Quiz about Fossils, Geologic Time Scale

Question 1

The diagrams below represent rock layers found in 2 different locations by 2 different scientists. The scientist at Location X used letters to label his rock layers, while the scientists at Location Y used Roman numerals to label her layers.

The scientists both used the same colors and patterns to represent different types of rocks. They also used the same set of black and white symbols to represent specific types of fossils in the layers. By correlating layers based on fossils and rock types, the 2 scientists have discovered that certain rock layers are present in both locations.

Which layers are the same?

Accepted Answer

Layers P, Q, R, and S are the same as layers IV, V, VI and VII.

Answer

Layers T and U are the same as layers I and II.

Answer

Layers P, Q, R, and S are the same as layers I, II, III, IV.

Answer

Layers T and U are the same as layers VI and VII.

Question 2

Which of the following correctly lists the layers of rock in order from youngest to oldest?

Accepted Answer

E, D, A, B, C

Answer

A, B, C, D, E

Answer

B, C, D, E, A

Answer

C, B, A, D, E

Question 3

Which layer is the oldest and youngest?

Accepted Answer

C and E, respectively

Answer

C and B

Answer

D and E

Answer

A and B

Question 4

Which layer is a result of an igneous intrusion?

Accepted Answer

D

Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

E

Question 5

The geologic time scale is a record of....

Accepted Answer

the history of rock layers and fossils

Answer

the history of fossils only

Answer

the history of rocks

Answer

geologist notes

Question 6

The picture is an example of...

Accepted Answer

original fossil.

Answer

trace fossil.

Answer

mineralization.

Answer

mold fossil.

Question 7

The picture is an example of .......

Accepted Answer

trace fossil.

Answer

carbonization.

Answer

original fossil.

Answer

cast.

Question 8

The layers in sedimentary rock are also called

Accepted Answer

strata

Answer

fossils

Answer

eras

Answer

epochs

Question 9

Radiometric age is often referred to as __________ age.

Accepted Answer

absolute

Answer

total

Answer

historic

Answer

geological

Question 10

Fossils are most common in which rock types?

Accepted Answer

sedimentary

Answer

igneous

Answer

metamorphic

Answer

all of these commonly contain fossils

Question 11

_____ is any living thing, plant or animal, even you!

Accepted Answer

An organism

Answer

A paleontologist

Answer

A fossil

Answer

A rock

Question 12

What happens when a group of animals become extinct?

Accepted Answer

All of its members have died.

Answer

Only a few of its members are still living.

Answer

The animals can no longer lay eggs.

Answer

All of its members move to another place.

Question 13

Some students made a model to show one of the first steps in the formation of sedimentary rock.  The students pour 2 cm of light-colored sand into a clear plastic box.  Then they add 1 cm of gravel.  Finally, they pour 2 cm of dark-colored sand on top of the gravel.  Which characteristic of sedimentary rock does this model best show?

Accepted Answer

Sedimentary rock is made of layers.

Answer

Sedimentary rock is cemented bits of rock.

Answer

Sedimentary rock is often limestone.

Answer

Sedimentary rock is common in Texas.

Question 14

Which layer formed first?

Accepted Answer

Rock Layer Z

Answer

Rock Layer W

Answer

Rock Layer X

Answer

Rock Layer Y

Question 15

Fossils give us evidence about which of the following?

Accepted Answer

plants and animals that lived long ago

Answer

how weathering and erosion break down rocks

Answer

the other planets in our solar system

Answer

the transfer of energy from one form  to another

Question 16

Finding the fossils of trees in an area that is currently a desert without much life might tell us that the area, millions of years ago -

Accepted Answer

received enough rain to support a forest

Answer

was heavily eroded by strong winds

Answer

suffered very powerful earthquakes

Answer

was destroyed by the impact of meteorites

Question 17

Why are there more animal fossils than plant fossils?

Accepted Answer

Plants have softer body parts than animals.

Answer

Animals eat plants.

Answer

Plants are smaller than animals.

Answer

There were more ancient animals than ancient plants.

Question 18

Which is an imprint fossil?

Accepted Answer

an animal track

Answer

bone

Answer

a cast

Answer

petrified wood

Question 19

If scientists found this fossil, what could they infer?

Accepted Answer

that water once covered the area

Answer

what fish are like today

Answer

that this fish lacked oxygen

Answer

what kind of animal ate this fish

Question 20

Which of these must happen first for a fossil to form?

Accepted Answer

A plant or animal is covered by sediment.

Answer

Sediments fill a mold and form a cast.

Answer

A plant or animal is eaten.

Answer

Sediments are pressed together and harden.

Question 21

What replaces the wood of a once-living tree to form petrified wood?

Accepted Answer

minerals

Answer

amber

Answer

a cast

Answer

a mold

Question 22

Why are there many fossil imprints of ferns?

Accepted Answer

Once, most plants on Earth were ferns.

Answer

Fern parts are hard like bone.

Answer

Ferns have changed little over time.

Answer

Ferns were larger than other ancient plants.

Question 23

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found

Accepted Answer

Near the bottom of the rock layers

Answer

At the top of the rock layers

Answer

In the middle of the rock layers

Answer

Somewhat near the surface

Question 24

Letter "F" is a....

Accepted Answer

fault

Answer

inclusion

Answer

intrusion

Answer

unconformity

Question 25

The rock formation labeled "P" is a(n)...

