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Dinosaur Discovery Worksheet

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Dinosaur Discovery Worksheet

Read the evidence cards and examine the fossil-trace diagram. Use evidence—not guesses—to solve the questions. Write answers in complete sentences where asked.

Evidence cards: a diverse group

Dinosaurs lived during the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The first dinosaurs appeared about 230 million years ago; non-avian dinosaurs died out about 66 million years ago. Birds are living dinosaurs, descended from theropod dinosaurs. Fossils show that dinosaurs varied greatly in size, diet and body coverings. Plant-eating sauropods such as Brachiosaurus had long necks; Triceratops had three facial horns and a bony frill; small theropods such as some species of Sinosauropteryx had feathers. Tyrannosaurus rex was a large meat-eater. Fossils—including bones, teeth, footprints and even impressions of skin or feathers—are clues to ancient life. Scientists compare these clues with one another and with living animals, but some details remain uncertain.

Trace A Three-toed footprints Stride length: 1.8 m No bones found nearby

Trace B Broad, rounded footprints Stride length: 3.2 m Plant fragments nearby

Trace C Small feather impressions Found beside a small skeleton

1.Choose the best conclusion from the evidence cards: which statement is supported? A. Every dinosaur was enormous. B. Dinosaur species differed in size and features. C. All dinosaurs ate meat.

2.About how many million years passed between the first dinosaurs appearing (about 230 million years ago) and non-avian dinosaurs dying out (about 66 million years ago)? Show the subtraction.

3.True or false? Finding no bones beside Trace A proves that the footprints were not made by a dinosaur. Explain why.

4.Match each science word to its meaning: 1. herbivore 2. fossil 3. theropod. Meanings: A. preserved evidence of past life B. a group of mostly two-legged dinosaurs that includes birds C. an animal that eats plants.

1. herbivore
2. fossil
3. theropod

B. a group of mostly two-legged dinosaurs that includes birds
C. an animal that eats plants
A. preserved evidence of past life

5.Which trace gives the clearest evidence that a dinosaur with feathers was present? State the trace and the clue.

6.Trace B has a longer stride than Trace A. Give one reasonable explanation and one reason the team should avoid claiming this proves Trace B's dinosaur was a particular species.

7.A student says, “All dinosaurs were meat-eaters.” Use two details from the evidence cards to correct this claim.

8.Which statement about birds is scientifically accurate? A. Birds are not related to dinosaurs. B. Birds are living dinosaurs descended from theropods. C. All dinosaurs became extinct, including birds.

9.Scientists find a tooth fossil but no complete skeleton. Explain one thing the tooth might help them investigate and one limitation of using only that tooth.

10.Write a two-sentence museum caption for Trace C. Include the evidence and a cautious conclusion about what it suggests.