17. In context, which of the following sentences would be best to insert between sentences 11 and 12 (reproduced below)? By those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. A different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones.
Answer: B
This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years.
The sentence indicates that the long time frame estimated for sauropods to reach full size was an unlikely conclusion, which aligns with the context of reevaluating previous assumptions about these dinosaurs. This insertion effectively highlights the transition to a new understanding of sauropod growth rates.
A) Like all dinosaurs, sauropods hatched from eggs.
This statement, while true, does not relate to the discussion of growth rates or the implausibility of the century-long growth estimate. It does not add to the argument about the previous misconceptions regarding sauropods’ development.
B) This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years.
This option is the best choice as it directly addresses the skepticism surrounding the century-long growth estimate. It sets the stage for the subsequent shift in perspective regarding the growth rates of sauropods, making it a logical transition between the two sentences.
C) For decades, sauropods were considered emblematic of the phenomenon of extinction.
While this statement touches on the broader topic of sauropod extinction, it does not specifically connect to the discussion of their growth rates or the previously held beliefs about their development. It diverges from the central theme of the surrounding sentences.
D) Sauropod fossils continue to be discovered in regions spread across the globe.
This option introduces new information about fossil findings but does not relate to the growth rates or the misconceptions held about how long it took for sauropods to reach their full size. It does not effectively bridge the two provided sentences.
Conclusion
The selected sentence, "This rather implausible conclusion nonetheless persisted for years," is the most relevant insertion as it directly addresses the former belief regarding sauropod growth rates. Other options either stray from the topic or introduce unrelated information, failing to connect the ideas effectively. Thus, option B clearly stands out as the most appropriate choice.