(1) Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants.(2) Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.(3) These animals were so large that scientists did not know how they were able to support their own weight—unless they lived entirely in the water.(4) Scientists also argued that these overgrown creatures were not well suited for survival and likely became extinct after only a few generations.(5 ) However, the fossil evidence suggested that sauropods had existed, on land, for quite a long time.(6) More recent discoveries of sauropod fossils in locations around the world have confirmed that these resilient animals did indeed walk the Earth for millions of years.(7) As a result, scientists have had to rethink many of their previous assumptions about these creatures.(8) By studying these fossils, they are starting to gain a better understanding of how sauropods lived and adapted to the changing environment around them.(9) One area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures.( 10) Because sauropods are reptiles, most early dinosaur researchers estimated sauropod growth rates based on the growth rates of modern reptiles.(11)By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size.(12)A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.(13)It was determined that the animals' growth rates would actually have been faster than those of modern reptiles and closer to those of large-bodied mammals.
In context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)? Sauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long-necked giants. Their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- A. The fossils of sauropods, the long-necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.
- B. Sauropods, long-necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.
- C. Scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.
- D. Scientists studying fossils of the giant, long-necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
Option A effectively combines the two sentences, maintaining clarity and coherence. It clearly identifies sauropods as long-necked giants and links them directly to their fossils, which have puzzled scientists, all in a single, fluid statement. Option B, while informative, awkwardly positions the phrase "whose fossils" and slightly disrupts the flow. Option C introduces unnecessary complexity with a semicolon and the phrase "being giants," which can confuse the reader. Option D is overly verbose and convoluted, making it less effective in conveying the main ideas succinctly.
Other Related Questions
Which is the best way to revise and combine sentences 3 and 4 (reproduced below)? Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner. He studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- A. Lorca was the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- B. The oldest son of a wealthy landowner, Lorca studied literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- C. Lorca, the oldest son of a wealthy landowner, studying literature and law at the University of Granada before turning to writing full-time.
- D. The oldest son of a wealthy landowner who studied literature and law at the University of Granada, Lorca then turning to writing full-time.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by placing the subject, Lorca, at the beginning and clearly linking his identity to his actions. This structure maintains clarity and coherence, allowing readers to easily follow the progression of ideas. Option A lacks a conjunction, resulting in a sentence fragment that does not convey a complete thought. Option C incorrectly uses "studying," which creates a grammatical error by failing to connect the clauses properly. Option D introduces unnecessary complexity with "who studied," and the phrase "Lorca then turning" is awkward and grammatically incorrect. Thus, option B stands out as the most coherent and grammatically sound choice.
Option B effectively combines the two sentences by placing the subject, Lorca, at the beginning and clearly linking his identity to his actions. This structure maintains clarity and coherence, allowing readers to easily follow the progression of ideas. Option A lacks a conjunction, resulting in a sentence fragment that does not convey a complete thought. Option C incorrectly uses "studying," which creates a grammatical error by failing to connect the clauses properly. Option D introduces unnecessary complexity with "who studied," and the phrase "Lorca then turning" is awkward and grammatically incorrect. Thus, option B stands out as the most coherent and grammatically sound choice.
In context, the metaphor in the third sentence ('it was... years') chiefly serves to:
- A. Call attention to the age of the United States as a nation
- B. Question the literary value of the writings by Lewis and Clark
- C. Trivialize the accomplishments of the Lewis and Clark expedition
- D. Place the Lewis and Clark expedition into a broad context
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The metaphor in the third sentence effectively places the Lewis and Clark expedition within a broader historical and cultural context, emphasizing its significance in relation to the age of the nation and its development. Option A, while related to the age of the United States, does not capture the metaphor's broader implications. Option B misinterprets the metaphor, as it does not question literary value but rather highlights historical importance. Option C inaccurately suggests that the metaphor diminishes the expedition’s achievements, whereas it actually elevates their significance by situating them within a larger narrative.
The metaphor in the third sentence effectively places the Lewis and Clark expedition within a broader historical and cultural context, emphasizing its significance in relation to the age of the nation and its development. Option A, while related to the age of the United States, does not capture the metaphor's broader implications. Option B misinterprets the metaphor, as it does not question literary value but rather highlights historical importance. Option C inaccurately suggests that the metaphor diminishes the expedition’s achievements, whereas it actually elevates their significance by situating them within a larger narrative.
In context, which of the following sentences would be best to insert between sentences 11 and 12 (reproduced below)? By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.
- A. Like all dinosaurs, sauropods hatched from eggs.
- B. This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years.
- C. For decades, sauropods were considered emblematic of the phenomenon of extinction.
- D. Sauropod fossils continue to be discovered in regions spread across the globe.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
Option B effectively bridges the gap between the two sentences by highlighting the skepticism surrounding the lengthy growth period of sauropods. It acknowledges the implausibility of the previous conclusion, setting the stage for the subsequent discussion about new scientific insights into sauropod bones. Option A is irrelevant, as it provides basic information about sauropod reproduction that does not relate to their growth or the scientific debate at hand. Option C introduces a different topic—extinction—diverting focus from the growth discussion. Option D, while factual, does not connect to the analysis of growth rates and their implications, making it less suitable for the context.
To make the third and fourth paragraphs most logical, sentence 12 should be placed:
- A. where it is now
- B. after sentence 8
- C. after sentence 9
- D. after sentence 13
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.
Placing sentence 12 after sentence 13 enhances the flow by effectively connecting the ideas presented in the preceding sentences. This positioning allows for a smooth transition, maintaining coherence in the narrative. Option A retains sentence 12 in its current position, disrupting the logical progression of the paragraphs. Option B, placing it after sentence 8, creates a gap in context, as the ideas would not align well. Option C, following sentence 9, also fails to provide the necessary linkage, leaving the reader confused about the relationship between the concepts. Thus, option D is the most logical choice for clarity and coherence.