Ornithologist: The Curvature Of The Claws Of The Modern Tree-Dwelling GMAT Critical Reasoning

Question: Ornithologist: the curvature of the claws of the modern tree-dwelling birds enables them to perch in trees. The claws of Archeopteryx, the earliest known birdlike creature, show similar curvature that must have enabled the creature to perch on tree limbs. Therefore, Archeopteryx was probably a tree-dwelling creature.

Paleontologist: No, the ability to perch in trees is not good evidence that Archeopteryx was a tree-dwelling bird. Chickens also spend time perched in trees, yet chickens are primarily ground-dwelling.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the ornithologist’s reasoning depends?

(A) Modern tree-dwelling birds are the direct descendants of Archeopteryx.
(B) Archeopteryx made use of the curvature of its claws.
(C) There have never been tree-dwelling birds without curved claws.
(D) Archeopteryx was in fact the earliest birdlike creature.
(E) The curvature of the claws is the only available evidence for the claim that Archeopteryx was tree-dwelling.

“Ornithologist: the curvature of the claws of the modern tree-dwelling” - is a GMAT question about critical thinking. A candidate may choose to either find evidence that would undermine the argument or present an argument that is illogical in order to respond to the question. The GMAT critical reasoning gauges a candidate's aptitude for logic and analysis. Candidates must identify the argument's advantages and disadvantages as well as its logical flaws for this topic. Out of the 36 GMAT verbal questions, 10–13 critical reasoning questions are found.

Answer: B
Explanation:

Ornithologist: The modern tree-dwelling birds have curved claws that allow them to perch in trees. Similar curvature can be seen in the claws of Archeopteryx, the earliest bird-like creature known to science. This feature must have allowed the creature to perch on tree limbs. As a result, Archeopteryx was probably a creature that lived in trees.

Paleontologist: No, the ability to perch in trees does not prove that Archeopteryx was a bird that lived in trees. Although they mostly live on the ground, chickens do occasionally perch in trees.

Let's examine each option to determine which one serves as an assumption needed the ornithologist's reasoning to be valid

Option A : Incorrect

This option states that Archeopteryx is the direct ancestor of contemporary birds that inhabit trees. There is no discussion of direct descendants. If we reject this, the conclusion remains valid. Therefore this option is rejected.

Option B : Correct

This option states that Archeopteryx utilised the shape of its claws. Yes. If Archeopteryx didn't have claws, the reasoning of the ornithologists would be less credible. Therefore this option is the right answer.

Option C : Incorrect

According to this option, there have never been any birds that live in trees that lack curved claws. The word "never" here is too strong. It fails to hit the conclusion. Therefore this option is rejected.

Option D : Incorrect

According to this option, Archeopteryx was the earliest bird-like creature. It is merely a paraphrase. This is not an assumption. Therefore this option is rejected.

Option E : Incorrect

This option states that the only available proof that Archeopteryx lived in trees is the curvature of its claws. The single piece of evidence is not important to Archeopteryx. We are discussing the available evidence. Beyond our purview is something else. Therefore this option is rejected.

From the explanations given above, it is clear that the second option is the right answer.

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