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Question

Difficulty: HardDetermining Statement Roles

Paleontologist: The discovery of fibrolamellar bone tissue in Late Triassic archosaurs has led many to conclude that these animals possessed high metabolic rates similar to modern birds. However, rapid bone deposition can also be a physiological response to seasonal environmental stress, independent of basal metabolism. Since the paleoclimate of the Late Triassic was characterized by extreme monsoonal seasons, the presence of such bone tissue is insufficient to prove these archosaurs were endothermic. Therefore, we must seek isotopic evidence before making definitive claims about their metabolic biology.

The claim that the presence of such bone tissue is insufficient to prove these archosaurs were endothermic plays which one of the following roles in the paleontologist's argument?

  1. It is a subsidiary conclusion that is supported by claims regarding bone physiology and ancient climates, and which in turn supports the argument's primary prescription.Answer
  2. B
    It is the overall conclusion of the argument, for which the subsequent claim regarding the necessity of seeking isotopic evidence is offered as support.
  3. C
    It is a premise offered to directly contradict the assertion that modern birds and Late Triassic archosaurs share similar basal metabolic rates.
  4. D
    It represents the central thesis of the researchers whose interpretation of the fossil record the paleontologist sets out to challenge.
  5. E
    It functions as a piece of background information that introduces the scientific phenomenon the argument subsequently seeks to explain.

Answer

The statement acts as an intermediate (subsidiary) conclusion that bridges the paleontologist's physiological evidence with their final recommendation.
The correct answer accurately identifies the target statement as a subsidiary conclusion. The statement is derived from preceding premises about bone physiology (rapid deposition can result from stress) and ancient climates (the Late Triassic was monsoonal). In turn, this statement serves as a premise that logically supports the argument's final, primary prescription: that paleontologists must seek isotopic evidence before making definitive claims.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the main conclusion of the argument.
The main conclusion is the final sentence: 'Therefore, we must seek isotopic evidence before making definitive claims about their metabolic biology.'
This is the ultimate recommendation the author is trying to prove, signaled by the conclusion indicator 'Therefore'.
2
Analyze the context and premises preceding the target statement.
The author introduces an opposing view, then provides two premises: rapid bone deposition can be caused by environmental stress, and the Triassic climate was highly stressful (monsoonal).
These statements function as evidence to challenge the initial opposing view.
3
Determine the structural relationship of the target statement.
The target statement ('the presence of such bone tissue is insufficient...') is supported by the two premises identified in Step 2, and it directly justifies the main conclusion identified in Step 1.
Because it is supported by premises and in turn supports the main conclusion, it is an intermediate (or subsidiary) conclusion.

Key Concept

Determining the structural role of a statement, specifically identifying intermediate conclusions that bridge premises to a main conclusion.
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Topics

Determining Statement Roles

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