P4 ENGLISH

Comprehension
Answering questions based on an explanation text

Read the explanation text carefully and answer the questions that follow.

How do scientists put dinosaur bones together?

Over the years, enough dinosaur bones have been unearthed for scientists to put together a large
number of different dinosaurs. Since the 1800s, dinosaur bones have been found in numerous places like
Canada, China, Africa and America.
Scientists have to travel long distances to the excavation sites. Sometimes, the ground is not suitable
for vehicles and they have to lug their tools on foot across long distances under the scorching sun. Scientists
head for rocky areas and study the types of rocks there. Once they have identified how old the rocks are,
they will search in the area where there might sometimes be bones sticking out due to erosion.
The excavation process is a difficult and tedious one. When the scientists find the excavation site, they
begin digging. The first few metres are usually dug more vigorously and forcefully, sometimes even with
bulldozers. However, as the scientists reach further down, they have to be more careful about how they dig
and they might use tools like hammers and chisels. Since the bones might break, toothbrushes might even
be used to remove the sediment. The scientists also use their bare hands especially in crevices that are hard
to reach or when the bones are especially fragile.
After the bones arrive at the laboratory, they will be cleaned. The scientists will then study the bones.
The structure of certain types of bones will tell the scientists if the dinosaurs they belonged to were
carnivorous or herbivorous, tall or short or even if they were intelligent creatures. If whole bones are
found, it will be easier for the scientists to put them together to form the dinosaur skeleton. How the bones
are laid out is often based on the skeletal structure of birds as dinosaurs and birds are considered to have a
lot in common. However, often, the bones are small and sometimes cracked. Scientists have to repair the
cracks and this process might even take years to complete.
Putting together information about dinosaurs involves many steps. Many dinosaur bones have already
been found and more are still being found today.

1 When were dinosaur bones first unearthed?

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Comprehension
Answering questions based on an explanation text

2 Why is it difficult to get to the excavation sites?

3 What objects are used as scientists reach deeper into the ground?

4 Which word has the same meaning as ‘able to break easily’?

5 How do scientists decide what type of food the dinosaurs ate?

6 What other types of creatures are similar to dinosaurs?

word is ‘fragile’.  5. They examine the bones that they have uncovered.  6. Birds are similar to dinosaurs.
Answers:  1. They were first unearthed in the 1800s.  2. Scientists have to lug heavy tools across long distances on foot.  3. They use hammers, chisels and toothbrushes.  4. The

Taken from SCORE WORKBOOK 4

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P4 ENGLISH

Grammar
Connectors of time

Rewrite the sentences using the given words.

1 Scientists clean the fossils. Then they put them together.

before

2 An American paleontologist discovered a huge fossil. He was digging in Colorado.

While ,

3 He carried the fossils carefully. He walked towards the lorry.

as

the fossils carefully as he walked towards the lorry.

Answers:  1. Scientists clean the fossils before they put them together.  2. While an American paleontologist was digging in Colorado, he discovered a huge fossil.  3. He carried

Taken from SCORE WORKBOOK 4

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P4 ENGLISH

Grammar
Connectors of time

Fill in each blank with ‘as’, ‘when’, ‘while’, ‘before’ or ‘since’.

Cheryl and her brother, Tim, could hardly wait to visit the museum. They had not been there

1 the last school holidays. They loved to see the exhibits there.

2 they entered the museum, their parents bought the entrance tickets. Cheryl and

Tim were reading the brochures on the new exhibits 3 their parents were buying the

tickets. 4 they had the tickets, they rushed towards the turnstiles at the entrance.

Cheryl and Tim headed straight for the dinosaur exhibit. 5 they were walking,

they chatted excitedly about their favourite dinosaurs.

Answers:  1. since  2. Before  3. while  4. When  5. As

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P4 ENGLISH

Grammar
Connectors that show contrast

Rewrite the sentences using the given words.

1 Only a few dinosaur bones were found. Scientists were able to obtain a lot of information about the
dinosaur.

, yet

2 They found nothing. They had been digging for hours.

, however,

3 The speech about dinosaurs was long. The students did not feel bored at all.
, yet

found nothing.  3. The speech about dinosaurs was long, yet the students did not feel bored at all.
Answers:  1. Only a few dinosaur bones were found, yet scientists were able to obtain a lot of information about the dinosaur.  2. They had been digging for hours, however, they

Taken from SCORE WORKBOOK 4

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