Paragraph headings: Woolly Mammoth

Choose the best heading for paragraphs A, B and C below.

List of headings:

1. A creature of legend
2. The human impact on mammoths
3. Explaining the appearance of mammoth remains
4. Woolly mammoths in ancient art
5. Woolly mammoth habitats
6. How we know so much about the woolly mammoth

A) The woolly mammoth is an extinct species of mammoth that lived during the Pleistocene until its extinction in the early Holocene epoch. It was one of the last in a line of mammoth species, and its closest living relative is the Asian elephant. The appearance and behaviour of woolly mammoths are among the best studied of any prehistoric animal because of the discovery of frozen carcasses in Siberia and Alaska, as well as skeletons, teeth, stomach contents, dung, and depiction in prehistoric cave paintings.

B) Mammoth remains had long been known in Asia before they became known to Europeans in the 17th century. The origin of these remains was long a matter of debate, and often explained as being remains of legendary creatures. The mammoth was identified as an extinct species of elephant by Georges Cuvier in 1796.

C) The woolly mammoth coexisted with early humans, who used its bones and tusks for making art, tools, and dwellings, and the species was also hunted for food. It disappeared from its mainland range around 10,000 years ago, most likely through climate change and consequent shrinkage of its habitat, hunting by humans, or a combination of the two.

Key vocabulary

Paragraph A
how we know so much → because of the discovery of frozen carcasses and cave paintings

Paragraph B
explaining the appearance of mammoth remains → the origin of these remains was a matter of debate, and often explained as

Paragraph C
the human impact on mammoths → it disappeared through hunting by humans