TPO-47 - Integrated Writing Task Pterosaurs were an ancient group of winged reptiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs. Many pterosaurs were very large, some as large as a giraffe and with a wingspan of over 12 meters. Paleontologists have long wondered

The reading and the lecture give information about an ancient group of winged reptiles called Pterosaurs. While the reading provides three suggestions to support that pterosaurs were unable to fly, the lecture refutes all the suggestions provided in the reading material.

First, the professor explains that Pterosaurs were able to fly because they have some anatomy features that were similar to warm-blooded reptiles. He explains that scientists discover fossils that were covered with hair or fur that could give a clue that pterosaurs were also warm-blooded reptiles with a fast metabolism that give them the ability to produce energy to fly. Thus, this contradicts with what the reading indicates that they were cold-blooded reptiles with slow metabolism that prevent them from flying.

Second, contrary to the belief in the reading passage that pterosaurs large size and heavy weight restrict them from flying, the professor says that despite their large size, their weight was much lighter because their bone were hollow. With a less body weight, pterosaurs are more likely able to fly.

Finally, the author indicates that their legs were too small to support run and take off technique that most of the birds use to fly. In contrast, the professor emphasizes that the ability to use their four legs to walk and push, give the pterosaurs the privilege to run fast and jump high to launch themselves into the air.

Overall, it seems that the lecture showed that there are some discrepancies in the points illustrated in the reading passage.