Question

Why does the author ask the reader to "assume for a minute that it is possible" in paragraph 3?

She does not believe the evidence is very convincing on its own.

She wants to give specific evidence for why the theory is flawed.

She wants to provide evidence that does not support her point.

She would like there to be more evidence than there is.

Answer 1

(MC)The Mystery of Loch Ness
By Kayden Mitchell

Of all the mysteries in the world, none has been as popular as that of the Loch Ness Monster. Perhaps the biggest mystery is whether it is convincing evidence or a simple desire to believe that keeps the myth alive.

Loch Ness is a lake in Scotland. The loch, or lake, is known for sightings of a mysterious monster. Most who see this monster, known as Nessie, describe something with a long neck and several humps above the water. Sometimes the "monster" is moving in these sightings, and sometimes it is still. Many have suggested that Nessie might be a plesiosaur (plea-see-a-soar), an aquatic dinosaur that was trapped in the loch after the last ice age.

The plesiosaur theory presents several problems. First, the plesiosaur is an air breather. Such a creature would need to surface often and, therefore, be seen more frequently. Second, it's unlikely that the same creature has lived in the loch since the last ice age. Today's creature would have to be the offspring of an original plesiosaur trapped long ago. This would suggest multiple creatures in the loch (needed to produce offspring). Again, sightings would be more frequent if this were the case.

So from a purely logical stand point, the existence of such a large and ancient creature is unlikely. But assume for a minute that it is possible. What would a plesiosaur need to live in an enclosed lake?

Tropical waters: Scientists believe plesiosaurs were warm-blooded. Like crocodiles and alligators, plesiosaurs would need to live in warm waters. The loch is very cold with temperatures averaging about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius).
Food: Like other warm-blooded creatures, plesiosaurs would need a large quantity of food. If there is a group of Nessies, then even more food would be needed. Because the loch is full of silt (underwater dust) not much light gets into the deepest areas. So the food chain, which would depend on plankton, is very weak at its base. As a result, there is probably not enough food to support such a large creature.

However, the plesiosaur theory is not the only one. Many other ideas attempt to explain the sightings and "photographs." But two separate sonar surveys of the loch have not found any evidence of a creature larger than a salmon. The last survey1, completed in 2007 by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), involved 600 different sonar beams. Using satellite navigation systems, the team made sure every inch of the loch was searched. The team found nothing.

With cell phones and digital cameras, one would think that sightings of Nessie would increase. This has not happened. The BBC team believes the legend of Nessie has endured because people see what they want to see. To prove this, the team used a fence post, raising it before groups of tourists. Afterwards several of the tourists asked to draw pictures of what they had seen drew pictures of a monster's head.

1"BBC 'proves' Nessie does not exist." 27 July, 2003.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3096839.stm

Answer 2

She wants to give specific evidence for why the theory is flawed.

I also answered the other one. - Bree :)

Answer 3

i only have this one and one more and then i will be done

Answer 4

okay :)

Answer 5

The author includes information in a list mid-way through the article. What is the author implying with information about tropical waters and food? Use evidence from the article to explain your answer.

Answer 6

I just don't know about this one ,sorry i'll keep thinking about it though.....

Answer 7

its okay it is kinda hard

Answer 8

you can always message me if you need help- Bree :)

Answer 9

Based on the text, what is the main result of scientists having studied the plesiosaur?

The people who have Nessie sightings can be proven dishonest.

The sightings have decreased rapidly since the studies were released.

We can conclusively rule out the existence of modern plesiosaurs.

We know enough to rule out a plesiosaur as a likely Nessie creature.

Answer 10

@Bookworm14

Answer 11

okay it definatly this one We can conclusively rule out the existence of modern plesiosaurs. @312856MLP

Answer 12

thank you thank you

Answer 13

can you check and see if they look right before i turn it in