Two paleontologists, Dr Tyson and Dr. Rees, disagree over the interpretation of certain footprints that were left among other footprints in hardened volcanic ash at site G. Dr. Tyson claims they are clearly early hominid footprints since they show human characteristics: a squarish heel and a big toe immediately adjacent to the next toe. However, since the footprints indicate that if hominids made those prints they would have had to walk in an unexpected cross-stepping manner, by placing the left foot to the right of the right foot. Dr. Rees rejects Dr. Tyson’s conclusion.

The disagreement between the two paleontologists is over which one of the following?
(A) the relative significance of various aspects of the evidence
(B) the assumption that early hominid footprints are distinguishable from other footprints
(C) the possibility of using the evidence of footprints to determine the gait of the creature that made those footprints
(D) the assumption that evidence from one paleontologic site is enough to support a conclusion
(E) the likelihood that early hominids would have walked upright on two feet

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines Dr. Tyson’s conclusion?
(A) The foot prints showing human characteristics were clearly those of at least two distinct individuals.
(B) Certain species of bears had feet very like human feet, except that the outside toe on each foot was the biggest toe and the innermost toe was the smallest toe.
(C) Footprints shaped like a human’s that do not show a cross-stepping pattern exist at site M, which is a mile away from site G, and the two sets of footprints are contemporaneous.
(D) When the moist volcanic ash became sealed under additional layers of ash before hardening, some details of some of the footprints were erased.
(E) Most of the other footprints at site G were of animals with hooves.
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IMO:
1. A
2. A

1. Dr. T is arguing on the structure of foot print while Dr. R arguing on the way of walking. Both are different approaches or different aspects of one evidence. Only A is focusing on both of these while B/C/D/E are either focusing on just one aspect or irrelevant info.

2. Dr. T is arguing on the structure of foot print, which leads to hominids. If it is shown that the structure is similar to more than one category then we can weaken Dr. T's argument. A does that.



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1) A
2)B

I went for 'A' for first one. why 'A' is not correct?? wats justification for 'B'?

On 2nd I choose 'A'. I rejected 'B' coz it states some bear's foot are similar to humans but doesnt say they were actually seen near volcanic footprints.

I went for B and B.

After reading thru the explanation realized it should A for the first one.

but I still think it should be B for the second one.

What is the OA?

I think for the second one the OA is A and not B because,
If the toe for the bear is on the outside then the two toes would not be adjacent to one another.
On the other hand if the prints belonged to two different individuals then the premise used by dr tyson could be negated. What do you'll think?

and i think its high time someone posted the OA

Thank you for putting me out of my misery. It is an excellent explanation :D

1. A
2. B

1.A 2.B

i think this was a bit challenging but managed to handle it right
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One Dr., by going with the size of the foot print, interprets the data in one way and the other going by the arrangement interprets the data in another way (though the second interpretation contradicts the first one, its a different story)

So, the data is significant.
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