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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 11:42
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(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.

The long-distance call not being useful does not negate having the ability to make one.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.

We don't know if they had the ability or not. So this information is not helpful.

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.

"Slightly" more rigid is not enough to make them capable of making a loud sound.

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.

This is not relevant to the fact that they had the capability to make a loud sound or not.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.

This could negate the reasoning. Since it directory talks about the structure of the crest, that could have contributed to the capability of making a loud sound.

Option E is correct.

Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 11:44
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Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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The passage starts describing about a fossil evidence of a dinosaur by a Paleontologist - mentions the crest is connected to the nasal passage by a hollow tube. One researcher mentions the crest as a tool to produce sounds so high that it has travelled a long distance, and must have been used for Long distance communication.

Paleontologist mentions that the hypothesis mentioned by the research is implausible - for sound to exceeds 100 decibels. The crest structure is not capable to produce such long distance high decibel sounds is the premise supporting his statement.

we need to rebut the Paleontologist.


(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.

This strengthens the Paleontologists statements. Eliminate.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.

Comparisons with herbivores species is of no use. Eliminating it.

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.

Strength of the crest is not a factor to be debated. So, eliminate.

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.

This statement is irrelevant. Eliminating it.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.

There must have been certain specialised soft tissue structures which are not fossilized and would have been of greater use to make such sounds. Hence this is correct.

Option E
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 11:52
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Option E offers a clear escape from the volume objection it points out that soft tissues, now lost to fossilization, could have worked with the hollow tubes to amplify calls above 100 dB. In that scenario, absence of bony capability no longer implies failure to reach the necessary volume.
Option A draws attention to herd travel that detail may bear on call usefulness but says nothing about sound level. Option B notes similar crest shapes in other herbivores that fact fails to address how loud any one species could roar. Option C claims cartilage lent extra rigidity to the crest rigidity alone cannot guarantee a boost past 100 dB. Option D assigns extra roles such as heat control to the crest thermoregulation does not speak to acoustic power.
Only E removes the objection at its root by introducing additional anatomy able to drive a roar loud enough for long‐distance calls.

Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 11:57
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(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
-> Not relevant to the ability of the crest.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
-> Just mention about structures, not relevant to the capacity of the crest.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
-> Can be considered, but whether more rigid mean being able to produce louder resonant calls for long-distance communication?
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
-> Not mention whether sound production is loud enough [i]for long-distance communication [/i]
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
-> Involving in vocalization shows there’s some way the animal could have produced that volume -> Rebut the paleontologist’s objection
=> E
Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 11:59
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(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
Not giving any relation to sound volume and capacity
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
Not relating anything
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
More rigid, but not indicating that more rigidity is useful for more capacity
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
Multiple functions but not suggesting any relation to capacity and bone
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.

Right ans, as it's showing an alternative that if the structure of the crest was not capable, then it was a soft tissue structure which helped the overall structure to exceed 100 decimals sound
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:05
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The Paleontologist's Objection:
  • The crest hypothesis is implausible because:
    1. Calls would need to exceed 100 decibels for long-distance communication
    2. The crest structure doesn't appear capable of producing such high-volume sound
Analyzing each option:

(A) Herd travel reducing need for long-distance calls - This suggests long-distance communication wasn't necessary, but doesn't directly address the crest's sound-producing capability.

(B) Mentions similar crests in other dinosaurs, but doesn’t say anything about how loud those could be.

(C) Talks about cartilage reinforcement. That might help a little with sound production, but probably not enough to hit 100 decibels

(D) Suggests the crest had multiple functions, like cooling and sound. Again, it doesn’t deal with whether it could produce very loud calls.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that don't fossilize could have been involved - This directly addresses the paleontologist's assumption that we can judge the crest's sound-producing capability from fossilized structure alone. If soft tissues (which don't preserve) were involved in vocalization, then the fossilized crest structure alone wouldn't tell us the full story about its sound-producing potential.

Answer: (E)
This option directly challenges the idea that the fossilized crest tells us everything about sound production. If non-fossilized soft parts played a role, the crest might’ve been much louder than we think.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:07
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Question Stem: Researcher says crest used to produce loud, resonant calls for LD communication. But not possible as Crest is not capable to produce such high volume.

SO objection is the crest is not capable enough. So to rebut, it is to be shown that it could be capable enough!

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness. This more of a supporting argument why crest needn't make LD sounds. Hence eliminate.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species. It says nothing about crest being capable. Hence irrelevant.

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
So it could have been capable enough. Hence could be a rebuttal for the objection. So keep.

