Thomas Henry Huxley (18251895), one of Charles Darwins earliest and

Question

Thomas Henry Huxley (1825−1895), one of Charles Darwin’s earliest and most staunch defenders, as well as an influential naturalist in his own right, first observed the many similarities between reptiles and birds. Huxley noted, for example, that the wings of a bird hid reptilian fingers. Today, few scientists challenge not only the link between birds and reptiles in general, but between birds and theropods, a group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs. Hundreds of structural similarities exist, including elongated arms, large eye openings, swiveling wrists, three forward-facing toes, and hollow bones.

The most diverse theropod group is the coelurosaurs, a carnivorous bipedal group that includes the Tyrannosaurus rex and the Velociraptor, the latter of which is quite similar to the oldest known bird, the Archaeopteryx. Coelurosauria, in fact, is the clade that contains all theropods more closely related to birds than to carnosaurs, and all coelurosaurs have been thought to possess feathers.

However, a recent find of what seems to be an entirely new—and apparently featherless—coelurosaur has complicated the subject. Several suggestions have been made as to why this particular chicken-sized dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period lacked feathers.

One possibility is that, in some creatures, feathers were replaced by scales because the feathers were not needed for warmth, recognition of family members, or mating rituals—uses that feathers were thought to have had for dinosaurs that did not fly. It is also possible that some coelurosaurs had feathers in only certain geographic areas. Another idea is that this particular coelurosaur was so young that it had not yet grown feathers.

A more fundamentally profound alternative is that, contrary to conventional scientific thought, birds and feathered dinosaurs developed feathers independently of each other rather than from a common ancestor. This would certainly not be the first case of what is known as convergent evolution. Fish and certain mammals can swim,but have evolved this attribute separately. Likewise, insects have wings, but developed them independently from birds. Luckily, the new fossil of what has been named a Juravenator is well-preserved almost in its entirety. More insights into why it did not have feathers will likely lead to new insights into how other animals did develop this trait.   1 
 OA - B 
 1. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in:

(A) presenting possible solutions to a problem that has troubled scientists for years
(B) providing background information and possible explanations for a curious discovery
(C) answering critics of a controversial theory that is supported by a new finding
(D) showing how an established idea can become too entrenched in conventional scientific thought
(E) presenting historical background to a current phenomenon

2 
 OA - D 
 2. According to the passage, the Archaeopteryx _______________________ .

(A) had feathers but did not fly
(B) is the oldest known coelurosaur
(C) was approximately the size of a chicken
(D) shares some similarities with carnivorous dinosaurs
(E) and the Juravenator developed feathers from a common ancestor

3 
 OA - B 
 3. According to the passage, feathers on dinosaurs .

(A) were not used for flight
(B) were not always present at birth
(C) were first noted by Huxley
(D) might have evolved from scales
(E) were a characteristic of all coelurosaurs

4 
 OA - C 
 4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(A) All adult coelurosaurs possessed feathers.
(B) Coelurosaurs who did not need feathers for warmth or mating rituals shed those feathers for scales.
(C) Scientists have reached a consensus that certain birds and dinosaurs are evolutionarily linked.
(D) Thomas Henry Huxley believed in the idea of convergent evolution.
(E) Coeulurosaurs that did not have feathers instead had scales.

5 
 OA - C 
 5. According to the passage, convergent evolution __________.

A. had not been thought to apply to a common trait found in birds and other animals prior to the discovery of the Juravenator fossil
B. has not been shown to apply to humans
C. was not always thought to apply to birds and coelurosaurs
D. was first noticed by Thomas Henry Huxley
E. explains why some dinosaurs developed feathers for warmth

prasun9 · Accepted Answer

OA to question 3 doesn't seem right.

3. According to the passage, feathers on dinosaurs .
(A) were not used for flight
(B) were not always present at birth
(C) were first noted by Huxley
(D) might have evolved from scales
(E) were a characteristic of all coelurosaurs

OA - D  while the passage says quite the opposite :  One possibility is that, in some creatures, feathers were replaced by scales

instead option B fits perfectly based on this line :  Another idea is that this particular coelurosaur was so young that it had not yet grown
feathers.

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

(A) All adult coelurosaurs possessed feathers.
ALL possessed feathers?  Can't say for sure: Eliminate 
(B) Coelurosaurs who did not need feathers for warmth or mating rituals
shed those feathers for scales.
 May Be  
(C) Scientists have reached a consensus that certain birds and dinosaurs
are evolutionarily linked.
 Proof: Today, few scientists challenge not only the link between birds and reptiles in general, but between birds and theropods, a group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs. 
YES! The proof lies here : Today,  few scientists challenge  not only the link between birds and reptiles in general, but between birds and theropods, a group of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs. 
 
