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Difficulty: MediumStrengthen

Anthropologist: Skeletal remains of the prehistoric Xanti people show remarkably low rates of tooth decay, despite their diet consisting primarily of starchy, carbohydrate-rich tubers known to promote dental cavities. The Xanti lived in an area abundant with the mesic tree, and fossilized resin from this tree was frequently found on their teeth. Therefore, the Xanti's habit of chewing mesic resin likely protected their teeth from decay.

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the anthropologist's argument?

  1. A
    The Xanti individuals who consumed the largest quantities of starchy tubers were also the ones who gathered the most mesic resin.
  2. B
    Chemical analysis indicates that mesic tree resin contains enzymes that accelerate the breakdown of starches into cavity-causing sugars.
  3. Skeletal remains of neighboring prehistoric populations who consumed the same starchy tubers but lacked access to mesic trees exhibit extremely high rates of tooth decay.Answer
  4. D
    Many modern oral hygiene products incorporate natural plant-based resins because of their proven antibacterial properties.
  5. E
    The starchy tubers that formed the bulk of the Xanti diet were available year-round, unlike many other seasonal food sources in the region.

Answer

The statement regarding neighboring prehistoric populations lacking access to mesic trees but exhibiting high rates of tooth decay.
The argument concludes that chewing mesic resin caused the low tooth decay among the Xanti people, despite a high-carbohydrate diet. The correct answer strengthens this causal claim by providing a comparison group: a similar population with the same high-carbohydrate diet but without the mesic resin, who suffered from severe tooth decay. Showing that the expected negative effect occurs when the proposed protective cause is absent is a classic way to strengthen a causal relationship.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the argument's conclusion and premises.
Conclusion: Chewing mesic resin protected the Xanti's teeth from decay. Premises: The Xanti had low tooth decay despite a cavity-promoting starchy diet, and mesic resin was found on their teeth.
Deconstructing the argument is necessary to spot the causal claim and the gap in the reasoning.
2
Analyze the logical gap in the argument.
The argument assumes a direct causal relationship between the resin and the lack of decay, without ruling out other factors like regional genetics or alternative dietary elements.
Strengthening a causal argument usually requires ruling out alternative causes or demonstrating the cause-and-effect relationship in a comparative scenario.
3
Evaluate the choices to find evidence that supports the causal link.
The option describing a neighboring population acts as a control group, showing that without the resin (cause absent), severe tooth decay occurs (expected effect).
This directly bolsters the causal claim by verifying that the starchy diet does indeed cause decay in similar populations unless the mesic resin is present.

Key Concept

Strengthening Causal Arguments (Cause without Effect / Control Group)
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Strengthen

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