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655-705 Level|   Science|   Short Passage|                           
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Please help me with Q.8 in this passage..why E is wrong
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nehalgujrathi97
Please help me with Q.8 in this passage..why E is wrong


Hi nehalgujrathi97,

Please refer the detailed explanation by Expert here:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/micro-wear-patterns-found-on-the-teeth-of-long-extinct-specimens-o-219602-40.html#p2637467


Let us know if you still have doubts.

Thanks.
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Quote:
However, research on the diets of contemporary primates suggests that micro-wear studies may have limited utility in determining the foods that are actually eaten. For example, insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects.

Please help me understand what does the writer mean with this? First part of the statement states that a particular study won't be that helpful in determining something. Then exemplifies a case where it would actually help

VeritasKarishma brunel GMATNinja
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Quote:
However, research on the diets of contemporary primates suggests that micro-wear studies may have limited utility in determining the foods that are actually eaten. For example, insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects.

Please help me understand what does the writer mean with this? First part of the statement states that a particular study won't be that helpful in determining something. Then exemplifies a case where it would actually help

VeritasKarishma brunel GMATNinja


However, research on the diets of contemporary primates suggests that micro-wear studies may have limited utility in determining the foods that are actually eaten.

Micro-wear studies have limited utility i.e. it is not very useful.

For example, insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects.

Example: Insect eating can cause distinct micro wear patterns. So micro wear studies on primates who eat insects should show tooth abrasion patterns. This should help us figure out that these primates eat insects.
But in modern baboons, there will not be much tooth abrasion because they eat only soft bodied insects. So if we study modern baboons, we will not be able to say that they eat insects, when they in fact, do eat insects.

Hence, the study of micro wear is limited in its use.
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Hi GMATNinja or others

For Q#1, I got confused about question asking.

Quote:
1. According to the passage, Walker and Szalay disagree on which of the following points?

It seems the question is asking that "What points did both Walker and Szalay disagree?", rather than "What points did Walker disagree on Szalay's?"

Please correct my understanding.
thanks!
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Hi everyone,

I still not sure why C in Question 6 is the correct answer. I am not quite satisfied with the answer given here. My logic was just because the Orangutans are found to have much broader diet than is currently recognized doesn't not take away from Walker's conclusion that they are fruit eaters. Their diet just include fruits and other foods.
I thought B was the correct answer as the passage clearly identified that species diet changes depending on the environment and Walker is basing his conclusion for all australopithecine on australopithecine in east Africa, hence if other region's australopithecine are analyzed, some australopithecine might have diets that do not eat fruit. Because of this logic, I picked B. Can someone critique my thought process?
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750orNothing
Hi everyone,

I still not sure why C in Question 6 is the correct answer. I am not quite satisfied with the answer given here. My logic was just because the Orangutans are found to have much broader diet than is currently recognized doesn't not take away from Walker's conclusion that they are fruit eaters. Their diet just include fruits and other foods.
I thought B was the correct answer as the passage clearly identified that species diet changes depending on the environment and Walker is basing his conclusion for all australopithecine on australopithecine in east Africa, hence if other region's australopithecine are analyzed, some australopithecine might have diets that do not eat fruit. Because of this logic, I picked B. Can someone critique my thought process?
A frugivore is an animal that primarily eats fruit -- so if it turns out that orangutans eat some fruit but mostly eat other stuff, then that's a big problem for Walker's conclusion. This post has a more comprehensive breakdown of (C) for question 6.

Also check out this post for an explanation of why (B) is incorrect for question 6, and let us know if you still have any questions!
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Hi GMATNINJA sir,

Can you please explain why option A and C are wrong for below question? I am able to eliminate option D and E with reasoning but not able to do the same for A and C(Especially A).

8. The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) comparing two research methods for determining a species' dietary habits
(B) describing and evaluating conjectures about a species' diet
(C) contrasting several explanations for a species' dietary habits
(D) discussing a new approach and advocating its use in particular situations
(E) arguing that a particular research methodology does not contribute useful data

Thanks and Regards,
gourab1234
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Hi GMATNINJA sir,

Can you please explain why option A and C are wrong for below question? I am able to eliminate option D and E with reasoning but not able to do the same for A and C(Especially A).

