Question

as hominids evolved, they created increasingly sophisticated tools. based on this information, which of the following is the best inference that can be made?

• as the size of their brains increased, their cognitive abilities also increased.
• in order to communicate how to make the tools, they must have been capable of language.
• developing tools facilitated the transition to walking upright.
• using tools enabled them to obtain food, so their weight-to-height ratio also increased.

Explanation:

Analyze the prompt

The question states: "As hominids evolved, they created increasingly sophisticated tools. Based on this information, which of the following is the best inference that can be made?"

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "As the size of their brains increased, their cognitive abilities also increased."

This connects tool sophistication to cognitive capacity. In Hominid Evolution, larger brain size (cranial capacity) correlates with increased cognitive abilities, enabling the creation of complex tools.

• Option 2: "In order to communicate how to make the tools, they must have been capable of language."

This is too absolute ("must have been"). Early hominids could teach toolmaking through imitation and gesture without formal language.

• Option 3: "Developing tools facilitated the transition to walking upright."

Bipedalism (walking upright) evolved much earlier than the creation of sophisticated stone tools.

• Option 4: "Using tools enabled them to obtain food, so their weight-to-height ratio also increased."

There is no direct evolutionary correlation between tool use and an increased weight-to-height ratio.

Select the best inference

The first option is the most scientifically supported inference, linking the physical evolution of the brain to the behavioral evidence of sophisticated toolmaking.

Answer:

• (A) As the size of their brains increased, their cognitive abilities also increased. (Correct answer)
• (B) In order to communicate how to make the tools, they must have been capable of language.
• (C) Developing tools facilitated the transition to walking upright.
• (D) Using tools enabled them to obtain food, so their weight-to-height ratio also increased.