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation. Again nothing about crest being capable to produce such LD sounds. Hence eliminate.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus. OK this could also be a supporting argument to show how it could have produced the LD communication sounds. But wait, this doesn't speak about the Crest or the structure of the crest. Hence even if it has helped it doesn't support the researcher or directly rebut the Paleontologist. Hence this is weak. So select strong argument.

Hence Answer is (C).



Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:12
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IMO Answer is E

The Paleontologist concludes that the hypotheses stating Parasaurolophus used its crest to produce loud resonant calls for long distance communication is IMPLAUSIBLE-since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the STRUCTURE of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.



Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.- IRRELEVANT

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.-IRRELEVANT

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone. INTERESTING but since the reinforced cartilage makes the crest more rigid than bone, it doesn't really confirm that it made it loud calls possible and hence doe not rebut the paleontologist's conclusion.

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.IRRELEVANT

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus -CORRECT. the soft tissues that do not fossilize could have been responsible for the loud long distant calls.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:30
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Let' analyze each option:

A. The usefulness of long-distance calls is irrelevant. Also, this is kind of rebuts the hypothesis, but we are looking for a option which rebuts the paleontologist’s objection.

B. This is irrelevant. It neither supports nor weakens the argument.

C. The rigidity of crest is not relevant. There is no direct co-relation established between rigidity of crest and its capability for long-distance communication.

D. This option weekly supports the hypothesis. But it does not provide any evidence regarding crest's ability for long-distance communication..

E. [Correct] Certain Soft tissue structures, of the crest, which may have not fossilized, provided it the capability for producing high-volume sound. Since these tissues didn't fossilize, Paleontologist may have missed to take their role into account.


Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:49
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(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
Challenges the purpose or utility of long-distance calls, not the ability of the crest to produce high-volume sound. It doesn't address the paleontologist's specific argument about the crest's structural limitations for sound production.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
Doesn't provide any information about the sound-producing capabilities of these similar structures, or whether they could achieve the required volume. It doesn't directly counter the paleontologist's claim about Parasaurolophus's crest.

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
Increased rigidity might be beneficial for sound production, "slightly more rigid" doesn't provide strong evidence that it could enable sounds exceeding 100 decibels. The paleontologist's argument is about a significant lack of structural capacity, and "slight" reinforcement doesn't sufficiently overcome that.

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
Suggests additional functions for the crest but doesn't address the core of the paleontologist's objection: whether the crest's structure could produce loud sounds for long distances. A crest can have multiple functions, but that doesn't mean it can achieve a specific decibel level.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
Attacks the premise of the paleontologist's objection. The paleontologist's argument is based solely on the fossilized structure of the crest. If non-fossilizing soft tissues were crucial for vocalization and could contribute to high-volume sound production, then the fossil evidence alone would be insufficient to conclude that the crest was incapable of producing loud calls. This effectively reintroduces a possibility that the paleontologist's structural analysis overlooked.

Regards,
Lucas

Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 12:51
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Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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Option E , this option introduces the possibility that the non preserved soft tissue could have amplified sound, therefore the crest appears in fossil may not reflect the true sound producing system
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 13:02
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Conclusion of the Paleontologist: The hypothesis that Parasaurolophus used its crest for loud, long-distance calls is implausible.
Reasoning of the Paleontologist: Such calls would need to exceed 100 decibels, and the crest's structure does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

A successful rebuttal would challenge the paleontologist's claim that the crest is incapable of producing high-volume sound.

A- This attacks the usefulness of the calls, not the physical capability to produce them.
B - This shows commonality but doesn't explain how the crest could produce high-volume sound.
C - Slight rigidity doesn't confirm the capacity to produce sounds exceeding 100 decibels.
D - This suggests other functions but doesn't address the specific claim about the crest's sound volume capacity.
E - This directly counters the paleontologist's premise by suggesting that non-fossilized parts, not visible in the crest's structure, could have enabled high-volume sound production.

Answer - E

Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 13:21
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Researcher suggestion:
Crest -> Loud Noise

Notation: /' = Strengthen; \, = Weaken; -- = No Impact
Goal: /' Researcher's suggestion
A) \, This suggests a short-distance application is more likely
B) -- OK??
C) /' (crest) + (reinforcement) -> Loud Noise
D) -- "sound production" of the >100 dB variety??
E) -- or \, "could" Were they or were they not??
"involved" As in (crest) + (soft-tissue) -> Loud Noise OR (soft-tissue) -> Loud Noise???

Answer: C
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 14:43
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Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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Conclusion: the hypothesis proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Hypothesis: One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication.

