Archaeologists have found that strings from hunting bows used in ancient times were made of either animal parts such as sinews and hair or durable plant fibers such as linen or hemp. Several bows equipped with such bowstrings survived in sealed tombs, and were still capable of firing a projectile after being discovered. Archaeologists hypothesized that originally these ancient bowstrings had superior strength to that of current synthetic bowstrings.

Which of the following investigations is most likely to yield significant information that would help evaluate the archaeologists' hypothesis?

A) Measuring the tensile strength of an animal product bowstring and that of a plant fiber bowstring and determining which one is stronger
B) Examining the materials of which ancient bows were made and forming a comparison with those used to manufacture modern-day bows
C) Comparing the tensile strength of a modern-day bowstring with that of a new string made of animal parts or plant fibers
D) Measuring the force of a projectile fired from a modern-day bow fitted with a bowstring made of animal/plant materials
E) Comparing the force of a projectile fired from an ancient bow found in the tomb to that of a projectile fired from a modern-day bow
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Hi Harley1980 / grr8pe ,

Totally stuck between C and E.
Can you please explain why E is wrong.

My Approach-

Conclusion- Archaeologists hypothesized that originally these ancient bowstrings had superior strength to that of current synthetic bowstrings.

Now, if we ask question that, What was the reasoning behind this hypothesis...?? then the answer is
"Because the ancient bowstring survived in sealed tombs were still capable of firing a projectile after being discovered"

Here the premise depends on PROJECTILE. So, it is directly related with FORCE BEHIND IT
Might be the projectile landed with ancient bowstring was launched with greater force....



Query--

Is the answer C because the premise says "ancient bowstring survived in sealed tombs were STILL CAPABLE OF FIRING a projectile after being discovered"

By this we get to know that BOWSTRING is still IN STATE of firing.

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If the premise would have been-

"ancient bowstring survived in sealed tombs were OFFERED GOOD PROJECTILE then modern bowstring.

I hope now we are concerned with force behind it and so C should be the answer in this case..??
Am I correct..??

Please assist.
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E is wrong because we're looking to compare the original bow strength of animal/plant string to current synthetic string, as evidenced by this sentence: "Archaeologists hypothesized that originally these ancient bowstrings had superior strength to that of current synthetic bowstrings." Option E would have us comparing aged animal/plant string to current synthetic string.

Archaeologists have found that strings from hunting bows used in ancient times were made of either animal parts such as sinews and hair or durable plant fibers such as linen or hemp. Several bows equipped with such bowstrings survived in sealed tombs, and were still capable of firing a projectile after being discovered. Archaeologists hypothesized that originally these ancient bowstrings had superior strength to that of current synthetic bowstrings.

Best way to do is by POE , I think
Conclusion says , originally old bowstrings did have superior strength to new bowstrings
So , it compares strength of two BOWSTRINGS. So , BOWs are really out of question

(A) Measuring the tensile strength of an animal product bowstring and that of a plant fiber bowstring and determining which one is stronger
It does not compares old bowstring and new bowstring. so insufficient

(B)Examining the materials of which ancient bows were made and forming a comparison with those used to manufacture modern-day bows
It compares bows. We do not need to compare bows. Hence eliminated

(C)Comparing the tensile strength of a modern-day bowstring with that of a new string made of animal parts or plant fibers
This one compares BOWSTRINGS. It compares modern day string with a newly made string that is made of similar material.
Why they produced a new bowstring using the same material? Because they need to compare bow strings in ORIGINAL condition(Read the conclusion again)
A current synthetic bowstrings can be found in Original Condition. Because it is still in the market
But , how can we get a old fashioned bowstring in original condition. We have to manufacture a new one using the same old materials

(D)Measuring the force of a projectile fired from a modern-day bow fitted with a bowstring made of animal/plant materials
Again they are using bows. Bows are just not needed here

(E)Comparing the force of a projectile fired from an ancient bow found in the tomb to that of a projectile fired from a modern-day bow
This is cliché now. We really do not need a BOW. we need Bow Strings

Hence answer is (C)

POE
However , if you look closely , (B) (D) AND (E) are all about Bows and they can all be eliminated
(A) does not take old and new material in account. Hence this is also can be eliminated
only (C) remains and qualifies for the answer. we really do not need to spend much time on finding a suitable reasoning here

Hope this helps
Tryambak
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