[1] Dinosaurs first appeared 231.4 million years ago, during the Triassic period. They existed throughout the Jurassic period (201 million years ago) until the end of the Cretaceous period (66 million years ago). At that point, an extinction event occurred, but their descendants still include birds and reptiles today.
[2] Paleontologists have narrowed down 500 specific genera and more than 1,000 different species of non-avian dinosaurs on every continent, based on their studies of fossil evidence. Dinosaurs were both biped and quadrupedal, both meat-eating and plant-eating. Some had bony armor, spines, horns, and crests.
[3] Some dinosaurs were as high as 9.25 meters and as long as 58 meters, although the majority of them were quite small. Dinosaurs were a group of reptiles and neornithes (birds). Birds are now noted as the only surviving group of theropod dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are classed as archosaurs with limbs held straight under the body. These animals were the dominant land vertebrates of the Jurassic, Cretaceous and Mesozoic periods. Until now, 500 non-avian dinosaurs and 1047 species are considered to have existed. Some of these dinosaurs were seed-eaters, fish-eaters, insect-eating and omnivores. Some non-avian dinosaurs, such as Microraptor, could fly or glide, and others had semi-aquatic habits.
[4] Dromaeosaurs stood on their hind legs, with their tails rigidly extended. Their bodies were covered in fine feathers. Paleontologists have interpreted their bodies with fossil evidence to create precise images and models of dinosaurs, now on display in museums. As individual dinosaurs of the same species are similar, scientists can estimate their features even with skeletons that have missing bones. Investigations of the dinosaur body indicate that living animals with the same construction hold their bodies in the same way. Therefore, scientists can model the reconstruction of these living animals. However, scientists don’t rely only on bones for information. Fossil bones frequently have muscle attachment scars that give clues about the location and size of the muscle. Once again, scientists compare this information with living animals to create model images.
[5] When reconstructing dinosaur models, scientists and artists add more muscle to the skeleton and add armor and feathers, depending on the species. They then add color and finally, the skin is added, along with armor or feathers if the species is known to have them. In some cases, sediment around fossils has given impressions of the skin of the dinosaur. So, scientists can estimate a smooth or scaly skin on the dinosaur.
[6] Ankylosaurs were known for their armoured bodies. They had hard plates, spines, and knobs on their skin. Scientists have a clear understanding of the look of these dinosaurs. Discovery of theropod fossils in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs had feathers. These dinosaurs were covered with hair-like or downy feathers; others had long, pinnate feathers on their arms and tails, like birds. Fossils discovered at other locations also provide indirect evidence of feathers. Based on the quill knob fossils noted, scientists assume that these dinosaurs had feathers. At the same location in China, a well-preserved theropod fossil called Sinosauropteryx was discovered. The feathers contain melanosomes, pigment-making organelles that add colour to the skin, hair, and feathers in modern animals. From this information, scientists were able to conclude that this predator had an orange-and-brown striped tail. However, the colour of most dinosaur skin continues to be a mystery.
[7] Regarding behaviour, it is believed that herding or flocking was common to dinosaur groups, as noted among bird groups too. Multiple trackways suggest that dinosaurs were social animals and moved in large herds, similar to the behaviour of American bison or the African springbok. There is some evidence that many types of slow-growing dinosaurs, including various theropods, sauropods, ankylosaurs, ornithopods, and ceratopsians, formed aggregations of immature individuals. A site in Inner Mongolia has revealed remains of over 20 Sinornithomimus, from one to seven years old. This collection is considered to have been a social group that became trapped in mud. It is also believed that theropods were pack hunters working together to attack prey. This behaviour, however, is uncommon among modern birds, crocodiles, and other reptiles which suggests that this mammal-like pack hunting and aggressive behaviour were more common among theropods.
1 Which of the following can be inferred from paragraph 1 about dinosaurs?
• Although dinosaurs are extinct, their descendants include birds and reptiles.
• Because dinosaurs are extinct, their descendants include birds and reptiles.
• Dinosaurs are not actually extinct as their descendants include birds and reptiles.
• As birds and reptiles are their descendants, dinosaurs are not actually extinct.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered
a is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 1:
'At that point, an extinction event occurred, but their descendants still include birds and reptiles today' (Paragraph 1, lines 3 to 5).
b is not the correct answer because there the use of the word 'because' suggests extinction caused bird and reptiles, which is inaccurate, according lines 1 to 3 of the passage.
c is not the correct answer because according to the passage, dinosaurs ARE extinct; birds and reptiles are not dinosaurs but only descendants of dinosaurs.
d is not the correct answer because according to the passage, dinosaurs ARE extinct; birds and reptiles are not dinosaurs but only descendants of dinosaurs.
2 According to paragraph 2, where did dinosaurs exist and what did they eat?
• Dinosaurs were carnivores, existing on every continent.
• Dinosaurs existed only in some continents and consisted of seed-eaters, omnivores and meat-eaters.
