HELP I HAVE A HOUR TO FINISH The Mystery of Loch Ness
By Kayden Mitchell

Of all the mysteries in the world, none has been as popular as that of the Loch Ness Monster. Perhaps the biggest mystery is whether it is convincing evidence or a simple desire to believe that keeps the myth alive.

Loch Ness is a lake in Scotland. The loch, or lake, is known for sightings of a mysterious monster. Most who see this monster, known as Nessie, describe something with a long neck and several humps above the water. Sometimes the "monster" is moving in these sightings, and sometimes it is still. Many have suggested that Nessie might be a plesiosaur (plea-see-a-soar), an aquatic dinosaur that was trapped in the loch after the last ice age.

The plesiosaur theory presents several problems. First, the plesiosaur is an air breather. Such a creature would need to surface often and, therefore, be seen more frequently. Second, it's unlikely that the same creature has lived in the loch since the last ice age. Today's creature would have to be the offspring of an original plesiosaur trapped long ago. This would suggest multiple creatures in the loch (needed to produce offspring). Again, sightings would be more frequent if this were the case.

So from a purely logical stand point, the existence of such a large and ancient creature is unlikely. But assume for a minute that it is possible. What would a plesiosaur need to live in an enclosed lake?

Tropical waters: Scientists believe plesiosaurs were warm-blooded. Like crocodiles and alligators, plesiosaurs would need to live in warm waters. The loch is very cold with temperatures averaging about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 Celsius).

Food: Like other warm-blooded creatures, plesiosaurs would need a large quantity of food. If there is a group of Nessies, then even more food would be needed. Because the loch is full of silt (underwater dust) not much light gets into the deepest areas. So the food chain, which would depend on plankton, is very weak at its base. As a result, there is probably not enough food to support such a large creature.

However, the plesiosaur theory is not the only one. Many other ideas attempt to explain the sightings and "photographs." But two separate sonar surveys of the loch have not found any evidence of a creature larger than a salmon. The last survey,1 completed in 2007 by the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), involved 600 different sonar beams. Using satellite navigation systems, the team made sure every inch of the loch was searched. The team found nothing.

With cell phones and digital cameras, one would think that sightings of Nessie would increase. This has not happened. The BBC team believes the legend of Nessie has endured because people see what they want to see. To prove this, the team used a fence post, raising it before groups of tourists. Afterwards several of the tourists asked to draw pictures of what they had seen drew pictures of a monster's head.

1"BBC 'proves' Nessie does not exist." 27 July, 2003.

1.Based on the text, what happens when tourists are shown something different from what they are expecting to see?

They will become very disappointed and not return.

They will make up strange stories of unknown monsters.

They will see what they want to see anyway.

They will take pictures anyway to show their friends.

2.Based on the text, what might make the legend of Nessie more believable? (5 points)

Better drawings of the creature

Better scientific equipment

Less attention to logic and facts

More frequent pictures and sightings

3. What is the main purpose of paragraph 3?

To explain why the Loch Ness Monster could exist

To explain why people love to visit Loch Ness

To explain the reasons that Nessie is most likely not a plesiosaur

To explain the ways scientists have studied the Loch Ness monster

4. What is the main purpose of paragraph 2?

To explain the scientific experiments

To describe Nessie

To describe people's reaction to Nessie

To explain the different scientific theories

5. Which sentence from the passage best supports the idea that Nessie is not a plesiosaur?

As a result, there is probably not enough food to support such a large creature.

Second, it's unlikely that the same creature has lived in the loch since the last ice age.

So from a purely logical standpoint, the existence of such a large and ancient creature is unlikely.

With cell phones and digital cameras, one would think that sightings of Nessie would increase.

6. What is the main purpose of the paragraph beginning "However, the plesiosaur theory is not the only one"? (5 points)

To discuss the kinds of creatures living in the loch

To dismiss other explanations in addition to the plesiosaur

To explain how the sonar survey was conducted by the BBC

To suggest there is more research to be done

7. The author includes information in a list mid way through the article. What is the author implying with information about tropical waters and food? Use evidence from the article to explain your answer.