In early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system

IMO C is the answer.

In early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy. Granted, the practice of studying celestial bodies also gave rise to astrology and religion, which often had the effect of slowing the progress of the former two areas. Nevertheless, it's by no means impossible that these partly contradictory human pursuits had a common cause, or at least a common contributing cause. Therefore, in all likelihood, the advancement of agrarian science, which motivated the development of measuring seasons and time, led to improved understanding of mathematics and astronomy in early civilizations.

C. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion for which the argument provides further evidence; the second is the main conclusion of the argument.

The text in italics is the evidence further provided to support the main conclusion of the argument.

[quote="Bunuel"]In early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy. Granted, the practice of studying celestial bodies also gave rise to astrology and religion, which often had the effect of slowing the progress of the former two areas. Nevertheless, it's by no means impossible that these partly contradictory human pursuits had a common cause, or at least a common contributing cause. Therefore, in all likelihood, the advancement of agrarian science, which motivated the development of measuring seasons and time, led to improved understanding of mathematics and astronomy in early civilizations.

In the argument given, the two boldfaced portions play which of the following roles?

A. The first is a claim that the argument disputes; the second is a conclusion that has been based on that claim. the first is a claim that early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy BUT THE SAME claim is also supporting the second conclusion so B is better choice.

B. The first is a claim that has been used to support a conclusion that the argument accepts; the second is that conclusion. - the first is a claim that early civilizations, the development of the first calendar system often coincided with the advancement of mathematics and astronomy and second is conclusion .

C. The first is evidence that has been used to support a conclusion for which the argument provides further evidence; the second is the main conclusion of the argument. the first cant be the evidence as evidence needs a base. the first is introductory lines which give us an idea about what the argument is about followed by conclusuion.

D. The first is a finding whose implications are at issue in the argument; the second is a claim presented in order to argue against deriving certain implications from that finding.(second is definitely a conclusion )

E. The first is a finding whose accuracy is evaluated in the argument; the second is evidence presented to establish that the finding is accurate.(second is definitely a conclusion )

GMATNinja IanStewart

Posted from my mobile device

I'm not sure of the source, but the question is not very well written, which makes it hard to understand. The stem points out that two things happen simultaneously: calendars are invented, and math+astronomy progress (and astrology and religion develop). It then goes on to suggest these developments share a "common cause" -- "the advancement of agrarian science" (which basically just means "farming").

The argument is very strange, because it says in one sentence that "it's by no means impossible" that these developments share a cause. Then in the very next sentence it says "in all likelihood" they share a cause, and that cause is better farming. I'm not sure how you jump with no justification from "it's not impossible" to "it's almost certain".

Anyway, I don't think any answer is perfect here, and the "official explanation" posted above is wrong (and is also completely inadequate -- an explanation should explain why the right answer is right, not just why the other four answers are wrong). Answer B is close to good, but you could dispute whether the first sentence is a "claim". Otherwise B is fine. D is the "OA", and it's also problematic, because it says the second bolded part is "presented in order to argue against deriving certain implications" from the first bolded part, and there's no reason to think the second bolded part is doing that. The "official explanation" is wrong when it says "The first statement talks about attributing math development to the development of a calendar". It does not do that; it just says those two things usually happen simultaneously. So whoever wrote the OA and explanation has misunderstood what the question says, so of course the "right answer" doesn't make a lot of sense.

As always, it's best to stick to official questions, since no prep company is able to design questions to the standard of real GMAT questions.