General questions/prompts:
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What do you think this graph shows us?
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What does this graph make you wonder?
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Does any part of this graph surprise you?
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How would you describe the relationship between the different variables involved?
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What title would you give this graph?
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Can you think of any further questions or future investigations? How would you go about getting the data you need for answers?
Specific questions/prompts:
Image 1: Graph showing the cumulative percentage of animals extinct, by taxa, since 1500
Notice the grey line at the bottom of the graph - this represents the background level of extinction. This is the rate at which animal species have gone extinct in the past, without humans causing extinctions.
Which animal group was the first to exceed the background rate of extinction? What human activities do you think caused most extinctions to that group at that time?
Which animal group was the last to exceed the background rate of extinction? Why do you think it was the last group to reach this level?
Why do you think amphibians have experienced a higher percentage of extinctions?
Why do you think the extinction rate is increasing in all groups?
Do you think we can slow the extinction rates down?