• Dinosaurs existed on all continents and included seed-eaters, omnivores and meat-eaters.
• Dinosaurs existed in tropical areas and included seed-eaters, omnivores and meat-eaters.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: c
Your Selection: Not Answered
c is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 2:
'Paleontologists have narrowed down 500 specific genera and more than 1,000 different species of non-avian dinosaurs on every continent, based on their studies of fossil evidence. Dinosaurs were both biped and quadrupedal, both meat-eating and plant-eating. Some had bony armor, spines, horns and crests'. (Lines 1 to 4).
a is not the correct answer because on Line 3, it states that dinosaurs were also plant eaters.
b is not the correct answer because on Line 2, it states dinosaurs existed on 'every' (not 'some') continent.
d is not the correct answer because there is no reference to 'tropical areas' in paragraph 2.
3 In paragraph 3, why does the author mention the dinosaur Microraptor?
• This dinosaur was a common example of a non-avian dinosaur.
• This dinosaur was semi-aquatic and could fly or glide.
• This dinosaur was unique because it was non-avian, yet it was semi-aquatic.
• This dinosaur was unique because it was non-avian, yet it could fly and glide.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered
d is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 3:
'Some non-avian dinosaurs, such as Microraptor, could fly or glide,...' (Line 9).
a is not the correct answer because there is no reference to the fact that the Microraptor was a 'common example'.
b is not the correct answer because it is clear from lines 9 and 10 that the Microraptor was NOT semi-aquatic (OTHERS were semi-aquatic):
'Some non-avian dinosaurs, such as Microraptor, could fly or glide, and others had semi-aquatic habits' (Lines 9 and 10).
c is not the correct answer because it completely contradicts lines 9 and 10.
4 According to paragraph 4, all of the following statements are true about the physiology of dinosaurs, EXCEPT:
• Dromaeosaurs were covered in fine feathers.
• The features of species similar to Dromaeosaurs can be estimated unless there are missing bones.
• Scientists base models of these dinosaurs on living animals.
• Muscle attachment scars help scientists understand the location and size of a muscle.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered
b is correct because there it inverts the meaning of lines 4 to 6 of paragraph 4:
'As individual dinosaurs of the same species are similar, scientists can estimate their features even with skeletons that have missing bones'. (4 to 6).
a, c and d are incorrect as they are true statements from the passage:
a> Dromaeosaurs stood on their hind legs, with their tails rigidly extended. Their bodies were covered in fine feathers' (Lines 1 and 2).
c> Investigations of the dinosaur body indicate that living animals with the same construction hold their bodies in the same way. Therefore, scientists can model the reconstruction on these living animals (Paragraph 4, lines 6 to 8).
d > Fossil bones frequently have muscle attachment scars that give clues about the location and size of the muscle (Lines 8 and 9).
5 Paragraph 6 supports which of the following statements about fossils discovered in Liaoning, northeastern China:
• Study of quill knob fossils discovered in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs had orange and brown-striped tails.
• Discovery of theropod fossils in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs did not have feathers.
• Discovery of theropod fossils in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs had feathers.
• Discovery of theropod fossils in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs had pigmented skin.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: c
Your Selection: Not Answered
c is the correct answer because there is evidence to support this statement in paragraph 6:
'Discovery of theropod fossils in Liaoning, in northeastern China, indicates that many species of predatory dinosaurs had feathers. These dinosaurs were covered with hair-like or downy feathers; others had long, pinnate feathers on their arms and tails, like birds. Fossils discovered at other locations also provide indirect evidence of feathers'. (Paragraph 6, Lines 3 to 8).
a is not the correct answer because there it was 'Discovery of theropod fossils', not 'Study of quill knob fossils' that indicated the existence of feathers, not an orange and brown-striped tail (line 3).
b is not the correct answer because the statement contradicts paragraph 6.
d is not the correct answer because it was the discovery of the fossil, Sinosauropteryx (not the discovery of theropod fossils), that led to the awareness of dinosaur's pigmented skin.
6 The word 'predator' in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to:
• Animal
• Victim
• Animal of prey
• Prey
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: c
Your Selection: Not Answered
c is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the word 'predator'.
a is not the correct answer because this word means 'multicellular, eukaryotic organisms'
b is not the correct answer because this word means 'prey'.
d is not the correct answer because this word means 'animal that is hunted and killed by a predator'.
7 Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the following sentence?
This behaviour, however, is uncommon among modern birds, crocodiles, and other reptiles which suggests that this mammal-like pack hunting and aggressive behaviour were more common among theropods
• This mammal-like, pack predatory behaviour was more unusual among theropods, whereas it is normal among crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds.
• This mammal-like, pack predatory behaviour was more usual among theropods, whereas it is not normal among crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds.
• This dinosaur-like, pack predatory behaviour was more usual among theropods, and it is also common among crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds.
