A research expedition directed by Dr. Maria Santos uncovered fossilized specimens of a previously undocumented dinosaur species in Argentina. The...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
A research expedition directed by Dr. Maria Santos uncovered fossilized specimens of a previously undocumented dinosaur species in Argentina. The specimens exhibit characteristics including feather impressions and an unusually light skeletal framework. Certain scientists propose that this species maintained a predominantly arboreal (tree-dwelling) existence.
Which discovery, if accurate, would provide the strongest direct evidence for the scientists' proposition?
Fossilized specimens of this species have been located solely within ancient woodland ecosystems that supported towering trees throughout that prehistoric era.
This species displays structural characteristics comparable to other dinosaur species that inhabited the identical geographic area during the corresponding temporal period.
Additional dinosaur species possessing analogous skeletal frameworks have been documented across diverse habitats, including locations adjacent to prehistoric lake systems.
Supplementary fossils recovered from the identical excavation site encompass remnants of prehistoric vegetation characteristic of forested ecosystems.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "A research expedition directed by Dr. Maria Santos uncovered fossilized specimens of a previously undocumented dinosaur species in Argentina." |
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| "The specimens exhibit characteristics including feather impressions and an unusually light skeletal framework." |
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| "Certain scientists propose that this species maintained a predominantly arboreal (tree-dwelling) existence." |
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Part B: Passage Architecture and Core Elements
Main Point: Scientists discovered a new dinosaur species with feathers and light bones and hypothesize it lived in trees.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces a fossil discovery, describes the key physical characteristics found, and then presents the scientific interpretation that these features suggest an arboreal lifestyle.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The evidence should directly connect to tree-dwelling behavior, not just general characteristics
- It should be specific to this species or very closely related circumstances
- It should provide the strongest possible link between the discovery and arboreal lifestyle
- Finding this species exclusively in ancient forest environments would be direct evidence they lived in trees
- The right answer should show that this species was found specifically in tree-rich environments, proving they actually lived where trees were available
Fossilized specimens of this species have been located solely within ancient woodland ecosystems that supported towering trees throughout that prehistoric era.
- Finding fossils only in ancient woodland ecosystems with towering trees directly proves the species lived where trees existed
- This is the strongest direct evidence because it shows the species' actual habitat matched the tree-dwelling hypothesis
This species displays structural characteristics comparable to other dinosaur species that inhabited the identical geographic area during the corresponding temporal period.
- Says this species has characteristics similar to other dinosaurs from the same area and time
- This doesn't provide evidence for tree-dwelling specifically - similar characteristics could exist in ground-dwelling species too
Additional dinosaur species possessing analogous skeletal frameworks have been documented across diverse habitats, including locations adjacent to prehistoric lake systems.
- States that other species with similar frameworks lived in diverse habitats including near lakes
- This actually weakens the tree-dwelling argument by showing similar species lived in non-arboreal environments
Supplementary fossils recovered from the identical excavation site encompass remnants of prehistoric vegetation characteristic of forested ecosystems.
- Finding prehistoric vegetation at the same site shows forests existed but doesn't prove the dinosaur lived in the trees
- The vegetation could support ground-dwelling forest species just as well