When species are extensively hunted, individuals that reach

[khushbumerchant]

Source: GMAT prep test

When species are extensively hunted, individuals that reach reproductive maturity early make up a larger proportion of the population, because they have a better chance of reproducing. When species face diminished food resources, on the other hand, individuals tend to take longer to reach reproductive maturity. These considerations may help settle whether the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of North America's mastodons, prehistoric animals related to elephants, was diminished food resources or human hunting, since __________.
Which of the following most logically completes the reasoning?

A. from the location of certain hunting weapons in juxtaposition with mastodon remains, it is possible to determine whether those weapons were used to hunt mastodons.

B. the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity can be established from mastodon tusks, of which there are many fossils dating from different periods

C. from the remains of mastodons already discovered, it can be accurately estimated when mastodons became extinct

D. from tusks and other bones, it is possible to determine whether male and female mastodons reached reproductive maturity at about same age

E. it is possible to determine whether earliest human dwellings constructed from mastodon tusks and bones come from an earlier period than the earliest hunting weapons unambiguously associated with mastodon remains.

Correct answer choice: B
Though I had selected choice D.
I do not see much difference in both options. They both showcase as how one can determine elephants age based on their tusks ans bones. Than what is wrong with choice D here? And what makes choice B, better than choice D?

Thanks in advance.

[Jazmet]

The argument questions whether the reproductive maturity came early or late in order to figure out the cause of the extinction.
If early age - because of hunting.
If later age - because of the food scarcity.

Option 'D' talks about whether male and female reached the reproductive age the same time. It may be early or it may be later. Hence, it doesn't give enough evidence to find out if the reproductive maturity came early or later.

Option 'B' - it sure strengthens the argument by taking about the the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity that can be established from mastodon tusks.

Instructors - Please clarify if I am wrong.

[RonPurewal]

The argument questions whether the reproductive maturity came early or late in order to figure out the cause of the extinction.
If early age - because of hunting.
If later age - because of the food scarcity.

Option 'D' talks about whether male and female reached the reproductive age the same time. It may be early or it may be later. Hence, it doesn't give enough evidence to find out if the reproductive maturity came early or later.

Option 'B' - it sure strengthens the argument by taking about the the average age at which mastodons reached reproductive maturity that can be established from mastodon tusks.

Instructors - Please clarify if I am wrong.

that's an excellent explanation. nicely done.

[JbhB682]

Hi Experts, Could you please confirm my notes on the Standard (or what should i look for) in the answer choice is accurate ? I tend to write this as i look for answer choices as a rule of thumb

Looking for an answer choice that

Can help us settle an issue with the facts given to us regarding hunting or food scarcity

[Sage Pearce-Higgins]

I'm not sure I understand your question. The aim of the investigation is to 'determine whether the primary cause of the gradual disappearance of North America's mastodons ... was diminished food resources or human hunting'. We're told that information about the age individuals of species reach reproductive maturity would help us determine this, so we're looking for something in the answer that would provide information about changes about the age mastadons reached reproductive maturity.