Année scolaire 2020 - 2021

Pavillon 2
Nom : ………………………………….. 2'eme Examen
Reading Comprehension
EB8 : ….. N° : ….. Durée : 30 minutes

Dinosaurs Migrated, Tooth Fossils Confirm

1. Gigantic plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods took yearly jaunts to high ground to escape drought, new
research suggests. By analyzing fossilized dinosaur teeth, researchers determined that the dinosaurs migrated
hundreds of miles from their home to find food and water during dry spells. This is the first direct evidence
supporting the theory that certain types of dinosaurs migrated to avoid seasonal food slumps.

2. "Sauropods in western North America were living in an environment that was seasonally dry, that has a
pronounced wet season and a pronounced dry season," said study researcher Henry Fricke of Colorado
College. "If you have an animal that needs to eat a lot and drink a lot, it's going to have to move to access
vegetation and to get water."Every five to six months throughout a dinosaur's life, they would lose their teeth
and grow new ones . The new growth contained elements that the dinosaurs took in from their food and
water, and the elements differed by location.

3. The researchers focused on oxygen-18 isotopes (heavy atoms of the common element oxygen that have
two extra, non-charged particles called neutrons) in the dinosaur teeth. The team found that the water and
plants in lower-altitude regions of North America contained relatively high levels of oxygen-18. It was already
known that highlands generally have lower levels of oxygen-18 in relation to lighter oxygen isotopes.Next, the
scientists measured the oxygen isotopes in sauropod (specifically the genus Camarasaurus) teeth found in the
low-altitude Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Thermopolis fossil bed in Wyoming. These formations
were laid down between about 150 million and 100 million years ago.
* jaunts: trips / journeys
* fossilized: preserved as fossils or hard remains
* dry spells: dry weather
* food slumps: lack of food
* basin: an enclosed water area
A. Answer the following questions in complete sentences.

1. Explain the title of the passage. (2 pts.)

It is proved and confirmed from the dinosaurs' tooth fossils or hard remains that these animals once
migrated from one place to another .

2. Who are the main characters in the passage?. (2 pts.)

Gigantic plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods.

3. What did researchers determine when they analyzed fossilized dinosaur teeth? (2 pts.)
By analyzing fossilized dinosaur, researchers determined that the dinosaurs migrated hundreds of
miles from their home to find food and water during dry spells

4. Why was Henry Fricke sure that sauropods which lived in western North America had to move to
another place? (2 pts.)
Henry Fricke was sure that sauropods which lived in Western North America had to move to another
place because they were living in an environment that was seasonally dry, that has a pronounced
wet season and a pronounced dry season.
B. Below are two vocabulary words that are taken from the passage. Use each in a meaningful sentence.
(2 pts.)

1 - migrated

Students' own answers

2- drought

Students' own answers

Good luck & stay safe