Multiple choice

Directions: Read the passage given below and answer the question that follows it.

Archaeologists have discovered various paintings on the walls and ceiling of a cave found in the Andaman Islands. The entrance of the cave had been blocked by an earthquake in the 5th century BC and was only recently cleared by another earthquake. Since someone had to paint the paintings, archeologists have concluded that people lived on these islands since time earlier than the 5th century.

Which of the following pieces of additional evidence would most seriously weaken the archaeologists’ conclusion?

  1. Later, another entrance of the cave was found which was not blocked by the earthquake.

  2. Archaeologists have evidence that people were living in neighbouring Nicobar Islands since the 5th century BC.

  3. Alternative methods of dating place the time of the earthquake somewhat earlier at around 4th century BC.

  4. Many experts believe that people arrived at these islands not until the 6th century AD.

  5. None of these
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A Correct answer
Explanation

Archaeologists came to a conclusion about people living in the area by using evidence based on the assumption that since an earthquake sealed the cave in the 5th century BC, paintings found in the cave were done before that earthquake. If there were another way that people could get into the cave after the 5th century BC, then the dating of the paintings would be in doubt, as would the conclusion about people living in the Andaman Islands.

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