Logical reasoning PrepTest 147 · Section 4 · Question 19

Incorrect. If anything, this answer suggests that the lichen/grass fireplaces were used for something other than heat, strengthening their use as a food preservation mechanism.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Weaken

Stimulus Summary:
Phenomenon - Neanderthal fireplaces had burnt lichen/grass in them
Context - Lichen/grass produce a lot of smoke but not a lot of heat or light
Explanation - The Neanderthals preserved their meat by smoking it

Answer Anticipation:
The Archaeologist notes a phenomenon and then provides an explanation for it. That phenomenon is the presence of lichen and grass in Neanderthal fireplaces. Since they aren't as good of a source of heat and light as wood, the Archaeologist believes that they had another purpose—to smoke and thus preserve meat.

Whenever an argument concludes an explanation for a phenomenon, you should start thinking about alternative explanations for the phenomenon. And when one is suggested by the stimulus, that generally plays into the correct answer.

Here, another explanation is stated—they could have been burned for light and heat. While lichen/grass don't provide as much of this as wood fires, there's no indication that wood was available to Neanderthals. If lichen/grass was the fuel available that would provide the most heat/light, then it's possible that the Neanderthals used it for that instead of preserving food with smoke. In Weaken questions, we should look for answers that bring up alternative possible explanations, so let's keep an eye out for this or any other one.

Answer Explanation:
If lichen/grass were the best sources of heat and light in the area, then it's very possible that the Neanderthals burned them for heat and light instead of to preserve meat, weakening the argument.

Key Takeaway:
When an argument is designed to explain a phenomenon, you should always consider alternative explanations. When an alternative is brought up in the stimulus—even when evidence is provided against it—that alternative is usually referenced in the correct answer.

Incorrect. This answer establishes that the lichen was imported, suggesting that it was used for a special purpose. Since it smokes better than it heats or lights, if anything, this answer suggests it was used for that unique property, which is more on the strengthen side.

Incorrect. First, this answer is about a different group of Neanderthals. Second, even if a different group had a different method of preservation, that doesn't mean the group in question didn't smoke their meat to preserve it.

Incorrect. This answer establishes that smoking would have benefited the Neanderthals, but that doesn't add anything to the argument. The ability to communicate over long distances would have helped them survive, as well, but that doesn't suggest they had cell phones.