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505-555 (Easy)|   Inference|         
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 15:19
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Summary: A tetrapod could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow like salamandor.
Physiology is same but it is larger, need more nutrients. The atmosphere slows the growth of new tissue.

(A), (B), (D) and (E) are irrelevant, cannot be concluded.

(C) is the answer. It implies straightforwardly as the the information provides support to hypotheses that limbs regeneration would take more time for tetrapods.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 18:16
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A - No discussion about it in premise.
B - No discussion
C - Clearly indicated as oxygen rich atmosphere delays the growth of new tissue.
D - No discussion
E - No discussion
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 23 Dec 2025, 21:55
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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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We need to find choice that is going to be 100% true based on argument.
Tetrapod and Salamader's likness is told. [But tetrapod require more food and has slow growth of new tissue(due to larger size and more oxygen, even though physiology is same)]. We look for answer that tells something like this.
A)We can't comment on effectiveness of escaping . Incorrect
B) We can't say limb grew were larger in size. Incorrect
C) Exactly what we thought. Correct
D)We can't say anything on rate of falling prey. Incorrect
E) We don't know if severing the limb was the only excape mechanism.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 22:19
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We are looking at a possible inference form the passage.


A - The passage does not give us enough information to comment on the efficacy of escaping from 'strongest' predators based on faster limb generation. The emphasis is rather on the time taken to regenerate limbs.

B - The passage only says that the prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger in size overall. We do not know about the limb to body proportions of regrown limbs

C - This is our inference. We do know that the earlier species required more nutrients and faster cell death. It can be inferred that limb regeneration will therefore take more time.

D - The passage does not comment on the vulnerability factor of these species to predators.

E - We do not know if severing limbs was the only means to escape from predators, but it was one of the means.

Therefore, Option C IMO
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 22:55
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The answer choice is C.

This is an Inference Question, giving us two species with similar characteristics. However the Prehistoric Tetrapod would take a longer time due to environmental conditions and it's larger proportion to regrow the limb. This is explained by Option C. Notable point - A and D talk about situations in a what-if senario which doesn't have enough support, neither are we concerned at inferring more effective escaping or greater risk of being caught.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 23:06
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Prehistoric tetrapod can sever its limbs but regrowth is affected by two things that modern salamander doesnt have:
1. body is huge so more nutrients are needed for regrowth
2. oxygen rich atmosphere back then slowed the growth of tissue

hypothesis: prehistoric tetrapod would have taken more time for regrowth after severing its limbs

A. We are not sure whether regrowth of limbs have any impact on Prehistoric tetrapod's ability to escape from predator.
B. no info about the regrown limbs size
C. Correct. This is a reasonable hypothesis unless we have additional info or reason that says tetrapod grows as fast or faster than modern salamander
D. regrowth takes time but we dont know if it can't cut its limb soon or what is the predator rate like etc.
E. may be or may be not. no info about other means
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 23:19
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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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Going through the passage, we can summarize as follows: the tetrapod was basically a big salamander and could regrow limbs, but it was bigger, and there was a more oxygen-rich atmosphere, which slowed down tissue growth.

Stem wants us to find which hypothesis fits this best. We can probably extrapolate from the evidence that its limbs grew back slower.

Option A: Evidence doesn't support that it grew back faster, eliminate.
Option B: No evidence for bigger limbs at all, eliminate.
Option C: This, as we identified before, fits the bill. Hold onto this.
Option D: There's nothing in the passage supporting this, eliminate.
Option E: There's no mention of this in the passage, eliminate.

Thus C is our answer.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 23:22
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C.
The passage tells us that they both regenerate and then proceeds to give reasons for why regeneration would have been slower in the case of the tetrapod (size and oxygen) i.e. the conclusion, which C captures, summarizes the passage by saying it will take longer to regenerate than the modern salamander.
options A,B,D and E are out of scope as they touch upon aspects not covered by the passage
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 23:29
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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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We have to find an option that indicates that the tetrapod took longer to grow its legs than salamander does.

A. Incorrect: This information is irrelevant and doesn't provide any support to the conclusion of the argument.

B. Incorrect: Like A, the information is not helpful in supporting the fact the tetrapod took longer in growing its limbs.

C. Correct : This information is inline with the argument and tells us that prehistoric tetrapod had taken more time, which is inline with the passage above.

D. Incorrect : Out of scope and the information has no beaing to the argument.

E. Incorrect : Irrelevant to the conclusion.

Option C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 23 Dec 2025, 23:57
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Summary: The modern salamander can sever its limbs to escape predators and regrow the limbs like the prehistoric tetrapod. However, the tetrapod was much larger so that it needed more nutrients to recover, and the atmosphere back then also slow the growth of new tissue.

