GCSE English Language 2.0 – Dinosaurs – Paper 1
Section A – Reading
Read Text 1 below and then answer Questions 1–3.
This extract is adapted from a Victorian guidebook passage explaining how the Crystal Palace “dinosaur” restorations were constructed from fossil evidence.
Geology and Inhabitants of the Ancient World
Before entering upon a description of the restorations of the Extinct Animals, placed on the Geological Islands in the great Lake, a brief account may be premised of the principles and procedures adopted in carrying out this attempt to present a view of part of the animal creation of former periods in the earth’s history.
Those extinct animals were first selected of which the entire, or nearly entire, skeleton had been exhumed in a fossil state. To accurate drawings of these skeletons an outline of the form of the entire animal was added, according to the proportions and relations of the skin and adjacent soft parts to the superficial parts of the skeleton, as yielded by those parts in the nearest allied living animals. From such an outline of the exterior, Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins prepared at once a miniature model form in clay.
This model was rigorously tested in regard to all its proportions with those exhibited by the bones and joints of the skeleton of the fossil animal, and the required alterations and modifications were successively made, after repeated examinations and comparisons, until the result proved satisfactory.
The next step was to make a copy in clay of the proof model, of the natural size of the extinct animal: the largest known fossil bone, or part, of such animal being taken as the standard according to which the proportions of the rest of the body were calculated agreeably with those of the best preserved and most perfect skeleton. The model of the full size of the extinct animal having been thus prepared, and corrected by renewed comparisons with the original fossil remains, a mould of it was prepared, and a cast taken from this mould, in the material of which the restorations, now exposed to view, are composed.
Read Text 2 below and then answer Questions 4-6.
This extract is adapted from a late-Victorian popular science description of the carnivorous dinosaur Megalosaurus.
Extinct Monsters: A Popular Account of Some of the Larger Forms of Ancient Animal Life
The genus Megalosaurus—now rendered classic through the labours of Professors Buckland, Phillips, and Owen—may be regarded as the type of the carnivorous Dinosaurs; and it affords an excellent and instructive instance of the gradual restoration of the skeleton of a new monster from more or less fragmentary remains. The large bones of the limbs of these formidable flesh-eating monsters were hollow, and many of the vertebræ, as well as some of those of the feet, contained cavities, or were otherwise lightened in order to give the creature a greater power of rapid movement.
It is not very difficult to imagine a Megalosaur lying in wait for his prey (perhaps a slender, harmless little mammal of the ant-eater type) with his hind limbs bent under his body, so as to bring the heels to the ground, and then with one terrific bound from those long legs springing on to the prey, and holding the mammal tight in its clawed fore limbs, as a cat might hold a mouse. Then the sabre-like teeth would be brought into action by the powerful jaws, and soon the flesh and bones of the victim would be gone!
During the early part of the Mesozoic era, Dinosaurs flourished vigorously in America, developing a great variety of forms and sizes. The Triassic Sandstone of the Connecticut Valley has long been famous for its fossil footprints, especially the so-called “bird-tracks,” which are generally supposed to have been made by birds, the tracks of which they certainly appear to resemble. But a careful investigation of nearly all the specimens yet discovered has convinced Professor Marsh that these fossil impressions were not made by birds. Most of the three-toed tracks, he thinks, were made by Dinosaurs, who usually walked upon their hind feet alone, and only occasionally put to the ground their small fore limbs.
SECTION A – Reading
Read Text 1 and answer Questions 1–3.
Q1. Identify four steps in the process of building the extinct animal models. (4 marks)
Q2. In paragraphs two and three, the writer tries to evidence the rigorous process used to complete the restorations. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. Give three reasons for your opinion and use examples from paragraphs two and three. (6 marks)
Q3. How does the writer use language to interest and inform the reader? You should include:
- the writer’s use of language
- the effect on the reader.
Use examples from the whole text and relevant subject terminology. (8 marks)
Read Text 2 and answer Questions 4–6.
4a. From paragraph one, identify two features of the Megalosaurus’ skeleton. (2 marks)
4b. Read this extract.
Most of the three-toed tracks, he thinks, were made by Dinosaurs, who usually walked upon their hind feet alone, and only occasionally put to the ground their small fore limbs.
From the extract, identify two features of the creatures that Professor Marsh believes made the fossil footprints. (2 marks)
Q5. Read this extract.
It is not very difficult to imagine a Megalosaur lying in wait for his prey (perhaps a slender, harmless little mammal of the ant-eater type) with his hind limbs bent under his body, so as to bring the heels to the ground, and then with one terrific bound from those long legs springing on to the prey, and holding the mammal tight in its clawed fore limbs, as a cat might hold a mouse. Then the sabre-like teeth would be brought into action by the powerful jaws, and soon the flesh and bones of the victim would be gone!
In the extract, the writer tries to excite the reader while describing Megalosaurus as a predator. Evaluate how successfully this is achieved. Give three reasons for your opinion and use examples from the extract. (6 marks)
Q6. For this question refer to the whole of Text 2.
‘In my view, this text shows how Victorian science blended evidence with drama to shape public ideas about dinosaurs.’
Based on your evaluation of the text, how far do you agree with this opinion? Use examples from the text to support your evaluation. (12 marks)
SECTION B – Writing
Answer ONE question. You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
EITHER
*7 Write an article for a college newspaper the title ‘Do dinosaur models still matter?’. A student has started the response.
Every museum trip ends at the dinosaurs. Some say the models are out of date but I think they are conversation starters. Here’s why the plastic giants still deserve their floor space.
Continue this article using your own ideas.
*Your response will be marked for the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. (40 marks)
OR
*8 Write an speech for your college tutors with the title “Bring Back the Field Trip: Why we should visit a museum this year.” You should include:
- Your arguments for organising a visit
- Your arguments against
- Your recommendation with a practical plan
*Your response will be marked for the accurate and appropriate use of vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and grammar. (40 marks)
Sources:
Text One: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/62414/old/62414-h/62414-h.htm
Text Two: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/42584/42584-h/42584-h.htm