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Question 5

Use the information from Questions 2–4 to complete the following CER (Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning) for the mystery fossil.

(3 points)
Claim: The mystery fossil is most likely the (fossil you choose in Question 4).

Evidence:

From Question 2

Options Zuniceratops Chasmosaurus Protoceratops Centrosaurus

The mystery fossil cannot be the

because it was carbon dated to 93.9 MYA–89.8 MYA, and this organism hadn’t developed yet.

From Question 3

The mystery fossil cannot be the

because the mystery fossil is found with a Velociraptor, which only existed 71–75 MYA, and this organism was extinct by then.

From Question 4

The mystery fossil cannot be the

because the nose horn, jaw bone, and the frill (a fan-shaped structure at the back of the skull) are too different between the fossil images.

Reasoning: These pieces of evidence show that the mystery fossil’s age and physical features match those of the (fossil chosen in Question 4), supporting the conclusion that this organism is the closest match.

1 answer

Claim: The mystery fossil is most likely the Zuniceratops.

Evidence:

From Question 2

The mystery fossil cannot be the Protoceratops because it was carbon dated to 93.9 MYA–89.8 MYA, and this organism hadn’t developed yet.

From Question 3

The mystery fossil cannot be the Chasmosaurus because the mystery fossil is found with a Velociraptor, which only existed 71–75 MYA, and this organism was extinct by then.

From Question 4

The mystery fossil cannot be the Centrosaurus because the nose horn, jaw bone, and the frill (a fan-shaped structure at the back of the skull) are too different between the fossil images.

Reasoning: These pieces of evidence show that the mystery fossil’s age and physical features match those of the Zuniceratops, supporting the conclusion that this organism is the closest match.