A. Incorrect. The information given doesn't support the effectivity of tetrapod when escaping predators.
B. Incorrect. The paragraph only mention the tetrapod needed more nutrients and time to recover, and this cannot support that new limbs would be much larger than the originals.
C. CORRECT. The paragraph stated that tetrapod needed more nutrients than salamander and the atmosphere restrained the growth of new tissue, so this provide support for the hyphothesis that tetrapod would take more time to recover than salamander.
D. Incorrect. The paragraph isn't enough to support the hyphothesis of the risk of falling prey of these two species.
E. Incorrect. The paragraph doesn't mention other methods to escape so this is 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, 00:01
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The prehistoric tetrapod (PT) could sever its limbs to escape predators and then regrow the limbs afterwards, just as the modern salamander (MS) does.

A salamander can regrow a lost limb in three to four weeks.

Contradiction: The prehistoric tetrapod was proportionally larger and needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass. Further oxygen-rich atmosphere in that era led to faster cell-death, slowing the growth of new tissue.

Objective : Support the hypotheses

Pre-thinking:
PT is larger than MS
Faster cell death of PT in that era, slow growth of new tissue.
It could have taken more time for PT to rebuild as compared to MS.

Options:

A. Faster regeneration is compared to faster healing but may not be effective at escaping predators. Incorrect

B. There is neither mention of size of limbs getting larger nor can it be inferred from the argument. The argument compared times taken by PT and MS to rebuild proving reasons for it. Incorrect

C. This matches our pre-thinking that because of larger size and slower growth of new tissue, it would take longer for PT to rebuild body mass than MS would take. Correct

D. The risk or probability of falling prey to a predator is neither mentioned in the argument nor can it be inferred. Incorrect

E. There may be other means for PT to escape predators but it can not be inferred from the argument. Usage of superlative only is also incorrect. Incorrect

IMO C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 00:06
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tetrapod could sever its limb to escape predators and then regrow afterwards.
salamander take 3-4 weeks to regrow.
physiology of both is same but tetrapod is larger in size so need more nutrients to rebuild mass.
also tetra leaves in high oxygen area so that leads to fast cell death, which slows the growth.

Inference que- find that must be true with the given info.

A. not concerned with effectiveness for escaping.
B. not concerned with difference between limb size of past and present
C. this exactly hit the spot. the passage say that tetra are lafge and need more nutrients to rebuild. so after escaping it would take more time for limb to grow.
D. not concern about their risk for falling ton prey.
E. who cares about them having any other means of escaping predators.

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 prehi storic 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, 01:04
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The entire passage is focused towards the regrowth of limbs and the relative speed/ rate of regrowth of prehistoric tetrapod and the modern salamander. It gives us a hint that the correct answer choice will have something to do with the rate of regeneration of limbs. Thus, answer choice C is correct as it does just that.
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, 02:15
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A This is a conditional statement that seems to contradict the suggestion that the growth of the limbs of a tatrapod might have been slower
B. This we cannot tell from the passage because it provides new information
C. Correct. This can be supported by the low levels of oxygen and the large size of the tatrapod
D. Again this is new information that we cannot directly infer from the passage
E. We have no indication of other methods in the passage
Ans 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, 02:29
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Information argument: Prehistorical Tetrapod larger than a modern salamander + prehistorical atmosphere slowed the growth of new tissue

This would imply naturally that growth time of limbs in Prehistorical Tetrapod > modern Salamander.

We have the option C that underlines exactly this, hence this is directly implied by the info.

IMO C!
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 02:35
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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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The question compares the regeneration capabilities of both , Salamander and Pre historic tetrapod.

The Salamander being a modern creature, and of smaller size comparatively to the tetrapod, has a faster regeneration rate of its limbs than the Tetrapod. These limbs are severed off , while trying to escape from the predators. The salamander can regrow the limbs in just (3-4) weeks.

While, the regeneration occurs for both the animals. The author implicitly concludes, that the rate of regeneration for Tetrapod leads to a much greater time. The reasons behind such differences, even though the physiology has been same, are :

1. Prehistoric tetrapod was of larger size comparatively, this means more nutrients are needed to rebuild the body mass.

2. The oxygen rich environment, lead to faster cell death, eventually leading to slow rate of growth of new tissues.

If the above mentioned informations are true, we need to find a suitable hypothesis.

A) If the regeneration rate has been faster, then the prehistoric tetrapod could have transformed into the fastest creature in the world, escaping all predators. This option mixes the regeneration rate with the speed, which is not correct. Does this regeneration provide an extra capability to increase the speed of tetrapod ? This is no where mentioned , this correlation is completely out of scope. Wrong.

