GRE Reading Comprehension

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Source: magoosh reading hard

That some dinosaurs could fly has long been established. That these very same species may have been able to walk--using their wings no less--has been far more controversial. However, the latest computer simulations suggest that the Pteranodon, a pterosaur with a wingspan of up to 25-feet long, while no rapid runner, was able to walk by retracting its wrists so as to walk on its palms. As to why the Pteranodon did so still remains unanswered.

One theory is that walking allowed it to forage for food on the ground. While this idea is enticing, proponents of this theory have yet to propose a reasonable answer as to what led to such a dramatic change in both physiology and locomotion. Another explanation is that flying was the evolutionary advantage conferred upon these creatures: in times of scarcity, a flying creature has access to a far greater abundance of fauna than does one limited to terrestrial movement.

Question List: 1

In the sentence, "Another explanation is that flying was the evolutionary advantage...", the author implies that

  • A most flying dinosaurs underwent similar transformations
  • B only a theory that accounts for the scarcity of resources can account for the physiological adaptations of the Pteranodon
  • C dinosaurs only underwent evolutionary change if doing so provided an obvious advantage
  • D the Pteranodon had originally only been able to walk before evolving the ability to fly
  • E the Pteranodon would be able to access sufficient food while in flight

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