- Shell is a part of a mussel
- A freshwater mussel is a kind of mussel
- Hence, shell  is a part of a freshwater mussel

- Shell  is a part of a freshwater mussel
- Fossils of shells of freshwater mussels are found in a mountain range
- Hence, fossils of freshwater mussels are found in the mountain range

- Fossils of freshwater mussels are found in the mountain range
- If fossils of a water animal or plant are found in a place then that animal or plant used to live in that place
- A mountain range is a kind of place
- A mussel is a kind of water animal
- Therefore, the freshwater mussels used to live in the place where the mountain range is located

- A freshwater mussel is a mussel lives in freshwater
- A mussel is a kind of water animal
- Hence, a freshwater mussel is a kind of water animal that lives in freshwater

- The freshwater mussels used to live in the place where the mountain range is located
- A freshwater mussel is a kind of water animal that lives in freshwater
- Hence, the mountain range used to be covered by freshwater

- The mountain range used to be covered by freshwater
- A river usually contains freshwater
- Hence, the mountain range was likely to be covered by a river

Hence, the mountain range was likely to be covered by a river
Q: Scientists dig in a dry area at the bottom of a mountain range. Fossilized shells of freshwater mussels are found in the area. Which is a likely conclusion that scientists will draw based on this evidence?
Context:
- If fossils of a water animal or plant are found in a place then that animal or plant used to live in that place 
- Shell is a part of a mussel 
- A river usually contains freshwater 
- Fossils of shells of freshwater mussels are found in a mountain range 
- A freshwater mussel is a kind of mussel 
- A mountain range is a kind of place 
- A freshwater mussel is a mussel lives in freshwater 
- A mussel is a kind of water animal