IELTS® Academic Reading Practice 26

The answer is C. The correct answer is supported by the statement in paragraph 2: “Once the remains had been dug up and analyzed, paleontologists came to the conclusion that these creatures were known as 'polar dinosaurs', and endured long periods of dimly-lit environments for up to eight months!”. The phrase 'long periods of dimly-lit environments for up to eight months' directly supports (C): 'a majority of the year in an overcast environment.' Other options are not supported by the text or directly contradicted: nothing is said about lengthy solitude (A), most time on Antarctica (B), or lengthy periods in humid conditions (D).

Associated Text:
Once the remains had been dug up and analyzed, paleontologists came to the conclusion that these creatures were known as “polar dinosaurs”, and endured long periods of dimly-lit environments for up to eight months!

The answer is B. The passage in paragraph 3 states, “these typical winters may have been much different from what current society is familiar with. In fact, they were most likely much milder than winters today.” This indicates that the winters did not have extremely low temperatures, supporting option (B). The other options are contradicted by the statement that these winters were milder, not similar to harsh Alaskan winters (A), nor did they contain 'brutally low temperatures' (C). (D) is not supported, as the winters are described as not harsh.

Associated Text:
these typical winters may have been much different from what current society is familiar with. In fact, they were most likely much milder than winters today.

The answer is A. The answer comes directly from paragraph 4, which says, “Fossil evidence shows that the relatives of the popular Tyrannosaurus Rex would have roamed forests full of conifers, otherwise known as cone-bearing trees, which were similar to our modern day juniper or pine trees.” This means they would have been familiar with trees similar to junipers (A). No mention is made of their height (B), the discovery of relatives (C) did not rely solely on fossils proving their existence, and there is no information on them hunting solely Edmontosaurus (D).

Associated Text:
Fossil evidence shows that the relatives of the popular Tyrannosaurus Rex would have roamed forests full of conifers, otherwise known as cone-bearing trees, which were similar to our modern day juniper or pine trees.

The answer is A. Paragraph 4 says, “These dinosaurs would have most likely hunted the thirty-five foot long herbivores, Edmontosaurus, in these forests.” This implies that Edmontosaurs were hunted by at least one other type of dinosaur, supporting (A). There is no evidence in the passage supporting that Edmontosaurs were predatory (B), nor that they were unfamiliar with conifers and forests (C). (D) is not supported, as there is no statement about their diet being due to a lack of prey.

Associated Text:
These dinosaurs would have most likely hunted the thirty-five foot long herbivores, Edmontosaurus, in these forests.

The answer is D. In paragraph 5, it states, “Scientists believe that the dinosaurs that stayed in a given area may have been warm-blooded, similar to modern birds and mammals because they maintained a body temperature through metabolic processes.” Maintaining a body temperature means sustaining a static body temperature, which is (D). The other options are not supported: sunlight absorption (A) is not related to metabolism, (B) is incorrect, and though (C) is partially correct, (D) is more precise and accurate based on the text.

Associated Text:
Scientists believe that the dinosaurs that stayed in a given area may have been warm-blooded, similar to modern birds and mammals because they maintained a body temperature through metabolic processes.

The answer is B. Paragraph 5 says, “Initially, some critics posited that these polar dinosaurs were most likely cold-blooded, remaining warm by absorbing sunshine.” Thus, the theory initially was that heat was retained through reliance on the sun’s rays, which is (B). Options (A) and (C) are not supported, and (D) is the opposite of what was initially theorized.

Associated Text:
Initially, some critics posited that these polar dinosaurs were most likely cold-blooded, remaining warm by absorbing sunshine.

The answer is C. Paragraph 6 explains, “Recently, these researchers were able to compare the dinosaurs' growth rates with those of both living and extinct animals, and found that the growth rate of the polar dinosaurs matched that of mammals.” Thus, the debate on body temperature has been settled after examining rates of development in various animals, supporting (C). A and D are incorrect as the issue was not only about metabolic processes nor solely resolved by looking at fossils. B is incorrect because the confusion has been resolved.

Associated Text:
Recently, these researchers were able to compare the dinosaurs' growth rates with those of both living and extinct animals, and found that the growth rate of the polar dinosaurs matched that of mammals.

The answer is D. In paragraph 6, the passage states, “On the contrary, cold-blooded animals have shorter limbs and fewer degrees of muscle mass than warm-blooded animals.” This illustrates that warm- and cold-blooded animals differ in appendage lengths and muscle mass when compared, thus supporting (D). Options (A), (B), and (C) are contradicted or not supported by the text.

Associated Text:
On the contrary, cold-blooded animals have shorter limbs and fewer degrees of muscle mass than warm-blooded animals.