B) This hypothesis is transforming the prehistoric tetrapod into a super creature of increasing size. While the earlier option was increasing the speed, here the correlation is made to the size. As size increases, the speed drops eventually falling prey to predators. Huge size will lead to greater time needed for regeneration. Hence, Wrong.

C) This is exactly what the question tries to convey. The regeneration rates of limbs of Tetrapods have been slower compared to modern salamander. The passage provides reasons as to why the rate is slower. Correct Answer.

D) The risk of falling prey to predator may be equal or skewed for both animals. The context being discussed is the regenerative rate of limbs. Hence, Wrong.

E) This is immaterial, as the question speaks about the modes of evading techniques adapted by these animals. out of scope. Hence, Wrong.

Option C
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 02:50
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IMO C
since the passage gives two direct reasons regeneration would be slower for the prehistoric tetrapod than for the salamander:

It was proportionally larger and therefore needed more nutrients hence slower regeneration. also O2-rich atmosphere means faster cell death again regeneration slower.

This directly supports the hypothesis that its limb regrowth took more time than that of the modern salamander. Making C Correct.

Others dont work because:

A: Talks about faster regeneration, irrelevant, we dont care.

B: Out of scope. Says new limbs were larger,nothing about size of regenerated limbs.

D: Risk of predation isn’t discussed at all in passage, covulated theories only.

E: No mention of alternative escape methods. OOS.
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 02:59
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The correct option should be supported by the argument and the argument alone.

A. This option compares the effectiveness between the tetrapod and salamnder which we have no information.
B. We know that they take longer to grow, but no information about whether they'll be larger.
C. Yes, this is correct. The last two two statatements support this by saying that the tetrapods are larger and the atmpisgere contribute to slower growth.
D. We do not have enough information to support this hypothesis as to which is more vulnerable to falling prey.
E. We have information of only severing its limbs, whether it was the only way or not is not 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, 03:04
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A) we don't know about their own individual strategies of escaping predators, and speed is definitely not discussed

B) no information is given about the size of the new limbs

C) CORRECT - immediately after stating the duration for the salamander, the limitations of why same duration is not possible are given in the passage

D) we don't know what sort of risks each one had, there could be many factors for this

E) possible, but nothing concrete is given in the passage on this. We can't determine whether the prehistoric tetrapod could run really fast or hide well, not choosing this option for lack of info
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12 Days of Christmas GMAT Competition 2025 - Day 7: The prehistoric 24 Dec 2025, 04:16
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We're comparing two animals here.

We have the tetrapod, a salamander-like creature. Bigger than the salamander. Living in the prehistoric era, known for its oxygen rich environment where cells die quickly, slowing new tissue growth. Our tetrapod is an escape artist, severing a limb to escape a predator, and regrowing said limb in due course. However, due to the environment and tetrapod's size, it logically needed more nutrients to rebuild body mass.

We then have the modern-day salamander. Smaller than the tetrapod. Living in the modern era, not as oxygenated (implied, but not necessary), where cells may live for longer, presumably quickening tissue growth. Our salamander is also an escape artist, severing its limbs to escape a predator, and regrowing said limb in 3-4 weeks. Due to the environment and smaller side, a salamander may logically need lesser nutrients to rebuild body mass.

Now, what is NOT given in the passage:

- We don't know how long a tetrapod's limb took to grow. After all, the tetrapod's physiology is similar, not the same, and since it was larger, the rules could be different for it - for not just the time needed to grow, but also for the time needed to rebuild body mass. Logically, yes, it may have taken longer to grow, but do we know that with certainty?

- We also don't know much about a salamander's environment and how it may impact it, but let's see if we even need that missing link while solving the question.


Keeping this thoughts - currently a bit hotch-potch I must admit - in mind, let's see the choices:

A: How can the regeneration of limbs help the tetrapod escape? The loss of the limb is NEEDED to escape, what happens after has nothing to do with the argument. Irrelevant. Eliminate.

B: So we're saying that the limb the tetrapod severed to escape the predator, will regrow in a larger size. The hypotheses comments on the need of nutrients and the slowness of tissue growth, so even if the slowness is being compensated with regrowing a larger limb size, this plays no role in impacting the argument.

C: Hm, this may work, but we do need to see subsequent choices first. We're getting from this, that the new limb will take longer for the tetrapod to generate - that aligns with the assertion that a larger creature will take longer to grow a limb, thus confirm its size, and perhaps even need for nutrients and environment. Let's see the others, just in case.

D: This could be because there were more predators. If being at a disadvantage meant the regrowth process needed to be faster, we can't tell that with the info in the passage. Eliminate.

E: Again, irrelevant. Other means - especially when they aren't mentioned - won't tell us anything about the tetrapod's limb-severing, predator-escaping, limb-regrowing characteristics.

C is quite definitely the right answer.

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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