During the early nineteenth century, Mary Anning patrolled the crumbling cliffs of Lyme Regis, England, uncovering fossils that would reshape scientific understanding of prehistoric life. Despite her lack of formal education and the societal barriers she faced as a working-class woman, Anning’s sharp observations led to the discovery of the first complete ichthyosaur skeleton and a remarkable plesiosaur. Her findings provided crucial evidence for the controversial theory of extinction, challenging the prevailing belief that the natural world had remained unchanged since creation. [1]
The writer wants to end the paragraph with a sentence that emphasizes the lasting impact of Anning's discoveries on the field of science. Given that all the options are true, which choice best accomplishes this goal at the marker [1]?
- AShe sold many of these fossils to wealthy collectors, who often took credit for her work.
- Through these groundbreaking discoveries, she helped lay the groundwork for modern paleontology.Answer
- CUltimately, her work revolutionized how scientists viewed the history of Earth, she proved that ancient reptiles once ruled the prehistoric seas.
- DTherefore, she continues to patrol the shoreline of Lyme Regis, where she discovered many other important fossils.