Set 5: Inferences (Advanced)
Explanation
PASSAGE
Paleontologists reconstructing dinosaur behavior face a fundamental problem: fossils preserve hard tissues but rarely behavior. Inferences must rely on analogies to living animals—comparing dinosaur anatomy to birds or crocodiles—but such comparisons assume that structure-function relationships remained constant across millions of years of evolution.
What epistemological limitation does the passage identify?
Detailed Explanation
This question asks you to draw a logical conclusion from the text. 'Assume structure-function relationships remained constant' = unverifiable assumptions underlie inferences. A valid inference must be supported by evidence in the passage, even if not stated directly. Look for clues in the text that strongly suggest the answer. Avoid conclusions that require assumptions beyond what's written. Valid inferences are strongly supported by multiple pieces of evidence in the text. Be cautious of choices that go too far beyond what the passage actually states. The best inference is the one most directly supported by textual evidence.
Key Evidence:
• "comparisons assume that structure-function relationships remained constant"
Why others are wrong: A (It's inference, not certainty.), B (Analogies to birds and crocodiles are used.), C (Fossils 'rarely' preserve behavior.).