In analyzing the fossil record, paleontologists have found that species with broader geographic ranges tend to survive longer than those with more localized habitats. One explanation is that widespread species are more resilient to localized environmental disturbances, such as droughts or disease outbreaks. Consequently, researchers argue that species with larger habitat ranges are more likely to persist over evolutionary timescales than those with limited distribution. Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the reasoning in the argument above? A. Species with broad geographic ranges often experience high levels of genetic divergence across subpopulations, making them more vulnerable to speciation and eventual extinction. B. Several species that went extinct during past global extinction events had significantly larger habitat ranges than many surviving species. C. Localized species are often better adapted to niche ecosystems and may evolve specialized traits that increase their chances of surviving specific environmental changes. D. Fossil evidence is incomplete and may overrepresent species with larger ranges, which are more likely to leave behind fossil traces across regions. E. Some species with limited geographic ranges have persisted for tens of millions of years without significant change. V40-18

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: In analyzing the

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MartyMurray

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20 Apr 2026, 09:45

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gullyboy09

Hi Bunuel, MartyMurray, can you please help me with this question. What my understanding of this question was one observation was given - "paleontologists have found that species with broader geographic ranges tend to survive longer than those with more localized habitats.", and why this is happening, explanation followed in the passage.

Now question was undermining the reasoning, means, we should try to weaken the reason given (i.e. explanation). Now this can be done by weakening the explanation itself or finding alternative explanation. But what D does is, it destroys the premise instead. I had assumed that what paleontologists observed is true but explanation given for this phenomenon is something we need to weaken. Can you please help me with this query? D doesn't undermine the "reasoning".

This question doesn't really work and needs to be fixed so that the issue you've highlighted is addressed.

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20 Apr 2026, 09:48

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Hi bb, Bunuel, can you please look into the below and fix the question so other people who might get this in sectional test won't face the issue (I got this in my sectional today).

MartyMurray

This question doesn't really work and needs to be fixed so that the issue you've highlighted is addressed.

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20 Apr 2026, 10:02

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Thank you gullyboy09 and MartyMurray,

This question is experimental at this time and should not have impact on the test score. (I have sent you an invite to the new adaptive algorithm gullyboy09).
However, let me review this question in more detail with the expert team to take into consideration the feedback and also check the test results on the quality of this question.

-BB