How a prehistoric predator took to the skies
Read How a prehistoric predator took to the skies and check the IELTS Reading answers. Pterosaurs existed from the Triassic period, 220 million years ago, to the end of the Cretaceous period, 65 million years ago, when South America pulled away from Africa and the South Atlantic was formed. They ar…
Passage preview
Pterosaurs existed from the Triassic period, 220 million years ago, to the end of the Cretaceous period, 65 million years ago, when South America pulled away from Africa and the South Atlantic was formed. They are among the least understood of all the extinct reptiles that once spent their lives in the skies while the dinosaurs dominated the land. Pterosaurs had no feathers, but at least part of their bodies was covered in hair, not unlike bats. Some believe this is an indication they were warm-blooded. Researchers also debate whether pterosaurs travelled on the ground by walking on their hind legs, like birds, or by using all fours, relying on their threetoed front feet as well as their four-to-led rear feet.
Vocabulary from this passage
12 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- adept adjective
Very skilled or proficient at something; possessing expert knowledge or ability in a specific area.
The software engineer is particularly adept at identifying and fixing complex bugs in the system.
- agile adjective
Able to move quickly and easily; having a nimble and flexible body or mind.
The agile mountain goat navigated the steep and rocky terrain with impressive speed and grace.
- airborne adjective
Transported by air; describing an object or organism that is currently flying or in the air.
The seeds of the dandelion are designed to become airborne with even the slightest breeze.
- amphibious adjective
Relating to, living in, or suited for both land and water; capable of operating in both environments.
The military deployed amphibious vehicles to transport troops from the ships to the coastal beach.
- high-lift capability noun
The technical ability of an aircraft or wing to generate significant upward force at low speeds.
Engineers improved the aircraft's high-lift capability to allow for safer takeoffs from shorter runways.
- ineffectual adjective
Not producing any or the desired effect; lacking the ability or qualities to be successful.
The old security system proved ineffectual against the sophisticated tactics used by modern cybercriminals.
- instrumental adjective
Serving as a crucial means, agent, or tool in achieving a particular aim or result.
The diplomat played an instrumental role in securing the international peace treaty last year.
- locomotion noun
The ability to move or the act of moving from one place to another.
Scientists studied the locomotion of robotic insects to improve navigation in difficult terrains.
- membrane noun
A thin pliable sheet of material forming a barrier or lining in an organism.
The delicate membrane of the wing allows the bat to maneuver through tight spaces with precision.
- minimum flight speed noun
The lowest velocity at which an aircraft or flying animal can maintain level flight without stalling.
A low minimum flight speed is essential for birds that hunt small prey on the ground.
- skeletal structure noun
The internal framework of bones or cartilage that supports the body of a vertebrate.
Archaeologists meticulously reconstructed the skeletal structure of the dinosaur from fragmented fossil remains.
- vertebrate noun
An animal of a large group distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column.
The evolutionary history of vertebrates shows a complex transition from aquatic to terrestrial life forms.
Answers with explanations
- 27. D
The summary needs the classification of pterosaurs. The first paragraph explicitly describes them as **extinct reptiles that once spent their lives in the skies**, making option D (reptiles) the correct match.
- 28. L
The blank requires a feature indicating **warm blood**. The text states that their bodies were **covered in hair**, and that **Some believe this is an indication they were warm-blooded**, matching option L (hair).
- 29. F
The text contrasts using all four feet with another method. It mentions scientists debate if they travelled **by walking on their hind legs, like birds, or by using all fours**, meaning option F (hind legs) is the correct answer.
- 30. J
The blank asks about a physical property making flight mysterious. The passage repeatedly questions how such a **heavy creature** could take off, indicating that its massive **weight** (option J) was the main puzzle for scientists.
- 31. I
The summary refers to a lack of something in their bones. The text describes the wings being supported by **fine, hollow bones**, implying they lacked solid mass or **strength** (option I) to carry such a heavy creature.
- 32. B
The text specifies the diet of the **anhanguera**. It explicitly introduces this creature as a **fisheating sub-species of pterosaur**, confirming that it survived by eating **fish** (option B).
- 33. YES
The statement claims finding clear skeletal fossils is **rare**. The passage confirms this, quoting Wilkinson that the **probability of finding three-dimensional pterosaur fossils anywhere is slim** because their bones are **usually crushed to dust**. Answer: YES.
- 34. NO
The statement claims the model was built to prove they flew **long distances**. The text contradicts this; Wilkinson built it specifically to test **how they managed to launch themselves** (take off), not to measure flight distance. Answer: NO.
- 35. YES
The statement links the **pteroid** to achieving large **wing size**. The passage directly supports this, stating the forward-facing pteroid created a high-lift capability that **may have been instrumental in the evolution of large size by the pterosaurs**. Answer: YES.
- 36. NOT GIVEN
The passage mentions the model **is stabilised by its head**, which causes spinning, so they've been **flying without the head so far**. However, it never mentions whether Wilkinson made **several unsuccessful replicas** of the head itself. Answer: NOT GIVEN.
- 37. D
The question asks for the **main problem** Wilkinson faced in the third paragraph. The text explicitly identifies the **most pressing question** as figuring out **how did such heavy animals manage to launch themselves into the sky**, which perfectly matches option D.
- 38. A
The text describes a revelation about the **pteroid**. While previously thought to point toward the shoulder, Wilkinson found it **possibly faced the opposite way**. This unexpected orientation matches option A (it was in an unexpected position).
- 39. B
The question asks for the **main problem** with the robot. The text explicitly states that the **most problematic bit** is that the model is stabilised by its head and **can start spinning around**, so it cannot be controlled properly when the head is attached. This matches option B.
- 40. C
In the preceding sentence, Wilkinson mentions his plans to build **smaller, flapping pterosaurs** rather than a giant T-rex or quarter-ton pterosaur. The writer finds this **reassuring** and hopes he is "content to leave **it** at that," referring to his ambitious **desire to build models**. This points to option C.