Question 1 of 21
Bones found in South America reveal a bizarre new dinosaur Based on an ancestry that links it to Tyrannosaurus rock, this reptile should have been a meat eater. Instead, it preferred plants. Researchers described the new species in Nature. its genus name – Chilesaurus – reflects that it was found in what's now Chile. The team that discovered the fossils gave it a species name of diegosuarezi to honor Diego Suarez. While just 7 years old, Diego found the first dinosaur bones in the same general area of Chile, It's a place know as to Toqur Fomation C. diegosuarezi roamed South America around 150 million years ago. It measured about 3 meters (roughly 10 feet) from head to tail. Its sturdy back legs, thin body, and short, stout arms made it look a bit like T. rex. But it also had a long neck, small head, and a mouth full of leaf-shaped teeth. These features gave it a more Brontosaurus-like appearance. And like Brontosaurus, it would have eaten plants, making it an herbivore
When the author writes that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi “should have been a meat-eater,†she most likely means that the species:
- A. would have been healthier if it had eaten meat
- B. would have grown even larger if it had eaten meat
- C. had the head, neck, and teeth of a meat-eater
- D. had body features similar to those of its meat-eating relative
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The statement implies that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi possesses physical characteristics akin to those of carnivorous dinosaurs. Option D accurately reflects this by highlighting that its body features resemble those of its meat-eating relatives, suggesting an evolutionary expectation based on morphology. Option A incorrectly assumes a health benefit from a meat-based diet, which is not the focus of the author's observation. Option B speculates on size without evidence, as diet does not directly correlate with growth potential in this context. Option C, while partially true about its head and teeth, overlooks the broader comparison to body features, making D the most comprehensive choice.
The statement implies that Chilesaurus diegosuarezi possesses physical characteristics akin to those of carnivorous dinosaurs. Option D accurately reflects this by highlighting that its body features resemble those of its meat-eating relatives, suggesting an evolutionary expectation based on morphology. Option A incorrectly assumes a health benefit from a meat-based diet, which is not the focus of the author's observation. Option B speculates on size without evidence, as diet does not directly correlate with growth potential in this context. Option C, while partially true about its head and teeth, overlooks the broader comparison to body features, making D the most comprehensive choice.