8. The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) comparing two research methods for determining a species' dietary habits
(B) describing and evaluating conjectures about a species' diet
(C) contrasting several explanations for a species' dietary habits
(D) discussing a new approach and advocating its use in particular situations
(E) arguing that a particular research methodology does not contribute useful data

Thanks and Regards,
gourab1234


Hi gourab1234,

You can refer the detailed explanation by expert here:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/micro-wear-patterns-found-on-the-teeth-of-long-extinct-specimens-o-219602-40.html#p2637467


Let us know if you still have doubts.
Thanks.
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Question #1 why not D?
Question #3 How to chose D over C
Question #5 why C is incorrect

Question 1


Quote:
(Book Question: 95)
According to the passage, Walker and Szalay disagree on which of the following points?
A. The structure and composition of australopithecine teeth
B. The kinds of conclusions that can be drawn from the micro-wear patterns on australopithecine teeth
C. The idea that fruit was a part of the australopithecine diet
D. The extent to which seed cracking and bone crunching produce similar micro-wear patterns on teeth
E. The function of the heavy enamel on australopithecine teeth
The key to this question can be found in the following sentence: "He also disputes Szalay’s suggestion that the heavy enamel of australopithecine teeth is an adaptation to bone crunching, since both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth."

In other words, according to Walker, if those primates had in fact used their teeth for bone crunching, then the teeth should show distinctive micro-wear characteristics. We can infer that such micro-wear characteristics are NOT present on the teeth, so Walker disputes the theory that primates developed hard enamel as an adaptation to bone crunching.

Walker says that both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics, but he does NOT say that those characteristics are necessarily the same for both. Also, the passage tells us nothing about Szalay's opinion on the similarities between the patterns produced by seed cracking and those produced by bone crunching, so we have no idea whether the two agree or disagree. Thus, we can rule out (D)

Szalay apparently did not take the micro-wear evidence into account when developing his/her theory. Walker, on the other hand, does consider the micro-wear evidence and, as a result, disagrees with Szalay's theory regarding the function of the heavy enamel on the teeth.

(E) is the best answer.

Question 3


Quote:
(Book Question: 97)
The passage suggests that which of the following would be true of studies of tooth micro-wear patterns conducted on modern baboons?
A. They would inaccurately suggest that some baboons eat more soft-bodied than hard-bodied insects.
B. They would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of some baboons’ diets.
C. They would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns among baboon populations.
D. They would inadequately reflect the extent to which some baboons consume certain types of insects.
E. They would indicate that baboons in certain regions eat only soft-bodied insects, whereas baboons in other regions eat hard-bodied insects.

We are told that " the diets of current omnivorous primates vary considerably depending on the environments that different groups within a primate species inhabit." If modern baboons are omnivorous, then their diets would vary considerably from group to group depending on environment. Thus, the groups would have different micro-wear patterns. The passage doesn't tell us whether baboons are omnivorous, but it does not give us information to conclude whether the micro-wear patterns of different baboon populations would be similar or varying. (C) can be eliminated.

We are also told that, "insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects." In other words, even eating tons and tons of soft-bodied insects would not cause any abrasion or micro-wear patterns on the teeth of modern baboons. Thus, based on the micro-wear patterns alone, we would not know whether those baboons ate tons of soft-bodied insects or ate no insects at all. The micro-wear patterns would not adequately reflect the extent to which the baboons consumed soft-bodied insects, so choice (D) is the best answer.

Question 5


Quote:
(Book Question: 99)
It can be inferred from the passage that if studies of tooth micro-wear patterns were conducted on modern baboons, which of the following would most likely be true of the results obtained?
A. There would be enough abrasion to allow a determination of whether baboons are frugivorous or insectivorous.
B. The results would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of the baboons’ diet.
C. The results would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns from one regional baboon population to another.
D. The results would provide an accurate indication of the absence of some kinds of insects from the baboons’ diet.
E. The results would be unlikely to provide any indication of what inferences about the australopithecine diet can or cannot be drawn from micro-wear studies.
As explained for the previous question, we do not know whether the micro-wear patterns of different baboon populations would be similar or varying, so (C) can be eliminated.

