TPO-04 - Integrated Writing Task

In both the reading passage and the audio file is discussed weather dinosaurs were endotherms or not. In the text it is said that because of some evidence we might claim that the dinosaurs could maintain body temperatures constant; however, the lecturer debunks this statement with alternative explanations of the given evidence and additional data. Below both sources will be discussed in details.

Firstly, the writer avers that because some dinosaur fossils were found in Polar Regions, the extinct animals ought to be endotherms. However, the speaker suggests that probably Polar Regions used to have warmer climate which allowed the reptiles to survive in the area. Moreover, even if temperature had declined during a part of a year, the polar dinosaurs might have migrated from the regions or merely become inactive and sleep through the cold period.

Secondly, the author writes that because a vast part of dinosaurs had legs underneath their body they ought to be endotherms. At the same time, the woman gives us another explanation of the evidence. This position of animal's legs allows supporting more weight and thus, dinosaurs could have a large size which is an evolutional advantage.

Finally, the originator of the text believes that finding Haversian canals in dinosaur fossil bones might prove his stance. The lecturer indicates that although Haversian canals may be a sign of endothermity, there have been found growth rings as well. That means that the reptiles had periodical growth. In other words, during a part of a year their bones grown rapidly and then the growth stopped completely or dramatically slowed down. if dinosaurs had been endotherms, their bones would not have had the growth rings.