Ata-Tiny Skeleton (NEWSELA)

One MAIN idea of the article is that Ata, a tiny skeleton found in the Atacama Desert, is human. What is another MAIN idea of the article?

• Steven Greer learned about Ata at a UFO meeting in Spain.

• Ata was a female who had many bone mutations.

• Scientists compared Ata's traits to a chimpanzee.

• Changes in genes affect how our bodies grow

Which sentence from the article BEST supports the article's CENTRAL idea?

• Ata is the nickname given to the skeleton found in the Atacama Desert.

• She is so small that her skeleton fit in the palm of his hand, he said.

• Comparing Ata's traits to that of a chimpanzee and monkey ruled out Ata being non-human.

• Nolan said he does not blame the owner for wanting to study Ata

Which sentence from the article would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

• Although Ata is different, she is human according to her genes, or biological traits.

• When Greer held Ata, he marveled at her size, as she is so small that her skeleton fit in the palm of his hand, he said

• The body was positioned with its arms to the side as if for a funeral.

• After all, it took a team of 10 scientists five years to figure out what she is.

What effect did DNA mutations have on Ata?

• She looked more like a monkey or a chimp than a human being.

• Her bones did not grow right so she could not survive.

• She never grew beyond the size of a 6-year-old.

• Her bones produced too much collagen.

What is MOST likely the reason the author included the information about NASA's testing ground in the Atacama Desert?

• to highlight the dry climate that preserved Ata's skeleton

• to show why the site where Ata was found is restricted

• to give the reader a sense of the area's remoteness

• to suggest a connection to UFOs and aliens

Which answer choice BEST characterizes Steven Greer's reaction to Ata?

• He thought it was likely that Ata was of non-human origin.

• He thought Ata's DNA was likely related to a chimpanzee.

• He thought it was possible that Ata could be of alien origin.

• He thought that Ata was an ancient, alien mummy.