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Information and IdeasVery hardEvidence that a fossil was misidentified

Information and Ideas practice question

A palaeontologist argues that a fossil long identified as a fish is in fact an early amphibian.

Which finding, if true, would most directly support the claim?

  1. A. A scan of the fossil shows finger bones inside what had been taken for fins, a feature found in amphibians and never in fish.Correct
  2. B. The fossil was found in rock that formed in shallow water.
  3. C. The fossil is about 30 centimetres long.
  4. D. Amphibians and fish share a common ancestor.

Answer: A. A scan of the fossil shows finger bones inside what had been taken for fins, a feature found in amphibians and never in fish.

Fingers, not fins.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. The fossil was found in rock that formed in shallow water.
Shallow water suits either.
C. The fossil is about 30 centimetres long.
Size does not distinguish them.
D. Amphibians and fish share a common ancestor.
Shared ancestry does not identify this fossil.

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