We're asked to effectively weaken the paleontologist’s objection/conclusion
and we're looking for something that might say something about crust and long distance communication directly or inferred.

A) limited usefulness? but does not say anything about crest, Irrelevant.
B) Irrelevant comparison, we know nothing about other species nor we need it.
C) Might be TRUE as it mentions something changed the structure of bone/crest.
D) Irrelevant to the question.
E) New topic mentioned here- soft-tissue that do not fossilize might have been involved in vocalization (but did it help producing long distance calls? or for communication?) we've to make assumptions here.

therefore, best option I'll go for is C after eliminating given options.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 19:08
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Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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See, the whole passage is basicaly 2 premises.
First where it is concluded that these Para are used for long term communication. Second premise tells us that it is wrong as the structire they have found in fossil are not capable enough.

Great, if we read options we find that (A) shared about heard and long distance is not useful but this contradicts second premise and even does not answer us clearly.

Second (B) is irrelevant , Third (C) it tells us nothing about communication or vocal, Now (D) again is irrelevant as it tell us a assumtion but nothing strongly supporting objection.

But, (E) tells us that many soft bones were not able to fossaliz which makes it a strong statement weakning objection
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 19:17
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Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
It is not useful for weakening nor strengthening the paleontologist’s objection.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
"Similar hollow-crest structures" is not very informative for us, nor is "other herbivorous dinosaur species".

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
"Slightly more rigid" is not very informative for us. We do not even know if being "more rigid" is related with "being capable of producing high-volume sound".

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
It is not useful for weakening nor strengthening the paleontologist’s objection.

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
It weakens the objection by showing that other items, that do not fossilize, could be together the fossil evidences to achieve the researcher' view.

Answer = E
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 19:35
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The correct answer choice is (C)

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(Doesn't directly weaken the claim about the structure of the crest, only discusses usefulness)

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(Doesn't relate to the crest and sound production)

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(Directly supports that the structure of the crest could have been stronger than the paleontologist claims and would weaken the claim that the structure is not strong enough for long distance sounds)

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(this does not provide any rebuttal to the claim, just a restatment of the sound production and introduction of a new use)

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
(this seems like a good answer as it discusses a possibility that could back up the sound production but it does not mention or discuss the structure of the crest specifically and strays from the original claim)
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 20:23
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Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
The hypothesis is about "long-distance communication. This option doesn't help the hypothesis to object to the palentologist.

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
no relevant info to help

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
no relevant info to help

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
no relevant info to help

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
This provides new info to support the hypothesis, which is not included in the paleontologist's original objection

Answer: E
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 21:15
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Bunuel
Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication. However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.



 


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(E) is a right answer since it shows the evidence that this hypothesis could be plausible. There could be a soft tissue body parts of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus that do not fossilize and help the dinosaur in making the high-volume sound.
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GMAT Club Olympics 2025 (Day 4): Paleontologist: Fossil evidence 03 Jul 2025, 21:32
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Paleontologist: Fossil evidence suggests that the crest of the dinosaur Parasaurolophus contained hollow tubes connected to its nasal passages. One researcher has proposed that the dinosaur used this crest to produce loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication.

Paleontologist's objection: However, this hypothesis is implausible, since any such call would have had to exceed 100 decibels to travel the distances proposed, and the structure of the crest does not appear capable of producing such high-volume sound.

Which of the following, if true, would most effectively rebut the paleontologist’s objection?

(A) Parasaurolophus likely traveled in herds, where long-distance calls may have had limited usefulness.
The argument is not about usefulness of long-distance communication but about feasibility of producing loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication using the crest.
Incorrect

(B) Similar hollow-crest structures are found in many other herbivorous dinosaur species.
This is an additional information since the argument is not about other herbivorous dinosaur species and is not related to producing loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication using the crest.
Incorrect

(C) Fossil reconstructions of the Parasaurolophus crest suggest it was reinforced with cartilage, making it slightly more rigid than bone alone.
Is more rigid crest capable of producing loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication ? Since this relation is not clear, the statement does not rebut the paleontologist’s objection.
Incorrect

(D) The crest may have served multiple functions, including both sound production and thermoregulation.
The argument is not concerned with other functions of the crest.
Incorrect

(E) Soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus.
Since soft-tissue structures that do not fossilize could have been involved in vocalization in Parasaurolophus, there is no evidence of their existence but their role in producing loud, resonant calls for long-distance communication could have been vital.
The statement correctly rebut the paleontologist’s objection.
Correct

IMO E
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