(D) Thomas Henry Huxley believed in the idea of convergent evolution.
 Maybe 
(E) Coeulurosaurs that did not have feathers instead had scales.  Maybe

The key to doing well on an inference question to is to ensure that the answer statement is 100% true ALL THE TIME! 
Avoid answer options that are MAYBEs!

Hope that helps!

Ajeeth Peo
Verbal Trainer - CrackVeral

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Responding to the questions one at a time.

First let's discuss the over all idea of the passage:

The passage discusses Huxley and his observation of the similarities between reptiles and birds.
It then discusses coelurosaurs to show this similarity and then discusses an exception (featherless coelurosaurs ) that has caused complications.

Some explanations for this contrast is provided.
Another alternate explanation that opposes the original premise (that feathers = similarity) is provided.
Authors perspective: with more study and understanding we can get a better idea about how close reptiles and birds are.

I've merely paraphrased here : the map above serves as a good reference point of what the passage discusses,
Let's go to question 1

1. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in:

(A) presenting possible solutions to a problem that has troubled scientists
for years. Irrelevant: Doesn't talk about presenting "solutions" to problems
(B) providing background information and possible explanations for a
curious discovery. Maybe: Although not the best possible description of the passage - it isn't wrong!
(C) answering critics of a controversial theory that is supported by a new
finding NO: I have a problem with the word "controversial" suggests that the author thinks that the theory isn't correct (in some way) - this isn't the case
(D) showing how an established idea can become too entrenched in
conventional scientific thought No: Again the option picks up a tone / opinion that is not supported by the author / passage
(E) presenting historical background to a current phenomenon NO: What current phenomenon?

Option B is the most reasonable response - sure it doesn't look too appealing, but few correct options seldom do!
Remember

1. Don't look for an answer that does exactly what you think the correct answer should do
2. Rather- go through each option looking for something incorrect in each - if you find even one point / perspective incorrect; get rid of that option
3. Look out for the author's tone / opinion - ensure that the answer option doesn't go away / against it (if the questions is within that scope).

Hope that helps!

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

Question 2

According to the passage, the Archaeopteryx _______________________ .

The scope for this is in the second paragraph - so let me read that scope and find out what the passage says about it.

The most diverse theropod group is the coelurosaurs, a carnivorous bipedal group that includes the Tyrannosaurus rex and the Velociraptor, the latter of which is quite 
 similar to the oldest known bird, the Archaeopteryx.  Coelurosauria, in fact, is the clade that contains all theropods more closely related to birds than to carnosaurs, and all 
coelurosaurs have been thought to possess feathers.

Archaeopteryx is a Bird and the Velociraptor a reptile (dinosaur) was similar to this bird.

Let's look at the answers

(A) had feathers but did not fly -  We have no idea if it did or didn't (remember NOT to bring background information into RC passages)  
(B) is the oldest known coelurosaur  Nope this was a bird!  
(C) was approximately the size of a chicken  We have no idea 
(D) shares some similarities with carnivorous dinosaurs  YES!  
(E) and the Juravenator developed feathers from a common ancestor  No Idea!

For such question that ask for specific info about something discussed - read the scope (the place where that entity is discussed) 
and make sure that the options don't expect you to speculate - answer only based on what the passage suggests.
 Remember NOT to bring background info into RC passages; respond only based on what the passage says and NOTHING else!

Hope that helps,
Ajeeth Peo 
Verbal Trainer - CrackVerbal

CrackverbalGMAT · Answer

3. According to the passage, feathers on dinosaurs .
(A) were  not  used for flight -  NO! We don't know this for sure  
(B) were  not always  present at birth  NO! We don't know this for sure 
(C) were first noted by Huxley  NO! the passage never says that it was FIRST noted by Huxley 
(D) might have evolved from scales  Perhaps: scope is her - "One possibility is that, in some creatures, feathers were replaced by scales because the feathers were not needed for warmth, recognition of family members, or mating rituals—uses that feathers were thought to have had for dinosaurs that did not fly." 
(E) were a characteristic of all coelurosaurs   ALL coelurosaurs? we don't know for sure

Option D therefore is the most reasonable response

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

My two cents to add up to debate :

1. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in:
(A) presenting possible solutions to a problem that has troubled scientists for years 
No (Is there any problem that troubled scientists for many years )