Accepted Answer

intrusion

Answer

fault

Answer

inclusion

Answer

unconformity

Question 26

What is the youngest layer in the outcrop?

Accepted Answer

A

Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 27

Which type of rock is made from lava cooling on Earth's surface?

Accepted Answer

extrusive igneous

Answer

lava rock

Answer

metamorphic

Answer

intrusive igneous

Question 28

Index fossils CAN tell us the age of a rock layer.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 29

Rock layers can be most closely correlated if they both contain the same...

Accepted Answer

Fossils

Answer

Shapes

Answer

Elements

Answer

Types of Rocks

Question 30

How old do Paleontologists believe the Earth is?

Accepted Answer

4.6 billion years old

Answer

2015 years old

Answer

3.6 billion years old

Answer

4.6 million years old

Question 31

process where scientists compare rock lays with others to determine a rock's age

Accepted Answer

relative dating

Answer

absolute dating

Question 32

On top of Mt. Everest, there are fossilized remains of sea life; this tells us that the rocks at the top of world's highest mountain

Accepted Answer

used to be below sea level

Answer

used to be above sea level

Answer

used to be on Mars

Answer

came from an asteroid

Question 33

Which type of dating method can be used on rock layers by applying the Law of Superposition?

Accepted Answer

relative dating

Answer

absolute dating

Answer

radioactive dating

Answer

radiometric dating

Question 34

In this rock layer diagram there are two unconformities, a fault at E and an intrusion at D. Which unconformity occurred first?  How do you know?

Accepted Answer

Intrusion D occurred first because the instrusion has been moved by the fault.

Answer

The fault occurred first because it has moved the intrusion D.

Answer

Intrusion D occurred first because it can be seen in all of the rock layers.

Answer

Fault E occurred first because it is a normal fault.

Question 35

An ordered arrangement of rock layers that is based on the relative ages of the rocks

Accepted Answer

Geologic Column

Answer

Superposition

Answer

Unconformity

Answer

Layered

Question 36

How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?

Accepted Answer

The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.

Answer

The fault is younger than the rocks above it.

Answer

The fault is older than the rocks above it.

Answer

The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.

Question 37

The idea that sedimentary rocks are deposited in horizontal layers unless disturbed by forces within the Earth can best be explained by which principle?

Accepted Answer

Principle of horizontality

Answer

Principle of Superposition

Answer

Principle of original lateral continuity

Question 38

A gap in the rock record is referred to as ___________.

Accepted Answer

unconformity

Answer

erosion

Answer

faulting

Answer

folding

Question 39

What can cause an unconformity between rock layers?

Accepted Answer

erosion

Answer

mixing of strata

Answer

continuous deposition

Answer

a change in fossils

Question 40

states that the geologic feature which cuts another is the younger of the two features

Accepted Answer

cross cutting relationships

Answer

law of horizontality

Answer

law of superposition

Answer

uniformitarianism

Question 41

The statement "Layer B is younger than layer E" can be determined by using which principle?

Accepted Answer

Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships

Answer

Principle of Horizontality

Answer

Principle of Inclusions

Answer

Principle of Superposition

Question 42

Folded or tilted rock comes to the surface, erodes, and new sediment is deposited.

Accepted Answer

Angular unconformity

Answer

Original Horizontality

Answer

Law of Superposition

Answer

Nonconformity

Question 43

Question 43.

Accepted Answer

Nonconformity

Answer

Disconformity

Answer

Angular unconformity

Answer

Paraconformity

Question 44

Question 44.

Accepted Answer

Disconformity

Answer

Nonconformity

Answer

Angular unconformity

Answer

Paraconformity

Question 45

Question 45.

Accepted Answer

Angular unconformity

Answer

Disconformity

Answer

Nonconformity

Answer

Paraconformity

Question 46

What is a gap in time shown in a rock sequence?

Accepted Answer

An unconformity

Answer

An isotope

Answer

principle of superposition

Answer

principle of original horizontality

Question 47

Which layer is the oldest?

Accepted Answer

C

Answer

B

Answer

D

Answer

E

Question 48

Which of the layers/events below is the youngest?

Accepted Answer

E

Answer

B

Answer

C

Answer

D

Question 49

The process by which running water, wind, or ice carry away bits of broken-up rock

Accepted Answer

erosion

Answer

weathering

Answer

sedimentation

Answer

cementation

Question 50

A break in the Earth's crust

Accepted Answer

fault

Answer

mountain

Answer

plate

Answer

fossil

Question 51

Which principle or law states that when layers of sediments are deposited, they settle in flat, horizontal layers due to gravity. Therefore if layers are NOT horizontal, whatever disturbed them must have happened AFTER they were made.

Accepted Answer

Original Horizontality

Answer

Uniformitarianism

Answer

Lateral Continuity

Answer

Superposition

Question 52

The best index fossils have which two traits?

Accepted Answer

widespread geographically, relatively short existence

Answer

widespread geographically, relatively long existence

Answer

specific place, long lifespan

Answer

specific place, short lifespan

Question 53

The age of a rock layer compared to the other rock layers around it is called

Accepted Answer

Relative Age

Answer

Absolute Age

Answer

Comparative Age

Answer

Layer Age

Question 54

What does it mean when a common index fossil can no longer be found in rock strata after a certain time in Earth's history?

Accepted Answer

it went extinct

Answer

it moved away

Answer

it evolved into something else

Fossils, Geologic Time Scale

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