We do know that those baboons eat only soft-bodied insects and not hard-bodied insects. Their teeth would NOT show micro-wear patterns that would result from eating hard-bodied insects. So the LACK of such micro-wear patterns would be an "accurate indication of the absence of some kind of insects (hard-bodied insects) from the baboons' diet." (D) is the best answer.

I hope this helps!


Hi GMATNinja,

Can you please let me know what do we understand from this part of the sentence - "since both seed cracking and bone-crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth"
Is this part of Szalay's hypothesis or Walker's?

Kr,
mk96
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mynamegoeson
Question #1 why not D?
Question #3 How to chose D over C
Question #5 why C is incorrect

Question 1


Quote:
(Book Question: 95)
According to the passage, Walker and Szalay disagree on which of the following points?
A. The structure and composition of australopithecine teeth
B. The kinds of conclusions that can be drawn from the micro-wear patterns on australopithecine teeth
C. The idea that fruit was a part of the australopithecine diet
D. The extent to which seed cracking and bone crunching produce similar micro-wear patterns on teeth
E. The function of the heavy enamel on australopithecine teeth
The key to this question can be found in the following sentence: "He also disputes Szalay’s suggestion that the heavy enamel of australopithecine teeth is an adaptation to bone crunching, since both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth."

In other words, according to Walker, if those primates had in fact used their teeth for bone crunching, then the teeth should show distinctive micro-wear characteristics. We can infer that such micro-wear characteristics are NOT present on the teeth, so Walker disputes the theory that primates developed hard enamel as an adaptation to bone crunching.

Walker says that both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics, but he does NOT say that those characteristics are necessarily the same for both. Also, the passage tells us nothing about Szalay's opinion on the similarities between the patterns produced by seed cracking and those produced by bone crunching, so we have no idea whether the two agree or disagree. Thus, we can rule out (D)

Szalay apparently did not take the micro-wear evidence into account when developing his/her theory. Walker, on the other hand, does consider the micro-wear evidence and, as a result, disagrees with Szalay's theory regarding the function of the heavy enamel on the teeth.

(E) is the best answer.

Question 3


Quote:
(Book Question: 97)
The passage suggests that which of the following would be true of studies of tooth micro-wear patterns conducted on modern baboons?
A. They would inaccurately suggest that some baboons eat more soft-bodied than hard-bodied insects.
B. They would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of some baboons’ diets.
C. They would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns among baboon populations.
D. They would inadequately reflect the extent to which some baboons consume certain types of insects.
E. They would indicate that baboons in certain regions eat only soft-bodied insects, whereas baboons in other regions eat hard-bodied insects.

We are told that " the diets of current omnivorous primates vary considerably depending on the environments that different groups within a primate species inhabit." If modern baboons are omnivorous, then their diets would vary considerably from group to group depending on environment. Thus, the groups would have different micro-wear patterns. The passage doesn't tell us whether baboons are omnivorous, but it does not give us information to conclude whether the micro-wear patterns of different baboon populations would be similar or varying. (C) can be eliminated.

We are also told that, "insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects." In other words, even eating tons and tons of soft-bodied insects would not cause any abrasion or micro-wear patterns on the teeth of modern baboons. Thus, based on the micro-wear patterns alone, we would not know whether those baboons ate tons of soft-bodied insects or ate no insects at all. The micro-wear patterns would not adequately reflect the extent to which the baboons consumed soft-bodied insects, so choice (D) is the best answer.

Question 5


Quote:
(Book Question: 99)
It can be inferred from the passage that if studies of tooth micro-wear patterns were conducted on modern baboons, which of the following would most likely be true of the results obtained?
A. There would be enough abrasion to allow a determination of whether baboons are frugivorous or insectivorous.
B. The results would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of the baboons’ diet.
C. The results would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns from one regional baboon population to another.
D. The results would provide an accurate indication of the absence of some kinds of insects from the baboons’ diet.
E. The results would be unlikely to provide any indication of what inferences about the australopithecine diet can or cannot be drawn from micro-wear studies.
As explained for the previous question, we do not know whether the micro-wear patterns of different baboon populations would be similar or varying, so (C) can be eliminated.

