Question

in 2001, an indonesian - australian research team excavated the liang bua cave in indonesia in the hopes of finding evidence of early human migration from asia to australia. after two years of carefully searching the limestone cave, the team had found a few interesting fossils but nothing exceptional. then in 2003, a researchers tool struck bone, and the team unearthed a small skull that first appeared to belong to a young modern human (homo sapiens). further analysis revealed something more remarkable: a previously unknown species in the human family tree, which they classified as homo floresiensis.
the species earned its designation \hobbit\ due to its diminutive size, reminiscent of j.r.r. tolkiens fantasy characters. yet despite their small stature, these ancient relatives displayed behaviors similar to other early humans. they crafted stone tools, hunted both large and small prey, and adapted to an environment with dangerous predators like giant komodo dragons. the discovery of homo floresiensis demonstrated how distinct human species could develop along unexpected paths.
which of the following inferences is best supported by the details in the passage?
given that scientists initially mistook the remains as belonging to homo sapiens before noting unexpected traits, it is likely that homo floresiensis and homo sapiens have many similarities.
given that the species displayed behaviors similar to other early humans while being much smaller, they likely evolved these capabilities to compete with larger human species.
given that homo floresiensis adapted to an environment with dangerous predators and mastered fire use, their small size likely provided evolutionary advantages in their habitat

Explanation:

The passage states that the skull first appeared to belong to a young modern human (Homo sapiens). This initial mis - identification implies that there are enough similarities between Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens for the researchers to initially mistake one for the other.
For the second option, there is no mention in the passage about evolving capabilities to compete with larger human species. The passage only says they had behaviors similar to other early humans.
For the third option, there is no mention of mastering fire use in the given passage.

Answer:

Given that scientists initially mistook the remains as belonging to Homo sapiens before noting unexpected traits, it is likely that Homo floresiensis and Homo sapiens have many similarities.