(9) one area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures. (10) because sauropods are…

(9) one area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures. (10) because sauropods are reptiles, most early dinosaur researchers estimated sauropod growth rates based on the growth rates of modern reptiles. (11) by those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. (12) a different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones. (13) it was determined that the animals growth rates would actually have been faster than those of modern reptiles and closer to those of large-bodied mammals.\nquestion\nin context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)?\nsauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long - necked giants. their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ the fossils of sauropods, the long - necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ sauropods, long - necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.\n○ scientists studying fossils of the giant, long - necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.

(9) one area of particular interest involves the growth rates of the creatures. (10) because sauropods are reptiles, most early dinosaur researchers estimated sauropod growth rates based on the growth rates of modern reptiles. (11) by those calculations, it would have taken sauropods a century to reach their full size. (12) a different perspective developed when scientists began to more closely examine various features of sauropod bones. (13) it was determined that the animals growth rates would actually have been faster than those of modern reptiles and closer to those of large-bodied mammals.\nquestion\nin context, which of the following is the best way to revise and combine sentences 1 and 2 (reproduced below)?\nsauropods, known today as the largest dinosaurs, were long - necked giants. their fossils have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ the fossils of sauropods, the long - necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ sauropods, long - necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.\n○ scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks.\n○ scientists studying fossils of the giant, long - necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

  • Analyze each option:
    • Option 1: "The fossils of sauropods, the long - necked giants who are known today as the largest dinosaurs, have baffled scientists for decades." - The use of "who" to refer to "fossils" is incorrect (fossils are not people/animals with a biological "who" identity).
    • Option 2: "Sauropods, long - necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades." - This option correctly combines the two original sentences. It first identifies sauropods as long - necked giants, then as the largest dinosaurs, and finally mentions that their fossils have baffled scientists. The relative clause "whose fossils..." correctly modifies "dinosaurs" (sauropods).
    • Option 3: "Scientists have been baffled for decades by sauropod fossils; they are known today as the largest dinosaurs, being giants with long necks." - The semicolon usage is a bit awkward here. Also, the phrase "being giants..." is an unnecessary and less - clear construction compared to a more straightforward relative clause.
    • Option 4: "Scientists studying fossils of the giant, long - necked dinosaurs called sauropods have been baffled by the largest dinosaurs known today for decades." - This option is confusing. It implies that scientists are baffled by "the largest dinosaurs known today" (a very broad and unclear reference) rather than specifically by sauropod fossils as in the original sentences.

Answer:

Sauropods, long - necked giants, are known today as the largest dinosaurs whose fossils have baffled scientists for decades.