• This mammal-like, pack predatory behaviour is more usual among crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds, whereas it was not normal among theropods.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: b
Your Selection: Not Answered
b is the correct answer because it is closest in meaning to the sample sentence
a is not the correct answer because it inverts the meaning of the original statement when it says mammal-like behavior was 'unusual' among theropods.
c is not the correct answer because it contradicts the point that mammal-like behavior was NOT common among 'crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds'.
d is not the correct answer because it also contradicts the point that mammal-like behavior was NOT common among 'crocodiles, other reptiles and modern birds'.
8 Which of the following is true, according to the passage?
• Scientists have gathered enough evidence to know the body size, movement, behaviour and skin texture of many dinosaurs.
• Scientists have gathered enough evidence to know the colour, sound, location and skin texture of many dinosaurs.
• Scientists have gathered enough evidence to know the body size, direction of movement, behaviour and skin colour of many dinosaurs.
• Scientists have gathered enough evidence to know the quantity, parental behaviour and skin texture of many dinosaurs.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: a
Your Selection: Not Answered
a is the correct answer because it is inferred in the passage:
'Ankylosaurs were known for their armoured bodies. They had hard plates, spines and knobs on their skin... At the same location in China, a well-preserved theropod fossil called Sinosauropteryx was discovered. The feathers contain melanosomes, pigment-making organelles that add colour to the skin, hair and feathers in modern animals. From this information, scientists were able to conclude that this predator had an orange-and-brown striped tail' (Paragraph 6).
b is not the correct answer because there is no 'sound' in the text.
c is not the correct answer because there is no indication in the passage of 'direction of movement'.
d is not the correct answer because there is no reference to 'parental behaviour or quantity' in the passage.
9 Examine the four █ in the selection below and indicate at which block the following sentence could be inserted into the passage:
Further evidence reveals it was a small theropod with an unusually long tail and short arms
█ [A] At the same location in China, a well-preserved theropod fossil called Sinosauropteryx was discovered. █ [B] The feathers contain melanosomes, pigment-making organelles that add colour to the skin, hair and feathers in modern animals. █ [C] From this information, scientists were able to conclude that this predator had an orange-and-brown striped tail. █ [D] .
• [A]
• [B]
• [C]
• [D]
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 1 point.
Correct Answer: d
Your Selection: Not Answered
d is correct because the sample sentence with 'Further evidence' indicates even more 'information' follows the sentence C, 'From this information, scientists were able to conclude that this predator had an orange-and-brown striped tail'. The word 'predator' in Sentence C refers to 'a small theropod' in the sample sentence that follows it.
10Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.
Drag your answer choices to the spaces where they belong. To remove an answer choice, drag it back. To review the passage, click VIEW TEXT.
Regarding behaviour, it is believed that herding or flocking was common to dinosaur groups, as noted among bird groups too.
• A.Dinosaurs were social animals and moved in groups.
• B.This herd-like behaviour is similar to that of modern animals, including mammals.
• C.The fossils found in Mongolia are further proof that dinosaurs moved in groups.
• A.Dinosaurs were social animals and moved in groups.
• B.This herd-like behaviour is similar to that of modern animals, including mammals.
• C.The fossils found in Mongolia are further proof that dinosaurs moved in groups.
• D.All of the dinosaurs mentioned (theropods, sauropods, ankylosaurs, ornithopods, ceratopsians and Sinornithomimus) were pack hunters.
• E.Theropods were prey, attacked by other dinosaurs.
• F.All dinosaurs moved in groups to find food.
ANSWER EXPLANATION
Question is worth: 2 points.
Correct Answer: a,b,c
Your Selection: Not Answered
a, b and c are the correct answers because there is evidence in the passage supporting each point.
a> 'Regarding behaviour, it is believed that herding or flocking was common to dinosaur groups, as noted among bird groups too. Multiple trackways suggest that dinosaurs were social animals and moved in large herds, similar to the behaviour of American bison or the African springbok' (Paragraph 7, lines 1 to 4). There is some evidence that many types of slow-growing dinosaurs, including various theropods, sauropods, ankylosaurs, ornithopods, and ceratopsians, formed aggregations of immature individuals.
b> 'similar to the behaviour of American bison or the African springbok'. (line 4).
c> 'A site in Inner Mongolia has revealed remains of over 20 Sinornithomimus, from one to seven years old. This collection is considered to have been a social group that became trapped in mud. It is also believed that theropods were pack hunters working together to attack prey. This behaviour, however, is uncommon among modern birds, crocodiles, and other reptiles which suggests that this mammal-like pack hunting and aggressive behaviour were more common among theropods' (lines 6 to 11).
d is not the correct answer because there the text suggests that theropods (not other dinosaurs) were pack hunters (Lines 6 to 11).
e is not the correct answer because it's clear that the text suggest theropods were hunters, not prey (lines 6 to 11).
f is not the correct answer because here is no reference to 'all groups' of dinosaurs moving in groups in this passage.
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