(B) providing background information and possible explanations for a curious discovery 
 Might Be ( a recent find of what seems to be an entirely new—and apparently featherless—coelurosaur has complicated the subject.)
and we got three possible explanations following this paragraph

(C) answering critics of a controversial theory that is supported by a new finding
(Tone is not supported by passage : "critics of controversial theory" and is we refer to the scientists who challenge evolution theory , they are never answered in passage)

(D) showing how an established idea can become too entrenched in conventional scientific thought
(Again tone is not supported : was the idea established ? did it become entrenched in  conventional  thought)

(E) presenting historical background to a current phenomenon
(which current phenomenon ? )

2. According to the passage, the Archaeopteryx _______________________ .
(A) had feathers but did not fly (It had feathers we don't know about fly)
(B) is the oldest known coelurosaur (It is a bird not a coelurosaur, it is similar though)
(C) was approximately the size of a chicken (Its size is nowhere given)
 (D) shares some similarities with carnivorous dinosaurs (Yes one for sure and that is presence of feathers) 
(E) and the Juravenator developed feathers from a common ancestor (No link mentioned anywhere)

3. According to the passage, feathers on dinosaurs .
(A) were not used for flight (were not always used for flight might be worth thinking , this line means they were never used for flight and that is wrong)
 (B) were not always present at birth (Yes for sure) (Another idea is that this particular coelurosaur was so young that it had not yet grown feathers.)  
(C) were first noted by Huxley (Huxley was only mentioned in first paragraph)
(D) might have evolved from scales (scales might have evolved from feathers not the other way round)
(E) were a characteristic of all coelurosaurs (All is a strong word, we know one recent discovery this particular chicken-sized dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period lacked feathers

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(A) All adult coelurosaurs possessed feathers. (They were thought to have but now we have one exception, we don't know it was adult or not) 
(B) Coelurosaurs who did not need feathers for warmth or mating rituals shed those feathers for scales. (It is one of possibility and not sure)
(C) Scientists have reached a consensus that certain birds and dinosaurs are evolutionarily linked. (No Consensus till now, research is still on)
(D) Thomas Henry Huxley believed in the idea of convergent evolution. (No convergent evolution means "evolution of attributes separately" this was not his line of thought )
 (E) Coeulurosaurs that did not have feathers instead had scales. Only option, tricky one though
1. All Coelurosaurs were thought to have feathers
2. Now, We know one exception
3. Possible explanation of this exception is that if feather was not required it was replaced by scales
4. Therefore this one exceptional case had scales.

Mansoor50 · Answer

Hi......but the last line in the second para says it clealry:

and all coelurosaurs have been thought to possess feathers.

so that makes E correct...no?

vsnair9 · Answer

"have been THOUGHT to possess feathers". This is different from quoting "Were a characteristic of ALL coelurosaurs". The former is a musing, the latter is a hard hitting fact. I believe the option is too extreme to qualify as an answer, hence it can't be E.

The only answer somewhat close is D. But I don't think it is airtight as well, since in all probability (what I gathered from the passage) is that scales evolved from feathers, & not the other way round (as option D states).

IMO, I'd still go for D, but curious to know if there's any logic I'm missing.

Can any Verbal expert help here?

GMATStudyStudent · Answer

Additional Question:

5. According to the passage, convergent evolution __________.

A. had not been thought to apply to a common trait found in birds and other animals prior to the discovery of the Juravenator fossil
B. has not been shown to apply to humans
C. was not always thought to apply to birds and coelurosaurs
D. was first noticed by Thomas Henry Huxley
E. explains why some dinosaurs developed feathers for warmth

OE:
The presence of the phrase “according to the passage” should tell you that you’ll want to go back to the passage to find the discussion of convergent evolution. That term is mentioned in the fourth paragraph, in the sentence “this would certainly not be the first case of what is known as convergent evolution.” When you look at the sentence above (for a referent for the pronoun “this”) you should see the caveat “contrary to conventional scientific thought.” This supports answer choice C: the purpose of this paragraph is to give a possible explanation for why birds and coelurosaurs both have feathers, and you’re told in this sentence that this explanation (convergent evolution) goes against conventional wisdom. Thus you can prove that this theory was “not always thought to apply to birds and coelurosaurs.”

OA: C

Difficulty Level: 650-700

Gemmie · Answer

1. In the passage, the author is primarily interested in:
(B) providing background information and possible explanations for a curious discovery

The passage introduces the discovery of a featherless coelurosaur, then explores possible explanations for this surprising find.

