PrepTest 142

Incorrect. The rarity of the evidence doesn't speak to its relevance to the question at hand.

Incorrect. The presence of evidence for an opposing point doesn't speak to the relevance of this evidence. Most things have evidence for and against them—the question is whether this evidence is good evidence.

Correct. Argument or Facts:
Argument

Valid or Flawed:
Flawed

Question Type:
Argument Evaluation

Stimulus Summary:
T. rex collagen proteins are similar to modern-day chicken collagen protein. Therefore, this adds to the evidence that dinosaurs and birds are related.

Answer Anticipation:
The conclusion of this argument rests completely on the comparison between the T. rex collagen protein and modern-day chicken collagen proteins. The close relationship between dinosaurs and chickens is based on this relationship. Therefore, we need to know that collagen protein is a good way to measure the closeness of a relationship. If all collagen proteins across all animals are similar, then that evidence is looking pretty weak. If collagen proteins differ widely between animal species, then the evidence is adding to that mountain of evidence of a relationship between dinosaurs and birds.

Let's find an answer that raises a question about collagen proteins between species.

Answer Explanation:
This answer calls into question the relevance of collagen protein in determining two species' relationship to each other. If it's very likely that animals not closely related have similar collagen protein, then the argument is on shaky ground. If it's almost unheard of for unrelated animals to have similar collagen protein, then the evidence here does seem to suggest a relationship.

Key Takeaway:
One way to approach Argument Evaluation answers is to answer the question at two extremes and see if it has a different effect each time on the argument (one should strengthen; one should weaken).

Incorrect. Two issues with this answer. First, it has nothing to do with collagen, so it doesn't help us evaluate this argument. Second, only one answer to this question helps the overall theory—if the answer is yes, then the theory is stronger, but if the answer is no, the theory could very well still be viable if the T. rex is more closely related to the chicken than other modern-day animals.

Incorrect. This answer would be correct if the researchers suspected the collagen proteins would be similar because collagen proteins are a good indicator for species relationship. However, since the answer doesn't establish that connection, this question still doesn't address the applicability of the collagen evidence to the conclusion, so it's incorrect.