Fossils - Topic 8 Lesson 1

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a fossil?

• A living organism found in the wild

• A preserved remain or impression of a once living organism

• A type of rock formed from lava

• A tool used by archaeologists

Open Ended

Why is the study of fossils important for understanding Earth's history?

Fill in the Blanks

Fossils are NEVER found in

or metamorphic rock.

Multiple Choice

In which type of rock are fossils most often found?

• Sedimentary rock

• Igneous rock

• Metamorphic rock

• Granite

Multiple Select

Which of the following are steps in the process of fossil formation?

• An organism dies and its body falls to the ground or sinks in water.

• Sediment covers the dead organism and forms layers.

• The organism is buried in rock and soft parts decay.

• The organism is eaten by predators.

Open Ended

How can the position of a fossil in rock layers help scientists determine the relative age of the fossil?

Multiple Choice

If fossils of marine organisms are found in a location that is now dry land, what can scientists infer about that area?

• It was once covered by ocean.

• It was always dry land.

• It was once a desert.

• It was always a forest.

Multiple Choice

What can the presence of coniferous tree fossils in a region suggest about its past climate?

• The region was once cold and relatively dry.

• The region was always warm and wet.

• The region was always a desert.

• The region was once underwater.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of fossil listed in the presentation?

• Mold Fossil

• Cast Fossil

• Trace Fossil

• Mineral Fossil

Open Ended

Explain how a mold fossil is formed and what it represents.

Multiple Select

Select all statements that correctly describe a cast fossil.

• A cast fossil is a filled-in mold fossil.

• A cast fossil forms when an organism dies.

• A cast fossil is the actual organism itself.

• A cast fossil is created when minerals fill in a mold fossil.

Fill in the Blanks

A trace fossil is a fossil of biologic activity, not a fossil of a

structure.

Fill in the Blanks

True fossils often form when an organism gets trapped in

, tar, or amber.

Fill in the Blanks

A fossil is the preserved remains of a once living

.

Open Ended

How do fossils help scientists learn about life in the past?

Multiple Choice

How does a petrified fossil form?

• By being buried in sediment and compressed over time

• By the organic matter being replaced by minerals and turning into stone

• By freezing in ice

• By drying out in the sun