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?

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.

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