Anthropologist Dr. Rebecca Torres proposes that early humans' ability to cook food played a crucial role in brain development. Cooking breaks down food and makes nutrients more accessible, potentially providing the extra calories needed to fuel larger brains.
Which finding would most directly support Torres's hypothesis?
Modern humans consume more calories than other primates
Archaeological evidence shows controlled fire use began around the same time as accelerated brain size increase in human ancestors
Cooking reduces the time required for digestion
Studies show that cooked starches provide 30% more available glucose to the body than raw starches
Correct Answer: D
Choice D is the best answer. Quantifiable evidence that cooking increases nutrient availability directly supports the "extra calories" mechanism.
- Context clues: Torres claims cooking "makes nutrients more accessible."
- Evidence evaluation: 30% more glucose proves increased caloric availability.
- Verify: This matches the proposed mechanism of how cooking aids brain development.
💡 Strategy: Look for evidence that supports the proposed mechanism, not just correlation.
Choice A is incorrect because modern calorie consumption doesn't prove cooking's historical role. Choice B is incorrect because temporal correlation doesn't prove causation. Choice C is incorrect because faster digestion isn't the same as more calories.