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505-555 (Easy)|   Inference|         
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arnab24
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 04:36
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It's an Inference based question. Let's check option one by one to answer it:

(A) There is no specific co -relation provided between regeneration of limbs and escaping the predator. So we can't say on this hypotheses. So , A is incorrect.

(B) We can't say whether after the prehistoric tetrapod severed it's limbs , the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were. So B is incorrect.

(C) It is true. It's is given that prehistoric tetrapod is proportionately larger than Salamander and additionally on top of this it's tissue growth is slower due to oxygen rich atmosphere. It implies that to cover larger mass , with slower growth it will take more time to regenerate limbs than Salamander. C is correct.

(D)There is no co relation provided between size of creature and falling prey to predator. So We can't say on this hypothesis. D is incorrect.

(E) As no information provided related to any alternatives or only means , we can't say on the hypothesis. E is incorrect.

So the answer is C :)
Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 06:02
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A is the correct answer: If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamader does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 06:22
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A. This choice provides a scenario that contradicts the evidence. The text provides strong evidence that the tetrapod would regenerate slower, not faster.

B. We don't have any info to support the size of the limbs before and after.

C. This seems to be supported. Hold on to it.

D. This choice is plausible, but it's not directly supported by the text.

E. This is also possible, but the argument doesn't give us info about any other defense mechanisms.

Choice C is the best supported.
Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 06:42
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Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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Stimulus : Prehistoric tetrapod and modern salamander share a similar characteristic in a way that they can both grow their limbs when facing predator. However, in past due to oxygen rich atmosphere, there was delay in growth of new tissue.

Pre-thinking : Let's connect dot here : As mentioned in stimulus that there is delay in growth tissue in past, so we can infer that in past, tetrapod's limb takes more time than Morden salamander to grow.

Now let's look at the options :

A : This is reverse logic statement, which is unsupported causation - Incorrect

B : Misapplies size to new limb proportion - Incorrect

C : Matches our pre-thinking -- Correct

D : No evidence present in the stimulus ---- Incorrect

E : Irrelevant, as no evidence present in stimulus ---- Incorrect

Ans - C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 06:47
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The passage gives two reasons why limb regeneration in the prehistoric tetrapod would be slower than in a modern salamander:
Larger size has more nutrients needed
Being proportionally larger means rebuilding lost tissue would require more resources, which would slow regeneration.
Oxygen-rich atmosphere has faster cell death Faster cell death would slow the growth of new tissue, directly impeding regeneration speed.
Together, these facts strongly support the statement that regrowth would take longer, not shorter. Evaluate
Now evaluating the statement:
A. Talks about faster regeneration and effectiveness—opposite of what the evidence suggests. (Incorrect)
B Nothing suggests regenerated limbs were larger than the original ones. (Incorrect)
C. Regeneration would take more time than in salamanders. This supports directly. (Correct)
D Risk of predation is not addressed or implied. (Incorrect)
E. No evidence about alternative escape methods. (Incorrect)

As per me Ans is C.
Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 06:58
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The information says that salamanders can regrow limbs in 3-4 weeks. It's also highlighted that the tetrapod used to be bigger, which means (1) more tissue and nutrients neede to regrow, and to add insult to injury, it suffered from (2) slower growth rates due to too much oxygen.

Basically, we learn that they had similar mechanics => but the growth could have only be more difficult for tetrapods.
The only answer option that fits is C, since it points out it's going to take longer to regenerate. The answer is C.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 07:35
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Lets assess each statement :

A => Talks about faster regeneration => Evidence suggests otherwise.. Eliminate.
B=> No informations about the newly regenrated limbs being larger than original provided.
C=> The information about the abundance of oxygen and large size as well as more nutrients required point to this option . Keep for now.
D=> No comparison of overall risk given. Eliminate.
E=> Nothing in the passage suggests alternate methods. Eliminate.

Answer => C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 07:46
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A This is hypothetical contrary to likely slower regeneration, and not supported by passage.

B No evidence in passage. Passage says creature was larger overall, not that regenerated limbs are larger than original.

C Correct. This matches reasoning. Both extra nutrients needed and oxygen slowing growth imply longer time.

D "at much greater risk of falling prey" is not directly supported by passage.

E Passage only mentions this method, no info on other methods.


IMO C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 07:55
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Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.
No support for effectiveness of escape. Eliminate

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.
No support for relation between pre/post growth limbs. Eliminate.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.
We can reasonably conclude this from the passage as we have support for rate of growth would have been slower. keep.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.
No idea about nature/env of predators. Eliminate.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.
No support if other means were there from the argument. Eliminate.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:05
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A The text doesn't suggest this. In fact, the text implies that the prehistoric tetrapod faced slower regeneration.

B The text does not provide any information indicating that the regrown limbs were larger than the originals.

C Right answer. Regeneration process of the prehistoric tetrapod was slower than that of the modern salamander, mainly due to the larger size and the faster cell death. This hypothesis is strongly supported by the information.

D The text does not directly suggest that the prehistoric tetrapod was at a greater risk of falling prey to predators.

E The text does not mention other potential means of evading predators.


