▶ Your Answer :
In the reading passage, there is ample support for the author's claim that the neck posture of Sauropods was horizontal position. However, the professor in the lecture gives several reasons as a rebuttal to the author's point. The reasons are as follow. To begin with, the lecturer contends that it is doubtful that the unusual position of tail was the reason of its horizontal neck position. This is because its tail was not heavy enough to balance the neck position and it was very slender. Also, the bone of tail was hollow. Therefore, it did not seem to need balance between tail and neck. This casts doubt on the reading passage's claim that the tail's position made its neck become horizontal. In addition, the lecturer points out that it is questionable that the diet of Sauropods contributed to its neck posture. There was no sufficient marine prey to meet its dietary. Thus, it must eat variety of plants. This led to Sauropods to develop upright neck posture, and it was convenient to feed on leaves in the top of the trees. This counters the reading passage's assertion that the neck's position was horizontal because it had to extend its neck to reach the low-lying plants. Lastly, the lecturer suggests that its muscles were capable of holding the neck. Although its neck was relatively weak, the neck muscles had strong shoulder muscles connecting to the neck. It could raise its neck vertically since its shoulder muscles were powerful. This refutes the reading passage's suggestion that the neck muscles were not able to endure the neck's long length and heavy weight. |