Vineetk wrote:
The fossil remains of Sinosauropteryx dinosaur recently discovered in china had a thin layer of outline around its skeletal structure, suggesting that it had feathers. But critics stated that the most common function of the feathers is to enable flight or to provide insulation. Since flight was not possible because of the enormous structure and weight of the dinosaur and insulation was not possible because of outline's position, the outline was not that of feathers but rather of frills.
Which of the following, if true, would, together with the information above, provides the best basis for claim that layer of outline is the fossils remains of feathers?
A. There are many other Sinosauropteryx fossils found in Germany that also had the same thin layer of outline.
B. Apart from the above discovery, many scientists believed that Protarcharopteryx belonging to the same genera as that of Sinosauropteryx had feathers.
C. Many carvings depicting flying dinosaurs especially with structures such as those of Sinosauropteryx were discovered recently.
D. In many animal fossils, fiber from skin tissues form a thin layer of outline around animal's skeletal structure.
E. The chemical composition revealed that the outline was made of white and orange colors, strongly suggesting the display function of feathers as in peacocks.
We need to strengthen the conclusion that the outline is the fossil remains of feathers, not frills.
A. So what? This info is about other Sinosauropteryx fossils, not the one in the argument.
B. The fact that Protarcharopteryx belonging to the same genera as that of Sinosauropteryx had feathers does not say anything about the outline is fossil remains of feathers.
C. Again, this doesn't touch the point we need to strengthen here. Always remember the conclusion that needs to be strengthen: outline is fossil remains of feathers, not frills.
D. The fact that fiber from skin tissues form a thin layer of outline around animal's skeletal structure somehow repeats the premises. It doesn't touch the conclusion: outline is fossil remains of feathers, not frills.
E.
Correct. It provides additional information: chemical composition of outline strongly suggests that the outline has some links with feathers.