Some scientists have suggested that mammals in the Mesozoic era were not a very ______
Some scientists have suggested that mammals in the Mesozoic era were not a very ______ group, but paleontologist Zhe-Xi Luo’s research suggests that early mammals living in the shadow of dinosaurs weren’t all ground-dwelling insectivores. Fossils of various plant-eating mammals have been found in China, including species like Vilevolodon diplomylos, which Luo says could glide like a flying squirrel. Which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
- A) predatory
- B) obscure
- C) diverse
- D) localized
Correct Answer: C) diverse
Explanation
The correct choice to complete the text is C) diverse. The sentence discusses the perception of mammals in the Mesozoic era and presents the research of paleontologist Zhe-Xi Luo, who challenges that view. The missing word or phrase should convey the idea that the scientists' perception of mammals in the Mesozoic era as a group was not accurate. Diverse is the most logical and precise term to fit the context, indicating that there was a wide variety of early mammals living alongside dinosaurs, contrary to the initial suggestion. The sentence then provides an example of the diversity with the discovery of plant-eating mammals like Vilevolodon diplomylos in China.