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Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
2 min
73 words
- Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that lived long ago.
- They used large wings to move through air.
- Scientists studied pterosaur skulls and their brain cavities.
- Researchers looked for parts linked to better vision.
- A close tree relative could not fly like pterosaurs.
- That relative already had parts for better vision.
- Pterosaurs also had larger parts for seeing well.
- Scientists think flight appeared quickly when pterosaurs began.
- Pterosaurs had brains similar to non-flying dinosaurs.
Difficult words
- pterosaur — An animal that flew a long time agoPterosaurs
- reptile — A cold-blooded animal, like a lizardreptiles
- skull — The bone structure that holds the brainskulls
- cavity — An empty space inside a bone or bodycavities
- vision — The ability to see with the eyes
- relative — An animal in the same family or group
- flight — The act of moving through the air
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would you like to fly like a pterosaur?
- Do you think good vision is important for flying animals?
- Have you seen a flying animal in nature?
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