Answer C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:12
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Context: The argument compares the limb regeneration of pre historic tetrapod to salamander.While both could regenerate severed limbs, the prehistoric tetrapos lived in different oxygen conditions that affected the process
Conclusion (implicit): The limbs of prehistoric tetrapod would have taken more time to generate than the limbs of salamander
Logical gap: The argument assumes that greater nutrient requirements and slower tissue growth result in longer overall regenration time

Evaluating options
A) This is contradictory to the argument and hence do not provide support
B) This is irrelevant. We do not know if the re-grown limbs are longer
C) This states the assumption and hence supports the argument. The prehistoric tetrapod limbs would take more time to regenerate than salamander lims
D) Claims predator risk- this is not mentioned
E) Claims other escape methods- irrelevant
Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:20
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A -> This is reverse of the logic suggested in the passage
B -> This is not discussed in the passage and may not help with the hypothesis
C -> Correct. the passage suggests that it was proportionally larger and needed more nutrients and required more time to build the cells as their decay was also rapid.
D -> This comparison is not discussed
E -> This does not provide support for the hypothesis given

Option C
Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:21
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The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators. (This only talks about faster regeneration and effectiveness against predators but nothing related to it is directly states in the argument) Wrong

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were. (Nothing in the argument suggests that the regenerated limbs were larger than the original limbs) Wrong

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate. (Due to their larger body size, they required more nutrients to rebuild the lost tissue and hence the limbs regeneration was slow) Correct

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is. (This is not implied by the argument) Wrong

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators. (The argument doesn't mention any other escape methods) Wrong

C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:21
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A Facts suggest it likely regenerated slower, not faster.

B Baseless. Size proportional to original limb likely, not "usually larger".

C Directly supported by the two facts: larger (more mass) and oxygen slows growth. Correct answer.

D Risk comparison not provided. Maybe longer regeneration could increase vulnerability after escape, but not stated.

E No infomation given about other escape methods.


The answer is C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:23
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A. Irrelevant as it isnt supported since it talks about faster regenration which is against the evidence given here
B. Irrelevant as it isnt supported here since nothing is basically said about the limb size after the regenration
C. Relevant as this is supported since it is mentioned that larger body would need more nutrients and faster cell death would slow down tissue growth causing more regenration time of tetrapod than salamander
D. Irrelevant as it isnt supported since predator risk isnt discussed here and there are multiple possible factors in play
E. Irrelevant as it isnt supported since there has been no mention of other escape methods at all here

C.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:23
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Acc. to question ->
both can re-grow their lost limb
pht >> larger than salamander
for reason1: since large will require more nutrients to re-grow
for reason2: since pht in O2 rich atmosphere -> faster cell-death, slowing re-grow
modern salmander takes 3-4 weeks to re-grow
we need to infer :
A -> more effective in escaping-- how so? alot of assumption required
B -> no evidence to support this.
C -> could be given the reason 1 and reason 2 - to cope up with it might have taken more time.
D -> much greater risk? y so? no evidence to support
E -> not inferable -> no evidence to support
hence C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:39
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A The hypothesis is unsupported because the condition is probably false, and passage doesn't discuss "effectiveness at escaping strongest predators".

B Regrown limbs usually match original size in salamanders. There is no reason given that tetrapod's would be larger.

C CORRECT. Larger size and higher oxygen implies longer rebuilding time. This directly follows from given info.

D "Much greater risk" is extreme and not deducible from limb regrowth factors.

E The passage neither states nor implies that other methods existed.


The correct answer is C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:45
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Conclusion:
Although the physiology of tetrapods is similar to Modern salamanders, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally LARGER, meaning IT NEEDED MORE NUTRIENTS to rebuild body mass.

Evidence:
1. similarity: both T & S could sever their limbs to escape predators and regrow the limbs afterward
2. difference: the oxygen-rich atmosphere of T's era led to faster cell death, slowing the growth of new tissue

Assumption:
Faster cell death, slowing growth of new tissue -> more nutrients to rebuild body mass -> causes the larger body of Tetrapod

To support the conclusion/hypothesis:
Look for arguments that aligned with the assumption

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally LARGER than the originals were.

Why others (might) incrrect,
A. irrelevant. It focuses on effectiveness at escaping the predators
C. irrelevant. It focuses on the time taken
D. irrelevant. The conclusion does not argue about the risk of predators
E. irrelevant. The conclusion does not argue about other ways to evade predators


Bunuel
The prehistoric tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander does. A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks. However, although the physiology of the prehistoric tetrapod was similar to that of the modern salamander, the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger, meaning it needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further, the oxygen-rich atmosphere of the prehistoric tetrapod’s era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

The information given, if accurate, provides the strongest support for which of the following hypotheses?

A. If the prehistoric tetrapod regenerated their limbs faster than the modern salamander does, it would have been more effective at escaping even its strongest predators.

B. After the prehistoric tetrapod severed its limbs to escape predators, the new limbs it grew were usually proportionally larger than the originals were.

C. The limbs of the prehistoric tetrapod, if severed in an attempt to escape a predator, would have taken more time than the limbs of the modern salamander to regenerate.

D. The prehistoric tetrapod was at a much greater risk of falling prey to a predator than the modern salamander is.

E. Severing its limbs was not the only means the prehistoric tetrapod had for evading predators.

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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 08:59
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Answer Choice: C

The passage most strongly supports C because it directly links two stated factors to slower regeneration in the prehistoric tetrapod. Specifically its larger body mass, requiring more nutrients to rebuild lost tissue and the oxygen-rich atmosphere caused faster cell death, slowing new tissue growth.

Why not the others:
A. Introduces overall effectiveness against predators which the passage does not directly address.
B. The passage refers to body size mass but this choice makes an unsupported claim about regenerated limbs being proportionally larger.
D. Overreaches by concluding greater predation risk.
E. Introduces an entirely new idea about alternative escape methods that is not directly referenced in the passage.
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