Logical ReasoningDifficulty: Easy

PT135 S1 Q9 Explanation

Some paleontologists have suggested

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TopicsMain Conclusion

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Stimulus

Some paleontologists have suggested that Apatosaurus, a huge dinosaur, was able to gallop. This, however, is unlikely, because galloping would probably have broken Apatosaurus's legs. Experiments with modern bones show how much strain they can withstand before breaking. By taking into account the diameter and density of Apatosaurus those bones could not have withstood the strains of galloping.

What this question is testing

Main Conclusion

Your task

Break the argument into its conclusion and evidence, then do exactly what the question stem asks with that structure.

Common trap

Answers that sound relevant to the topic but don't connect to the argument's actual reasoning.

Winning move

Predict what a right answer must do, then test each choice against the conclusion-evidence gap.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
9.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the conclusion drawn by the argument

Answer choices

  1. Intermediate Conclusion9% picked this

    Galloping would probably have broken the legs

    This is supported by another point and also supports the argument’s main point.

  2. Evidence4% picked this

    It is possible to calculate that Apatosaurus leg bones could not have withstood the

    This is a premise of the argument.

  3. Correct83% picked this

    The claim of paleontologists that Apatosaurus was able to gallop is likely

    Why this is right

    This best paraphrases the argument’s main point.

    Skill tested: Main Conclusion · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

  4. Assumption5% picked this

    If galloping would have broken the legs of Apatosaurus, then Apatosaurus was probably

    This is an assumption of the intermediate argument.

  5. Unstated Unsupported Comparison0% picked this

    Modern bones are quite similar in structure and physical properties to the

    This claim was definitely never made.

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