hi,

(A) This is irrelevant as the situation being discussed dates back 1 mn years.

(B) This actually weakens the conclusion by bringing in the possibility that the charred bone fragments could be the result of a forest fire.

(C) This again is irrelevant to a certain extent as the argument is about the use of fire. It may have been relevant if the discussion were about for example, the use of cutting tools.

(D) Not really a contender as the argument is about a period a Mn years ago.

(E) By POE this is the best answeras it is the best basis for the claim. (I mention POE because E itself is questionable as a claim - it is possible that a forest fire occured 1 Mn years ago - The tools got there 800,000 years ago - And the limestone formed anytime after that!).

T
Chance favors the prepared mind.
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by liferocks » Sun Apr 18, 2010 12:35 am
IMO its D..others are not fitting. Here is why

A. irrelevant
B. Providing alternate reason of the origin of the charred bones other than human created fire.
C. Irrelevant
D. Provides evidence that early hominids used fire as early as a million years ago.Since they knew the usage of fire charred bone can be created from campfire
E. This proves that the charred bones and early hominids are from same period but this does not prove that the bones were created by man made fire

@kamathshailesh can you please confirm OA
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by ironstar37 » Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:40 am
I think OA is E here
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by pkw209 » Mon Apr 19, 2010 4:22 pm
E.

D can't be the answer -->as many as 500,000 years vs. one million years.
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by kamathshailesh » Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:36 pm
Thanks for the sharing your thoughts on the question.

The correct answer is E.
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