Paleontologist: The extinction of the Megalodon was not caused by a sudden global cooling event. Fossils of marine mammals—the Megalodon's primary prey—show no population decline in geological strata corresponding to the extinction period. Since its prey thrived, the theory that a catastrophic plunge in ocean temperatures starved the Megalodon is unfounded.
Statement: The discovery that the Megalodon inhabited deep, temperature-stable ocean trenches, whereas its prey occupied highly temperature-variable surface waters, significantly weakens the paleontologist's argument.
Answer: Answer
Answer
The statement is false. The proposed discovery actually strengthens the paleontologist's argument rather than weakening it.
The paleontologist concludes that global cooling did NOT cause the extinction. The new information shows the Megalodon lived in temperature-stable deep waters, meaning it would be physically insulated from a cooling event. This provides an additional, independent reason to believe cooling wasn't the cause. Because this fact bolsters the paleontologist's conclusion, it strengthens the argument. Therefore, the statement asserting that it weakens the argument is false.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Recognizing opposite-task traps in arguments with negative conclusions.
Estimated Time:1m 30s