Multiple choice

Two geologists, Dr. Sushma and Dr. Mitra, have a difference of opinion over the significance of finding Samsonite ore, dating back to the Pregregory era, embedded in a section of Mount Agnes. Dr. Sushma postulates that the presence of Samsonite must have been a result of tremendous volcanic activity in the region, since Samsonite is not indigenous to Agnes. However, since volcanic eruptions contain several other minerals, these too should have been present in the section, yet none were. As a result of this evidence, Dr. Mitra refuses to accept Dr. Sushma’s conclusion.

Which of the following casts the most doubt on Dr. Sushma’s conclusion?

  1. The Samsonite that came from volcanic eruptions actually came from several different volcanic eruptions.

  2. When glaciers in the area beyond Mount Agnes receded, they dragged with them various mineral ores, including Samsonite, for hundreds of kilometers.

  3. Samsonite ore that can be reliably dated back to an era before the Pregregory has been discovered at Mount Pin, over a thousand miles away from Mount Agnes.

  4. Due to natural erosion of the mountains, the original composition of the mountain cannot accurately be determined.

  5. None of these
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B Correct answer
Explanation

Dr. Sushma’s point is that the Samsonite could only have come from volcanic activity, which assumes that there is no alternate explanation for its being there. To say it was actually dragged there by glaciers provides an alternate cause, which weakens the argument.

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