A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d

Question

A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey dynamics in the late Pleistocene era. 
Researchers compared the number of tooth fractures in present-day carnivores with tooth fractures 
in carnivores that lived 36,000 to 10,000 years ago and that were preserved in the Rancho La Brea 
tar pits in Los Angeles. The breakage frequencies in the extinct species were strikingly higher than 
those in the present-day species. 
In considering possible explanations for this finding, the researchers dismissed demographic bias 
because older individuals were not overrepresented in the fossil samples. They rejected 
preservational bias because a total absence of breakage in two extinct species demonstrated that 
the fractures were not the result of abrasion within the pits. They ruled out local bias because 
breakage data obtained from other Pleistocene sites were similar to the La Brea data. The 
explanation they consider most plausible is behavioral differences between extinct and present-day 
carnivores-in particular, more contact between the teeth of predators and the bones of prey due to 
more thorough consumption of carcasses by the extinct species. Such thorough carcass 
consumption implies to the researchers either that prey availability was low, at least seasonally, or 
that there was intense competition over kills and a high rate of carcass theft due to relatively high 
predator densities.

231. The primary purpose of the passage is to 
(A) present several explanations for a well-known fact 
(B) suggest alternative method of resolving a debate 
(C) argue in favor of a controversial theory 
(D) question the methodology used in a study 
(E) discuss the implications of a research finding

I chose the answer (A) considering the several possible explanations studied by the researcher, however there was only one plausible explanation.
OA is (E). Can someone explain why the OA is (E)?

nt2010 · Answer

For primary purpose of the passage questions one should pay special attention not only to the 1st paragraph and beginning of subsequent paragraphs but specially focus on how the paragraph ended.

If you notice the topic starts of with a study and presents various alternative explanations for the study findings but the end the 2nd paragraph takes the explanations further to provide come of inference type conclusions.

The above statements shows the implications of the findings. Hence the answer is E.

Hope this helps.

IVYCRACKERS.COM · Answer

Well, Thanks for the reply!! but I read somewhere that primary purpose questions deals with "why the author wrote the passage" and in my opinion the author wrote the passage to indicate the plausible explanation for difference in the frequency of tooth fractures. Now, since we don't have an option stating that the primary purpose is to indicate the plausible explanation so I inferred that the author wrote several explanations and went on to plausible explanation. :roll:

nt2010 · Answer

What you say is correct but to find the purpose we have to be very literal and read through the passage especially how it ends and not just limit to first paragraph. If the last four lines starting with such... are not included, the answer you picked would be right..

Hope this helps

puneetkaur · Answer

the ans is e , bcuz implications mean conclusion drawn from something , and the para above is a finding , as they havent taken any concrete stand . so the ans is E

PUNEETSCHDV · Answer

My take to solve primary purpose passage is to read complete passage or skim it ( read first line of each para ) whatever you do make sure to reorganize thought . . put your brain and think why has author written this passage ? and think in generic terms . whats generic term ? i remember the most dumb answer the last bencher gave to teacher (after knowing not much about the topic) when I was in 6th standard.

U just need to know what author is talking about never go for any kind of detail. The answer choices referring to details are well crafted to catch your attention as is A . . this one was easier para though you may find more difficult ones too ..

Has the author written this to provide several explanations ? no he was just telling that a new research finding has put light on some blah blah blah , , E is bingo . .

A recent study has provided clues to predator-prey d

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