Question
Ancient Roots
Lance Carson
Ancient Roots
It existed before the United States became a nation, before Renaissance artists dazzled the world, before the Roman Empire rose and collapsed, and even before Egyptians built the Great Pyramids. So, what is "it"? A mighty fortress carved in unyielding stone? An idea passed down through untold generations? Good guesses, but no. This ancient marvel is a tree!
In 2004, a scientific exploration discovered a group of Norway spruce trees on a remote hilltop in Sweden. The scientists didn't think the trees looked very old but were astounded to learn that one of the roots has likely been growing for around 9,550 years! That would make it the oldest tree, and the oldest living thing, known anywhere on the planet.
Scientists estimated the age of the tree using a process called radiocarbon dating, which involves an in-depth chemical analysis of the wood. Although that is an unusual method for dating living trees, many experts believe the test was accurate.
How could a tree possibly live that long? According to Leif Kullman, one of the scientists who examined the tree, the spruce has a special way of staying alive. "As soon as a stem dies, a new one emerges from the same root stock, so the tree has a very long life expectancy," said Kullman.
This process, known as vegetative cloning, is a common natural occurrence in many long-lasting trees. However, it also means that only the roots of the spruce are truly ancient; the trunk may be only a few hundred years old. (Many trees in the world have older trunks. Some of these remarkable trees may be found in North America, particularly in the national forests of California.)
Research is continuing on the Norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating Swedish forest. Scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
Question
Research is continuing on the Norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating Swedish forest. Scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
What would be the BEST transition to combine these two sentences into one cohesive idea?
Responses
A converselyconversely
B howeverhowever
C regardlessregardless
D specificallyspecifically
Lance Carson
Ancient Roots
It existed before the United States became a nation, before Renaissance artists dazzled the world, before the Roman Empire rose and collapsed, and even before Egyptians built the Great Pyramids. So, what is "it"? A mighty fortress carved in unyielding stone? An idea passed down through untold generations? Good guesses, but no. This ancient marvel is a tree!
In 2004, a scientific exploration discovered a group of Norway spruce trees on a remote hilltop in Sweden. The scientists didn't think the trees looked very old but were astounded to learn that one of the roots has likely been growing for around 9,550 years! That would make it the oldest tree, and the oldest living thing, known anywhere on the planet.
Scientists estimated the age of the tree using a process called radiocarbon dating, which involves an in-depth chemical analysis of the wood. Although that is an unusual method for dating living trees, many experts believe the test was accurate.
How could a tree possibly live that long? According to Leif Kullman, one of the scientists who examined the tree, the spruce has a special way of staying alive. "As soon as a stem dies, a new one emerges from the same root stock, so the tree has a very long life expectancy," said Kullman.
This process, known as vegetative cloning, is a common natural occurrence in many long-lasting trees. However, it also means that only the roots of the spruce are truly ancient; the trunk may be only a few hundred years old. (Many trees in the world have older trunks. Some of these remarkable trees may be found in North America, particularly in the national forests of California.)
Research is continuing on the Norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating Swedish forest. Scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
Question
Research is continuing on the Norway spruce, its ancient roots, and the rest of the fascinating Swedish forest. Scientists hope these studies will reveal new insights into the climate, geological changes, and perhaps even human activities of ancient times.
What would be the BEST transition to combine these two sentences into one cohesive idea?
Responses
A converselyconversely
B howeverhowever
C regardlessregardless
D specificallyspecifically
Answers
GPT-4o mini
B howeverhowever
The transition "however" would best serve to connect the two sentences, indicating a contrast or additional information about the ongoing research and its implications related to the Norway spruce and ancient environmental insights.
The transition "however" would best serve to connect the two sentences, indicating a contrast or additional information about the ongoing research and its implications related to the Norway spruce and ancient environmental insights.