The Geologic Time Scale

The entire history of the Earth can be divided into the Precambrian (ancient) Eon and the Phanerozoic (current) Eon. Which of the following correctly represents the percent of Earth's history occupied by each?

• 88% Precambrian, 12% Phanerozoic

• 12% Precambrian, 88% Phanerozoic

• 81% Precambrian, 19% Phanerozoic

• 19% Precambrian, 81% Phanerozoic

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following events occurred in the first 30 million years of the Earth life?

• rapid separation of internal compositional layers of mantle and core

• development of land animals

• formation of an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere

• human accentuation of climate change

Which of the following best describes Earth’s very first atmosphere?

• helium and hydrogen gases left over from the formation of the planet

• carbon dioxide and water vapor from volcanic outgassing

• a 78%-21% nitrogen and oxygen gas mixture

• methane and ammonia gases from Earth's interior

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

All life on Earth is:

• cellular.

• bacterial.

• aerobic.

• photosynthetic.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

Earth’s most primitive life forms are represented by:

• prokaryotic cells.

• plants.

• fungi.

• tube worms.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Earth's current atmosphere is composed mostly of nitrogen gas. Where did all of this nitrogen come from?

• from the breakdown of the ammonia in the early atmosphere

• from outer space via comets and asteroid

• directly from the Earth's outer core

• from the photosynthesis of early bacteria

What was the result of early bacterial life in the ocean starting to consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen by photosynthesis?

• None of this oxygen made it to the early atmosphere which was dominated by nitrogen and carbon dioxide.

• This oxygen went on to build up to 21% in our current atmosphere.

• This oxygen bonded with leftover hydrogen gas to produce Earth's first water.

• This oxygen was lost into space because it is such a light gas.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following was the major importance of the dissolved iron in the ocean being used up?

• As the iron was depleted, free oxygen become available to be added to the atmosphere.

• As the iron was depleted, rocks on the land masses began to rust.

• As the iron was depleted, the atmosphere began to fill up with carbon dioxide gas.

• As the iron was depleted, the oceans transitioned from freshwater to saltwater.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

What occurred to provide extensive evidence in the rock record around 700 million years ago?

• a glaciation event (ice age)

• a meteoroid impact

• collision with a dwarf planet

• global warming of the planet

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which of the following IS NOT one of the reasons for significant climatic contrasts between 700 million and 600 million years ago?

• the last great ice age

• changes to the output of the Sun

• fluctuations in the carbon dioxide concentrations of the atmosphere

• changes in ocean circulation