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About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
- a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.
- b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.
- c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.
- d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.
- e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.
Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia an...
Premise: About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava.
Conclusion: Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
(A) There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river. - irrelevant
(B) The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food. - Irrelevant
(C) The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains - This is a trap answer if you read too fast as the premise states human remains were found on top sediments in lake bottom. Irrespective of the location with respect to lava layer this is not an assumption rather a mere statement of fact hence incorrect choice.
(D) The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it - This is not an assumption rather a property of the lake and does not support the conclusion that humans existed because their remains were found in the lake.
(E) The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared - Correct! This is the assumption that the author bases his/her conclusion on. The author assumes that human remains were already in the sediment on or before the lake disappeared on which basis the conclusion that humans existed when the lake existed is arrived at.
Conclusion: Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
(A) There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river. - irrelevant
(B) The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food. - Irrelevant
(C) The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains - This is a trap answer if you read too fast as the premise states human remains were found on top sediments in lake bottom. Irrespective of the location with respect to lava layer this is not an assumption rather a mere statement of fact hence incorrect choice.
(D) The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it - This is not an assumption rather a property of the lake and does not support the conclusion that humans existed because their remains were found in the lake.
(E) The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared - Correct! This is the assumption that the author bases his/her conclusion on. The author assumes that human remains were already in the sediment on or before the lake disappeared on which basis the conclusion that humans existed when the lake existed is arrived at.
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About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia an...
About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
To reach this conclusion, the argument relies on an assumption. Let's analyze each answer choice to identify the required assumption:
a) There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.
This answer choice is not necessary for the argument's conclusion. The existence of other lakes in the area does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
b) The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.
This answer choice is also irrelevant to the argument's conclusion. The presence or absence of fish in the lake does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
c) The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.
This answer choice is outside the scope of the argument. The presence or absence of human fossil remains in the lava does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
d) The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.
This answer choice is not relevant to the argument's conclusion. The depth of the lake and the possibility of drowning do not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
e) The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.
This is the correct answer choice. The argument assumes that the bones were already present in the sediments when the lake disappeared. If the bones were not already in the sediments, it would not be valid to conclude that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago based on their discovery in the ancient lake-bottom sediments.
Therefore, the assumption required by the argument is that the bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.
To reach this conclusion, the argument relies on an assumption. Let's analyze each answer choice to identify the required assumption:
a) There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.
This answer choice is not necessary for the argument's conclusion. The existence of other lakes in the area does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
b) The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.
This answer choice is also irrelevant to the argument's conclusion. The presence or absence of fish in the lake does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
c) The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.
This answer choice is outside the scope of the argument. The presence or absence of human fossil remains in the lava does not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
d) The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.
This answer choice is not relevant to the argument's conclusion. The depth of the lake and the possibility of drowning do not impact the conclusion that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.
e) The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.
This is the correct answer choice. The argument assumes that the bones were already present in the sediments when the lake disappeared. If the bones were not already in the sediments, it would not be valid to conclude that ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago based on their discovery in the ancient lake-bottom sediments.
Therefore, the assumption required by the argument is that the bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.
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About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? for GMAT 2025 is part of GMAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the GMAT exam syllabus. Information about About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for GMAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for GMAT.
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Here you can find the meaning of About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of
About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an
ample number of questions to practice About two million years ago, lava dammed up a river in western Asia and caused a small lake to form. The lake existed for about half a million years. Bones of an early human ancestor were recently found in the ancient lake-bottom sediments on top of the layer of lava. Therefore, ancestors of modern humans lived in Western Asia between 2 million and 1.5 million years ago.Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?a)There were not other lakes in the immediate area before the lava dammed up the river.b)The lake contained fish that the human ancestors could have used for food.c)The lava under the lake-bottom sediments did not contain any human fossil remains.d)The lake was deep enough that a person could drown in it.e)The bones were already in the sediments by the time the lake disappeared.Correct answer is option 'E'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice GMAT tests.
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