(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 is the best version of the underlined portion of sentence 6 (reproduced below)? 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.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. that, these resilient animals
- C. that these resilient animals.
- D. that these resilient animals
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D is the best choice as it eliminates unnecessary punctuation, creating a smooth and grammatically correct sentence. The phrase "that these resilient animals" flows naturally and maintains clarity. Option A retains the comma, which incorrectly separates the subject from the verb, leading to a fragmented structure. Option B includes an unnecessary comma after "that," disrupting the sentence's flow. Option C, while similar to D, incorrectly ends with a period, making it incomplete and affecting the overall coherence of the sentence.
Option D is the best choice as it eliminates unnecessary punctuation, creating a smooth and grammatically correct sentence. The phrase "that these resilient animals" flows naturally and maintains clarity. Option A retains the comma, which incorrectly separates the subject from the verb, leading to a fragmented structure. Option B includes an unnecessary comma after "that," disrupting the sentence's flow. Option C, while similar to D, incorrectly ends with a period, making it incomplete and affecting the overall coherence of the sentence.
The writer is considering adding the following sentence to the end of the fourth paragraph: 'Surprisingly, according to The Economist, there were 1.6 million commercial farms in Brazil in 2010.' Should the writer make this addition here?
- A. Yes, because it emphasizes the paragraph's focus on the economic power of large farms.
- B. Yes, because it uses concrete data to provide context about local farms and commercial farms.
- C. No, because it is unrelated to the economic challenges small farms may face.
- D. No, because it fails to show a clear connection to the paragraph's focus on supporting local farms.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
Adding the sentence enhances the paragraph by providing concrete data, which helps contextualize the discussion about local and commercial farms. It bridges the gap between the economic landscape and the realities faced by different types of farms, enriching the reader's understanding. Option A misinterprets the focus; while large farms are mentioned, the emphasis is on the economic challenges faced by smaller farms. Option C incorrectly suggests that the data is unrelated; understanding the number of commercial farms is essential to discussing the economic landscape. Option D overlooks that the data can indeed support a broader discussion about local farms by contrasting them with commercial operations.
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 2 (reproduced below)? Supposing a store may provide benefits such as a broad range of options, a local farm can offer major advantages of its own.
- A. (as it is now)
- B. When a store supposes it
- C. Although a store
- D. A store though
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C, "Although a store," introduces a contrast between the benefits of a store and those of a local farm, enhancing the sentence's clarity. This structure effectively highlights the unique advantages of local farms, making the comparison more impactful. Option A maintains the original phrasing but lacks the contrast needed for a stronger argument. Option B, "When a store supposes it," introduces ambiguity and weakens the sentence by suggesting uncertainty rather than presenting a comparison. Option D, "A store though," is informal and does not establish a clear relationship between the two subjects, ultimately reducing the sentence's effectiveness.
Option C, "Although a store," introduces a contrast between the benefits of a store and those of a local farm, enhancing the sentence's clarity. This structure effectively highlights the unique advantages of local farms, making the comparison more impactful. Option A maintains the original phrasing but lacks the contrast needed for a stronger argument. Option B, "When a store supposes it," introduces ambiguity and weakens the sentence by suggesting uncertainty rather than presenting a comparison. Option D, "A store though," is informal and does not establish a clear relationship between the two subjects, ultimately reducing the sentence's effectiveness.