Digital SAT Reading and Writing Practice Question #521

Text 1 For decades, paleontologists hypothesized that *Spinosaurus aegyptiacus* was primarily a high-speed pursuit predator. Proponents of this view cited its elongated snout and conical teeth—adaptations common in modern pursuit piscivores like gharials. According to this model, *Spinosaurus* actively chased down agile aquatic prey in the expansive river systems of Cretaceous North Africa, utilizing its powerful tail to maintain prolonged, high-velocity underwater pursuits. Text 2 Recent biomechanical analyses of *Spinosaurus* fossils have cast doubt on the pursuit predator model. While its cranial anatomy is indeed suited for catching fish, researchers noted that the dinosaur possessed exceptionally dense bones, which act as ballast, and a massive dorsal sail. Computer fluid dynamics modeling demonstrated that this massive sail would have generated immense hydrodynamic drag. Consequently, researchers concluded that *Spinosaurus* was likely a slow-swimming ambush predator that waded in the shallows, waiting to strike at passing prey. Based on the texts, how would the researchers mentioned in Text 2 most likely respond to the specific model of hunting behavior presented in Text 1?