8.E.2 Earth’s History Review

Samuel was examining the fossil layers collected from outcrops of three different regions; he concluded that some of the layers contained index fossils.
Which rock layers are likely the same age?

• rock layer A and rock layer Q
• rock layer A and rock layer I
• rock layer C, rock layer H and rock layer L
• rock layer A, rock layer K and rock layer Q

The diagram below shows layers of sedimentary rock with embedded fossils.

• Fossil 4 is younger than fossil 3.
• Fossil 4 is older than fossil 1.
• Fossil 2 is older than fossil 3.
• Fossil 2 is younger than fossil 1

When a scientist compares the quantities of stable and unstable atoms in a fossil, what can they conclude about the fossil?

• The absolute age of a fossil.
• The relative age of a fossil.
• How long the organism lived.
• The ancestors of the fossil.

An archaeologist finds bones of a dodo bird.
What could help the scientist determine the approximate age of the dodo birds bones?

• The kind of plants living in the area of the bones
• Other birds living in the area of the bones
• The index fossils in the area of the bones
• The weather conditions in the area of the bones

Data from ice cores are important to the study of Earth’s geological history. Which best describes the importance of ice cores?

• The contain index fossils, which are used to date ice cores.
• They contain evidence showing changes in atmospheric composition over time.
• They follow the Law of Superposition, which gives reasons for extinctions of species,
• They show unconformities, which signal changes in deposition

Most earthquakes occur at tectonic plate boundaries. What does the occurrence of earthquakes tell scientists about the history of Earth?

• The oceans are much wider today than millions of years ago.
• Woolly mammoths became extinct about 1.8 million years ago
• Earth’s continents are continually moving.
• The climate is constantly changing.

An archaeologist finds fossils of marine organisms in a layer of rock on dry land.Which is the best conclusion for the scientist to make?

• Marine water once covered the area where the fossils have been found.
• A high tide carried the marine organisms onto dry land before they died.
• The moving of tectonic plates the fossils from the ocean floor to an area of dry land.
• The marine organisms adapted to life on dry land.