Question

yanel garcia 1/2/25 2-3 period directions: read the passages and identify which text structure is being used. then, answer why the author used the text structure. the following graphic organizers are examples. each is used at least once. 1. the age of the dinosaurs dinosaurs existed about 250 million years ago to 65 million years ago. this era is broken up into three periods known as the triassic, jurassic and cretaceous periods. the triassic period lasted for 35 million years from 250 - 205 million years ago. planet earth was a very different place back then. all the continents were united to form one huge land mass known as pangaea. the jurassic period was the second phase. the continents began shifting apart. the time scale for this famous period is from 205 to 138 million years ago. the cretaceous period was the last period of the dinosaurs. it spanned a time from 138 million to about 65 million years ago. in this period the continents fully separated. however, australia and antarctica were still united. text structure: chronological why? how does it make the information easier for the reader to understand? it helps the reader by knowing how many years ago dinosaurs existed easier. the text would be messy and it would be more confusing, without the time line. 2. vicious predators the cretaceous period was filled with dangerous predators, but two of the most feared hunters were the tyrannosaurs rex and the velociraptor. the tyrannosaurs rex was one of the largest carnivores to ever walk the earth. he was 20 feet tall and weighed seven tons. his jaws could crush down with 3,000 lbs. of force, enough to smash the bones of his prey. the velociraptor was very small compared to rex. raptors only stood three feet tall and were seven feet long, weighing merely 35 pounds. but the velociraptor was fast. scientists think that raptors could run 24 miles per hour and turn on a dime. both dinosaurs used their jaws to kill prey, but the raptor had a secret weapon a retractable toe claw that he pulled out like a knife to slash at his prey. both dinosaurs had eyes on the front of their heads, which helped them track prey. if these two dinosaurs had fought, it would be difficult to say which would win; however since raptors died over ten million years before the first tyrannosaurs was born, scientists don’t believe such a fight ever occurred.

Explanation:

1. For "The Age of the Dinosaurs", the text organizes dinosaur eras (Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous) by specific time periods (250-205 mya, 205-138 mya, 138-65 mya). This chronological structure arranges events in time order, helping readers follow the sequence of when each era occurred and how Earth changed over time.
2. For "Vicious Predators", the text highlights similarities (both used jaws, front-facing eyes) and differences (size, speed, retractable claw) between Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. This compare and contrast structure clarifies their unique traits and shared features.

Answer:

1. Text Structure: Chronological

Why? It arranges dinosaur eras in time order, making the sequence of Earth’s changes and dinosaur existence easy to follow.

1. Text Structure: Compare and Contrast

Why? It shows similarities and differences between T. rex and Velociraptor, helping readers understand their unique traits clearly.