Recently, a team of scientists digging through a tar pit unearthed a jawbone fossil. Initially, the team hypothesized that the jawbone came from a young gomphothere, a now extinct distant relative of the elephant, since the teeth were those of a juvenile. The gomphothere, however, is known for its large molars, and the teeth on the jawbone would not allow enough room for the molars of an adult gomphothere to fit. Based on this evidence, the scientists conclude that the jawbone fossil provides evidence of a distinct species closely related to the gomphothere.
Which of the following, if true, would best provide evidence showing that the conclusion above is possibly flawed?
A) The manner in which teeth grow provide sufficient evidence for the accurate classification of a bygone species.
B) In order for the molars of an adult gomphothereto emerge, several juvenile teeth are first forced out of the gums to accommodate the molars.
C) The molars of an adult mastodon, a close relative of the gomphothere, are similar in size to those of an adult gomphothere.
D) Many fossils exist that have yet to be conclusively attributed to any one species.
E) The juvenile jawbone of a species related to a gomphothere is longer than the juvenile jawbone of a gomphothere.
OA B
Source: Magoosh
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Recently, a team of scientists digging through a tar pit une
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We need to find alternative evidence that will show that the conclusion the argument is flawed.
Premise: a jawbone found by a team of scientists was said to be the jawbone from young gomphotheres.
Conclusion: the jawbone fossils belong to a district species closely related to the gomphotheres.
Option A:- Incorrect
This is true, which is why the jawbone could be attributed to a species. It doesn't show that the conclusion is flawed.
Option B:- correct
This shows that the jawbone found might belong to young gomphotheres whose teeth are yet to be forced out of the gums to accommodate the molars. If true, it means the conclusion given by the scientist is flawed.
Option C:- Incorrect
The argument is concerned about the gomphotheres, which are a close relative to the Elephant, any other species besides this is outside the scope of the argument.
Option D:- Incorrect
If true, then it doesn't have any effect on the argument.
Option E:- Incorrect
The argument is not concerned with the length of the jawbones of the gomphotheres and that of the species closely related to it.
Premise: a jawbone found by a team of scientists was said to be the jawbone from young gomphotheres.
Conclusion: the jawbone fossils belong to a district species closely related to the gomphotheres.
Option A:- Incorrect
This is true, which is why the jawbone could be attributed to a species. It doesn't show that the conclusion is flawed.
Option B:- correct
This shows that the jawbone found might belong to young gomphotheres whose teeth are yet to be forced out of the gums to accommodate the molars. If true, it means the conclusion given by the scientist is flawed.
Option C:- Incorrect
The argument is concerned about the gomphotheres, which are a close relative to the Elephant, any other species besides this is outside the scope of the argument.
Option D:- Incorrect
If true, then it doesn't have any effect on the argument.
Option E:- Incorrect
The argument is not concerned with the length of the jawbones of the gomphotheres and that of the species closely related to it.
