(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 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.
Other Related Questions
Which choice best replaces the underlined portion of sentence 1 (reproduced below)? When selecting her ingredients, a chef has a seemingly small-but nonetheless consequential choice-she can patronize a conventional grocery store, or she can turn to a nearby farm.
- A. small but nonetheless consequential choice,
- B. small but nonetheless consequential choice:
- C. small-but nonetheless consequential choice;
- D. small but nonetheless, consequential choice,
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
Option B effectively uses a colon to introduce the two alternatives, enhancing clarity. The colon indicates that what follows elaborates on the choice being discussed. Option A lacks proper punctuation to separate the phrases, making it less clear. Option C incorrectly uses a semicolon, which is inappropriate here as it suggests a stronger separation between clauses than intended. Option D misplaces the comma, creating an unnecessary pause that disrupts the flow of the sentence. Overall, option B best maintains the sentence's coherence while clearly presenting the alternatives.
Which sentence should be deleted because it contains irrelevant information?
- A. Sentence 6
- B. Sentence 7
- C. Sentence 9
- D. Sentence 14
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Sentence 9 introduces information that does not directly support the main argument or theme of the passage, making it irrelevant to the central discussion. In contrast, Sentence 6 provides context, Sentence 7 offers a critical example, and Sentence 14 concludes the argument effectively. Each of these sentences contributes meaningfully to the overall coherence and purpose of the text. Removing Sentence 9 enhances clarity by eliminating distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the essential points being made.
Sentence 9 introduces information that does not directly support the main argument or theme of the passage, making it irrelevant to the central discussion. In contrast, Sentence 6 provides context, Sentence 7 offers a critical example, and Sentence 14 concludes the argument effectively. Each of these sentences contributes meaningfully to the overall coherence and purpose of the text. Removing Sentence 9 enhances clarity by eliminating distractions, allowing the reader to focus on the essential points being made.
The main idea of the passage is that some types of poison frogs:
- A. have developed the capacity to protect themselves from the poison they carry in their skin
- B. could eventually produce a natural pain relief option for people who suffer from headaches
- C. combine chemicals from their food to create a toxic substance that keeps them safe from predators
- D. can be grouped based on the changes they've made to their nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Option A highlights the unique adaptation of certain poison frogs, emphasizing their ability to protect themselves from their own toxins. This reflects a key aspect of their survival strategy. Option B, while interesting, suggests a potential human application of frog toxins that is not the main focus of the passage. Option C inaccurately attributes the creation of toxins solely to food sources, overlooking the frogs' inherent toxic traits. Option D focuses on a specific biological mechanism that, while relevant, does not encapsulate the broader theme of self-protection central to the passage.
Option A highlights the unique adaptation of certain poison frogs, emphasizing their ability to protect themselves from their own toxins. This reflects a key aspect of their survival strategy. Option B, while interesting, suggests a potential human application of frog toxins that is not the main focus of the passage. Option C inaccurately attributes the creation of toxins solely to food sources, overlooking the frogs' inherent toxic traits. Option D focuses on a specific biological mechanism that, while relevant, does not encapsulate the broader theme of self-protection central to the passage.
Which is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 5 (reproduced below)? However, the fossil evidence suggested that sauropods will have existed, on land, for quite a long time.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. exist,
- C. existed,
- D. will exist.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The choice "existed" accurately reflects the past tense required by the context, indicating that the fossil evidence pertains to a time when sauropods were already present on Earth. Option A, retaining the original phrasing, incorrectly uses "will have existed," which suggests a future perfect tense that does not align with the historical nature of fossil evidence. Option B, "exist," shifts to present tense, failing to convey the past timeframe relevant to the fossils. Option D, "will exist," also implies a future occurrence, which is inconsistent with the established fact that sauropods are known to have lived in the past.
The choice "existed" accurately reflects the past tense required by the context, indicating that the fossil evidence pertains to a time when sauropods were already present on Earth. Option A, retaining the original phrasing, incorrectly uses "will have existed," which suggests a future perfect tense that does not align with the historical nature of fossil evidence. Option B, "exist," shifts to present tense, failing to convey the past timeframe relevant to the fossils. Option D, "will exist," also implies a future occurrence, which is inconsistent with the established fact that sauropods are known to have lived in the past.