Hi
@Adit_The argument says that there is a belief on a method to determine the snakes age but counting the layers. However, whenever the temp crosses the level of 120 deg F, the outermost layer peel away.
Ok so lets pause here suppose the 1 layer shows 1 yr of snake and there is black Mamba snake who has currently 50 layers, who reside in environment where temp crosses 120 degree F in summer. Someone is studying the belief and came there to count the age, but he doesnot have any idea how many layers that snake lost and the temp is over 120 deg F twice in that season. Then how will he able to find the age based on present outer layer.
In the argument it was said the layers will be lower because of peeling off the layer. This is the prediction, not how much layer will be peeled each time the temp exceeds.so the author concludes the only way to determine the age if the temp doesn't exceed 120 deg. Options E presents the must be true option that there are no other way to determine, and if we will predict how much layer is lost then conclusion doesn't hold.
Hope this clarifies the doubt.
Adit_
I like the solution - it’s helpful. Well, I find the solution pretty vague, what is not predictable? It is predictable that the scales will be LOWER than what is original number of scales. The final sentence of the question talks only about Mamba and that if something happens to Mamba then so and so takes place. So the answer basically questions the premise since its predictable technically. Since it will be lower, the question says that temp must be above 120.
Kindly correct me if I am wrong.