(A) Isn't quite accurate. While the passage discusses a problem (featherless coelurosaur), it doesn't focus on established solutions.

(C) There's no mention of critics or a controversial theory.

(D) The passage doesn't focus on challenging established ideas, but rather on a new discovery that might require rethinking assumptions about feathers in coelurosaurs.

(E) While there's some historical context, the primary focus is on the new finding and its implications.

2. According to the passage, the Archaeopteryx
(D) shares some similarities with carnivorous dinosaurs

The passage explicitly states that the Velociraptor, a coelurosaur, is similar to Archaeopteryx, implying both share some features with carnivorous dinosaurs.

(A) The passage doesn't mention Archaeopteryx's flight capabilities.

(B) The passage calls Archaeopteryx the "oldest known bird," not coelurosaur. Coelurosaurs are a theropod group that includes birds.

(C) No size comparison is made for Archaeopteryx.

(E) The passage presents the featherless Juravenator as a challenge to the idea of a common ancestor for feathers in birds and dinosaurs.

3. According to the passage, feathers on dinosaurs .
(D) might have evolved from scales

The passage specifically mentions the possibility that feathers evolved from scales as an explanation for the featherless Juravenator.

(A) The passage doesn't definitively say feathers weren't used for flight, although it mentions other possible uses.

(B) There's no mention in the passage about feathers being present or not at birth.

(C) Huxley noted similarities between birds and reptiles, not necessarily feathers on dinosaurs.

(E) The newly discovered featherless coelurosaur challenges the idea that all coelurosaurs had feathers

4. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
(C) Scientists have reached a consensus that certain birds and dinosaurs are evolutionarily linked.

The passage highlights the strong evidence for a link between birds and theropod dinosaurs, suggesting a consensus among scientists. (A) This cannot be inferred because the passage mentions a recent find of a featherless coelurosaur, indicating not all coelurosaurs may have had feathers.

(B) This cannot be definitively inferred from the passage. While the passage suggests the possibility that feathers were replaced by scales due to lack of need, it does not state that this definitely happened.

(D) This cannot be inferred because the passage does not discuss Huxley's beliefs about convergent evolution.

(E) This cannot be definitively inferred either. The passage mentions that feathers might have been replaced by scales but does not state this as a fact.

5. According to the passage, convergent evolution __________.
C. was not always thought to apply to birds and coelurosaurs

This aligns well with the passage. The discovery of the featherless coelurosaur forces scientists to consider the possibility of convergent evolution for feathers in birds and dinosaurs, which previously might have been assumed to share a common ancestor for this trait.

(A) This is a bit too strong. Convergent evolution was likely known before the Juravenator discovery, but the passage suggests it challenges the assumption that feathers in birds and coelurosaurs had a common ancestor.

(B) The passage doesn't focus on humans and convergent evolution.

(D) Huxley's observations were about similarities between birds and reptiles, not specifically about convergent evolution.

(E) The passage discusses the possibility of feathers for warmth, but the main focus is on the challenge to the common ancestor idea for feathers in birds and coelurosaurs.

sayan640 · Answer

MartyMurray   KarishmaB 
I rejected option B after seeing this -  Another idea is that this particular coelurosaur was so young that it had not yet grown feathers. 
Regarding optionD , i  inferred that scales evolved from feathers and not the other way around.. feathers were replaced by scales.. 
Where did I make mistake ? Kindly help.  AjiteshArun

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi sayan640,

I agree that option D is the exact opposite of what is mentioned in the passage, and therefore D cannot be the answer to Q3.

Sajjad1994  There may be an error in the OA for Q3.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Hello Ajitesh

I didn't have the official source of this question with me. Can you confirm the OA is B?

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi Sajjad,

B is better than D, because D is definitely incorrect (it's the exact opposite of what is mentioned in the passage). The passage says "feathers were replaced by scales", which indicates { feathers → scales }. Option D basically says "feathers on dinosaurs might have evolved from scales", or { scales → feathers }.

Option B does have some support ("Another idea is that this particular coelurosaur was so young that it had not yet grown feathers"). Not 100% happy with this option either, but I would choose B if I had to solve this question.

VerbalBot · Answer

Automated notice from GMAT Club VerbalBot: 

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

 This post was generated automatically.

Thomas Henry Huxley (18251895), one of Charles Darwins earliest and

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Thomas Henry Huxley (18251895), one of Charles Darwins earliest and

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards