Lesson 3: Citing Evidence to Make Inferences

Pg.21) Which sentence from the account best supports the idea that most scientists do not find value in investigating Bigfoot artifacts?

• “Many anthropologists criticize Meldrum’s work.”

• “They feel he is trying to find an imaginary creature that exists only in folklore.”

• “Meldrum tells critics he is not saying that Bigfoot exists.”

• “He just believes there is enough evidence to justify scientific

  investigation.”

Pg. 23 #1. A student makes the following claim about the author of “Tales of Chupacabras.”

The author believes that chupacabras are imaginary even though she would like to think they exist.

Which sentence from the text best supports this claim?

• “Chupacabra means ‘goat sucker’ in Spanish.”

• “Some describe chupacabras as two-legged, lizard-like

  creatures with claws, spikes, and piercing red eyes.”

• “Why do we want these mythical beasts to be real?”

• “Scientists constantly identify new life-forms.”

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Pg. 23 #2. Which sentence from the text explains why the author thinks people want to believe in chupacabras?

• “For many in the southwestern United States and Mexico, these

  tales are more than just stories: they have been accepted as fact.”

• “Legend tells of the chupacabra, a monster that sucks the blood

  of livestock.”

• “Others insist they are hairless four-legged creatures that are

  part kangaroo, part dog, and part rat.”

• “Perhaps it is because of our natural desire to shed light on

  the unknown.”

Pg.23 #3. Explain how the examples of recent scientific discoveries support the idea that chupacabras may one day be found. Use details from the text in your explanation.

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Pg. 25 #1. What is one reason many people believe the Loch Ness monster is only a “tall tale”?

• The earliest sighting of the Loch Ness monster occurred in 565 c.e.

• The photo taken in 1934 has been proven to be a fake.

• Plesiosaurs, like the dinosaurs, lived hundreds of millions of years ago.

• Sonar beams and satellite tracking found no evidence in the loch.

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Pg. 25 #2. Which lines provide the best evidence that an animal as big as a plesiosaur could hide in Loch Ness?

• “Loch Ness covers more than 21 square miles, and only Loch Lomond is bigger. But if you look at the volume of water, Loch Ness is the biggest. And that’s because it’s deep—about 755 feet at its deepest point.” (lines 18 through 21)

• “A book written in the seventh century tells about an Irish monk who saw a giant ‘water beast’ in the River Ness in 565 c.e. No one thought much about that story until 1933. A couple was driving home along the loch late one night. They said they were forced to stop when a giant, dragon-like creature crossed the road and slid into the water.” (lines 24 through 27)

• “Later searches relied on the use of sonar. This method involves bouncing sound waves through the deep waters of the loch to detect moving objects. In 2003, the famous British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) sponsored one of the most thorough searches ever.” (lines 34 through 36)

• “There’s a word for such creatures: cryptids. It comes from a Greek word meaning ‘to hide.’ The Loch Ness monster is one of many cryptids that have captured the public imagination.”

  (lines 40 and 41)

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Pg. 26 #3. Which conclusion is best supported by the article?

• It is illogical to think that a plesiosaur could still be living in Loch Ness today.

• Someday, scientists will prove that no giant creatures live in Loch Ness.

• Some people want to believe in the Loch Ness monster and ignore scientific evidence showing it does not exist.

• People have always been fascinated by the idea of strange creatures such as Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster.

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Pg. 26 #4. Which sentence best supports the conclusion that the Loch Ness monster probably does not exist?

• “Whether the creature really exists or not has been a matter of great debate for decades.” (lines 4 and 5)

• “Some people who believe in Nessie say that she’s made her home in the region for more than a thousand years.” (lines 23 and 24)

• “Since the 1930s, dozens of serious, scientific searches have been undertaken to find the Loch Ness monster.” (lines 32 and 33)

• “Many animals whose existence we take for granted today might once have been considered cryptids.” (line 44)

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Pg. 26 #5. Why do some people still firmly believe that the Loch Ness monster is actually a plesiosaur? Use two details from the article to support your response.

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