Logic Breakdown

Passage Summary: Some biologists think fossils give us a clear, direct map of human evolution, but they are wrong. You can't look at a fossil objectively because the labels you give it are based on the theories you already believe.

Conclusion: It is a mistake to believe that the fossil record offers direct evidence of how humans evolved.

Reasoning: Fossil classification is not objective because the way scientists categorize physical traits is influenced by the specific evolutionary theories they are trying to prove.

Analysis: The conclusion is found in the very first sentence, signaled by the author's claim that certain people are 'mistaken.' The rest of the passage serves to explain *why* they are mistaken (subjectivity) and provides a specific example (the pelvis) to illustrate that subjectivity. When identifying the conclusion, ensure you don't get distracted by the premises or the example; focus on the author's primary corrective claim.

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14.

Which one of the following most accurately expresses the overall conclusion of the argument?

Correct Answer
D
It cleanly restates the author’s overarching conclusion: the fossil record does not directly reveal the course of human evolution.
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