We do know that those baboons eat only soft-bodied insects and not hard-bodied insects. Their teeth would NOT show micro-wear patterns that would result from eating hard-bodied insects. So the LACK of such micro-wear patterns would be an "accurate indication of the absence of some kind of insects (hard-bodied insects) from the baboons' diet." (D) is the best answer.

I hope this helps!


Why does "seed cracking" come into discussion in the passage?
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mk96

Hi GMATNinja,

Can you please let me know what do we understand from this part of the sentence - "since both seed cracking and bone-crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth"
Is this part of Szalay's hypothesis or Walker's?

Kr,
mk96
mk96
Why does "seed cracking" come into discussion in the passage?
Walker dismisses the hypotheses of Jolly and Szalay. Jolly believes that australopithecines ate seeds. Szalay believes that they ate crunched bones (presumably as they ate meat). Walker, using tooth micro-wear patterns as his evidence, dismisses both hypotheses. He’s able to do this because “both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth.”

I hope that helps!
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The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2018

Practice Question
Question No.: RC 95 ~ 101
Page: 54
Micro-wear patterns found on the teeth of long-extinct specimens of the primate species australopithecine may provide evidence about their diets. For example, on the basis of tooth micro-wear patterns, Walker dismisses Jolly’s hypothesis that australopithecines ate hard seeds. He also disputes Szalay’s suggestion that the heavy enamel of australopithecine teeth is an adaptation to bone crunching, since both seed cracking and bone crunching produce distinctive micro-wear characteristics on teeth. His conclusion that australopithecines were frugivores (fruit eaters) is based upon his observation that the tooth micro-wear characteristics of east African australopithecine specimens are indistinguishable from those of chimpanzees and orangutans, which are commonly assumed to be frugivorous primates.

However, research on the diets of contemporary primates suggests that micro-wear studies may have limited utility in determining the foods that are actually eaten. For example, insect eating, which can cause distinct micro-wear patterns, would not cause much tooth abrasion in modern baboons, who eat only soft-bodied insects rather than hard-bodied insects. In addition, the diets of current omnivorous primates vary considerably depending on the environments that different groups within a primate species inhabit; if australopithecines were omnivores too, we might expect to find considerable population variation in their tooth micro-wear patterns. Thus, Walker’s description of possible australopithecine diets may need to be expanded to include a much more diverse diet.

1. According to the passage, Walker and Szalay disagree on which of the following points?

(A) The structure and composition of australopithecine teeth
(B) The kinds of conclusions that can be drawn from the micro-wear patterns on australopithecine teeth
(C) The idea that fruit was a part of the australopithecine diet
(D) The extent to which seed cracking and bone crunching produce similar micro-wear patterns on teeth
(E) The function of the heavy enamel on australopithecine teeth


2. The passage suggests that Walker’s research indicated which of the following about australopithecine teeth?

(A) They had micro-wear characteristics indicating that fruit constituted only a small part of their diet.
(B) They lacked micro-wear characteristics associated with seed eating and bone crunching.
(C) They had micro-wear characteristics that differed in certain ways from the micro-wear patterns of chimpanzees and orangutans.
(D) They had micro-wear characteristics suggesting that the diet of australopithecines varied from one region to another.
(E) They lacked the micro-wear characteristics distinctive of modern frugivores.


3. The passage suggests that which of the following would be true of studies of tooth micro-wear patterns conducted on modern baboons?

(A) They would inaccurately suggest that some baboons eat more soft-bodied than hard-bodied insects.
(B) They would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of some baboons’ diets.
(C) They would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns among baboon populations.
(D) They would inadequately reflect the extent to which some baboons consume certain types of insects.
(E) They would indicate that baboons in certain regions eat only soft-bodied insects, whereas baboons in other regions eat hard-bodied insects.


4. The passage suggests which of the following about the micro-wear patterns found on the teeth of omnivorous primates?

(A) The patterns provide information about what kinds of foods are not eaten by the particular species of primate, but not about the foods actually eaten.
(B) The patterns of various primate species living in the same environment resemble one another.
(C) The patterns may not provide information about the extent to which a particular species’ diet includes seeds.
(D) The patterns provide more information about these primates’ diet than do the tooth micro-wear patterns of primates who are frugivores.
(E) The patterns may differ among groups within a species depending on the environment within which a particular group lives.


