READING PASSAGE:
Adapted from: Life
Studies Online
Directions: Read the following passage carefully.
How did the dinosaurs become extinct? This is a question that has stumped
scientists ever since dinosaur fossils were first discovered. There are many theories as
to how the dinosaurs became extinct. This text presents some of the
most popular theories.
Keep in mind that there is no absolutely proven theory. No one knows for certain
exactly why and how the dinosaurs became extinct.
Probably the most popular theory right now is the Asteroid
Theory. According to this theory a large asteroid or comet collided with Earth
about 65 million years ago. Scientists think that such a large collision
would throw so much dust into the air that sunlight would not be able to shine
and plants and animals would die. The dramatic changes in climate that resulted
from this huge collision
were too much for
the dinosaurs. They were not able to survive.
Another theory that could explain how the dinosaurs became extinct is volcanic activity. A huge increase
in volcanic activity at around 65 million years ago could have pumped so
much ash into the air that it blocked out the sun killing the dinosaurs.
Some scientists believe that there was a severe ice age. Throughout Earth's
history there have been many ice ages. The last one ended about 10,000 years
ago. A very severe ice age could have changed temperatures and
frozen a lot of Earth's water. The dinosaurs would not be able live under such
conditions and that is how the dinosaurs became extinct.
It has also been suggested that disease killed off the
dinosaurs. A very deadly and contagious disease
may have circulated among the dinosaurs forcing them to become extinct.
Still yet another theory is the Earth's gradual change in climate over
a long time period. Due to this, the dinosaurs were not able to adapt
to the cooler, dryer climate.
There are probably other theories as to how the dinosaurs became extinct.
One thing is for certain. All dinosaurs that we know of are extinct. How
did all the dinosaurs become extinct? Maybe one of these theories
is the right answer. However, it is difficult to explain why all the dinosaurs
died out but many other animals survived. Perhaps one day we will know for
certain how the dinosaurs became extinct. Until then we must
speculate and continue the search for the answer to this great mystery of
nature.
WORD BANK
Directions: Study the following keywords and definitions.
believe -(v) - To
accept as true without proof.
collision -(n) -
Violent contact.
contagious -(adj) -
Transmitting disease.
extinct -(adj) - No
longer exist.
speculate -(v) - To
form a guess without facts.
circulated -(v) - To
distribute something or spread something around.
collided -(v) - To
hit or crash into something.
adapt -(v) - Change
something to make it fit.
survive -(v) - To
stay alive.
blocked -(v) - To
stop or prevent something from going somewhere.
frozen -(v) - Stop
all motion or action.
discovered -(v) - To
be the first to see or learn about and report on something.
WORKSHEET 1 (Reading Comprehension)
Directions: Read the following questions and answer each to the
best of your ability.
1. Identify a quote
from the text that you think is very important and explain why.
2. Write in 3-5
sentences summarising the article.
3. Do you think the
extinction of dinosaurs is a good or a bad thing? Please provide two reasons
for your answer.
4. What connections
can you make between the text and other texts, information, or experiences?
5. State three (3) of the causes, referring to the theories of extinction and the effects.
Cause
|
Effect
|
6. What is the tone
of this text?
A. Naive
B. Informative
C. Sentimental
D. Sympathetic
WORKSHEET 2 (Filling in the blanks)
Directions: Use the word bank to identify the word that best
completes the sentence.
believe
|
collision
|
contagious
|
extinct
|
speculate
|
circulated
|
collided
|
adapt
|
survive
|
blocked
|
frozen
|
discovered
|
1.
He had to _______________ his diet to his new country.
2.
The company had to _______________ hiring to lower expenses.
3.
Dinosaurs are _______________.
4.
After death, the heart stops beating and the blood stops
_______________.
5.
He _______________d the war.
6.
The police _______________ the road.
7.
People _______________ that the old cow was stolen by UFO's.
8.
Columbus _______________ America
9.
You should stay home from school if you have the flu because it is
_______________.
10. With a telescope, you can see where
meteors and asteroids _______________ with the moon.
11. There was a _______________ between two
cars. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
12. Even as a child, I never _______________d
in Santa Claus.
WORKSHEET 3 (Matching)
Directions: Write the letter of word that matches the definition on
the line. If it helps, feel free to also draw a line between the definition and
the matching word.
believe, collision, contagious, extinct, speculate, circulated, collided,
adapt, survive, blocked, frozen, discovered
1. _______ Change
something to make it fit.
2. _______ Stop all
motion or action.
3. _______ No longer
exist.
4. _______ To
distribute something or spread something around.
5. _______ To stay
alive.
6. _______ To stop
or prevent something from going somewhere.
7. _______ To form a
guess without facts.
8. _______ To be the
first to see or learn about and report on something.
9. _______
Transmitting disease.
10. _______ To hit
or crash into something.
11. _______ Violent
contact.
12. _______ To
accept as true without proof.
