Astronomer: Earth was bombarded repeatedly by comets and asteroids early ... ...
Astronomer: Earth was bombarded repeatedly by comets and asteroids early in its history. This bombardment probably sterilized the surface and prevented life from originating during this early period in Earth’s geological history. Meanwhile, Mars escaped severe bombardment, and so there could have been microbial life on Mars prior to there being such life on Earth. Because many meteorites originating from Mars have landed on Earth, life on Earth may have started when living microbes were carried here from Mars on a meteorite. Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the astronomer’s argument by the statement that there could have been microbial life on Mars prior to there being such life on Earth?
(A) It is a claim for which no justification is provided but that is required in order to establish the argument’s main conclusion.
(B) ...
(C) ...
(D) ...
(E) ...
*This question is included in
Oct 2012 LSAT (PT67): Logical Reasoning A