5. It can be inferred from the passage that if studies of tooth micro-wear patterns were conducted on modern baboons, which of the following would most likely be true of the results obtained?

(A) There would be enough abrasion to allow a determination of whether baboons are frugivorous or insectivorous.
(B) The results would suggest that insects constitute the largest part of the baboons’ diet.
(C) The results would reveal that there are no significant differences in tooth micro-wear patterns from one regional baboon population to another.
(D) The results would provide an accurate indication of the absence of some kinds of insects from the baboons’ diet.
(E) The results would be unlikely to provide any indication of what inferences about the australopithecine diet can or cannot be drawn from micro-wear studies.


6. It can be inferred from the passage that Walker’s conclusion about the australopithecine diet would be called into question under which of the following circumstances?

(A) The tooth enamel of australopithecines is found to be much heavier than that of modern frugivorous primates.
(B) The micro-wear patterns of australopithecine teeth from regions other than east Africa are analyzed.
(C) Orangutans are found to have a much broader diet than is currently recognized.
(D) The environment of east Africa at the time australopithecines lived there is found to have been far more varied than is currently thought.
(E) The area in which the australopithecine specimens were found is discovered to have been very rich in soft-bodied insects during the period when australopithecines lived there.


7. The author of the passage mentions the diets of baboons and other living primates most likely in order to

(A) provide evidence that refutes Walker’s conclusions about the foods making up the diets of australopithecines
(B) suggest that studies of tooth micro-wear patterns are primarily useful for determining the diets of living primates
(C) suggest that australopithecines were probably omnivores rather than frugivores
(D) illustrate some of the limitations of using tooth micro-wear patterns to draw definitive conclusions about a group’s diet
(E) suggest that tooth micro-wear patterns are caused by persistent, as opposed to occasional, consumption of particular foods



8. The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) comparing two research methods for determining a species' dietary habits
(B) describing and evaluating conjectures about a species' diet
(C) contrasting several explanations for a species' dietary habits
(D) discussing a new approach and advocating its use in particular situations
(E) arguing that a particular research methodology does not contribute useful data

RC00613-09.02




Hi egmat GMATNinja VeritasKarishma GMATNinjaTwo Magoosh manhattan
VeritasPrep

please explain why is option "E" incorrect for Q8
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AkhilAggarwal



Hi egmat GMATNinja VeritasKarishma GMATNinjaTwo Magoosh manhattan
VeritasPrep

please explain why is option "E" incorrect for Q8

Hi AkhilAggarwal,

for Question 8, please refer the detailed explanation by expert here :
https://gmatclub.com/forum/micro-wear-patterns-found-on-the-teeth-of-long-extinct-specimens-o-219602-40.html#p2637467


Do let us know if you still have doubts.
Thanks.
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AkhilAggarwal
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bm2201
AkhilAggarwal



Hi egmat GMATNinja VeritasKarishma GMATNinjaTwo Magoosh manhattan
VeritasPrep

please explain why is option "E" incorrect for Q8

Hi AkhilAggarwal,

for Question 8, please refer the detailed explanation by expert here :
https://gmatclub.com/forum/micro-wear-patterns-found-on-the-teeth-of-long-extinct-specimens-o-219602-40.html#p2637467


Do let us know if you still have doubts.
Thanks.

Thank you for the reply mate bm2201
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Sajjad1994
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One of the toughest official RC passages :-o
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waytowharton
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GMATNinja GMATNinjaTwo Sajjad1994 KarishmaB egmat

I have a slight doubt in Ques 8 - The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) comparing two research methods for determining a species' dietary habits
(B) describing and evaluating conjectures about a species' diet
(C) contrasting several explanations for a species' dietary habits
(D) discussing a new approach and advocating its use in particular situations
(E) arguing that a particular research methodology does not contribute useful data

RC00613-09.02

I want to check on reason why option E is wrong. Since the question asks that what is the primary purpose of passage i.e. why was the passage written and it is primarily to describe and evaluate diets for australopithecines. However, the main conclusion of passage is E. Is my understanding correct? Are there some other reasons for option E to be incorrect?
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