I think there is a difference between 'life form' and 'single -cell life form'
For me it was a choice between B and E.
B is a better answer.

"A detailed lab analysis of a meteorite recently discovered in Antarctica revealed that the meteorite has geological characteristics common to the planet Mars. To date, scientists have not found these characteristics anywhere other than on Mars."
Meteorite discovered in Antarctica -> Meteorite has geological characteristics common in Mars -> scientists have not seen such characteristics anywhere else other than Mars

Are the scientists in agreement that the meteorite definitely belongs to mars? i think not
it MAY have been from Mars, at least that's what the evidence suggests.

"using a technique called "acid-etching" scientist found that the meteorite contained fossilized remains of single-cell life forms."
The premise never says that the fossilized remains were part meteorite before it hit earth.Maybe the life form was originally from earth and later got fossilized on the rock. he test ONLY confirms the presence of life form on the meteorite.

Option A does look a bit extreme imo.

A detailed lab analysis of a meteorite recently discovered in Antarctica revealed that the meteorite has geological characteristics common to the planet Mars. To date, scientists have not found these characteristics anywhere other than on Mars.using a technique called "acid-etching" scientist found that the meteorite contained fossilized remains of single-cell life forms.

The statement above, if true, best support which of the following as a conclusion?

a) The fossilized remains indicate that life exists on Mars
The remains of single-cell life forms were found. That doesn't substantiate the idea that life currently exists on Mars. We find dinosaur fossils here on Earth, but no dinosaurs exist today.
b)The scientists have evidence to support a hypothesis that the meteorite came from mars.
The geological characteristics found in the meteorite are common to the geology of Mars. Scientist have only found these characteristics on Mars, so this is enough evidence to support the hypothesis.
c) The meteorite represents a substantial step forward in human knowledge of the development of life in the solar system.Totally out of the scope of the argument.
d) undiscovered meteorites currently exist in Antarctica
They could exist anywhere in the world.
e) "Acid - etching" is necessary to confirm the existence of fossilized remains in meteorites.
This is just one process that scientists use to further examine the meteorite. There could be many other processes that aren't mentioned.

B is the correct answer

Its possible that single cell life form was deposited after meteorite landed in antartica. Only thing scientist can hypothise is that probably meteor came from Mars. So B

Between B and E,E is too strong.
B prevails.

I agree that A is too strong. However, if we choose B, the conclusion has nothing to do with the last phrase "using a technique called "acid-etching" scientist found that the meteorite contained fossilized remains of single-cell life forms." Hence, I think that the reasoning is not very logic.

Can anyone explain me?

You are right, it doesn't follow a chain of logic. This is more a series of facts.

For example:
"Tim likes blue things. The car is blue. The house is red"

What is a possible conclusion here? Need it involve the last fact? No.

Posted from my mobile device

a) The fossilized remains indicate that life exists on Mar
-- fossil remains means there was once life, and nothing else.
b) The scientists have evidence to support a hypothesis that the meteorite came from mars.
-- Correct!
c) The meteorite represents a substantial step forward in human knowledge of the development of life in the solar system.
-- this cant be said, 'Shell building', hence wrong.
d) undiscovered meteorites currently exist in Antarctica
-- cant be said, they only found one.
e) "Acid - etching" is necessary to confirm the existence of fossilized remains in meteorites.
-- others may also exist.

IMO B
If you choose A, you must assume that the fossil remains found in this meteorite actually didn't attack to this meteorite after it travel to the earth.

Definitely B! Shortlisted the answer choices to B and E, but E is a bit too extreme...so went with B..

How can it be B? To date they have not found, but that does not mean that
not finding = attributing it what is found in a limited sample

Am I looking at it the wrong way?

A detailed lab analysis of a meteorite recently discovered in Antarctica revealed that the meteorite has geological characteristics common to the planet Mars. To date, scientists have not found these characteristics anywhere other than on Mars.

(B) The scientists have evidence to support a hypothesis that the meteorite came from Mars.

Since they did not find these characteristics anywhere else, they ASSUME that the meteorite is from Mars. An assumption is not an evidence. That I have seen pizza only when I was in Italy on holiday does not mean that I have an evidence that pizza is an Italian food. Can anyone explain to me why the answer is B? This CR example has no correct answer, in my opinion.

A detailed lab analysis of a meteorite recently discovered in Antarctica revealed that the meteorite has geological characteristics common to the planet Mars. To date, scientists have not found these characteristics anywhere other than on Mars.using a technique called "acid-etching" scientist found that the meteorite contained fossilized remains of single-cell life forms.

The statement above, if true, best support which of the following as a conclusion?

a) The fossilized remains indicate that life exists on Mar -Life "might" exist would have made it a correct choice
b) The scientists have evidence to support a hypothesis that the meteorite came from mars. -Correct
c) The meteorite represents a substantial step forward in human knowledge of the development of life in the solar system. -out of scope
d) undiscovered meteorites currently exist in Antarctica -out of scope
e) "Acid - etching" is necessary to confirm the existence of fossilized remains in meteorites. -it is just one technique

Option B it is ... If you chose option A , just remember that presence of single cell life form only means that life once existed. It does not imply that life exists right now !Option E is too extreme.
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