NC Grade 8 Science EOG Practice

The figure below shows a wall of the Grand Canyon.The most recent rocks of the Grand Canyon formed during which geologic period?

• Permian

• Devonian

• Cambrian

• Precambrian

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

To calculate the relative age of rocks, geologists use the rate of radioactive decay of isotopes present in their samples. What is the term used for the original amount of the elemental isotopes being investigated?

• rare earth isotopes

• son isotopes

• daughter isotopes

• parent isotopes

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

If a metamorphic rock contains an intrusion of igneous rock, which rock is the oldest?

• The igneous rock is older

• The rocks are the same age

• The metamorphic rock is older.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Scientists can use relative dating, absolute dating, or a combination of the two techniques to determine the age of a fossil. Which of the following could be determined using both methods?

• the difference in age between two fossils

• which of two fossils is the older

• a narrow age range for a fossil

• the exact age of a fossil

Several zircon crystals from Australia have been dated to have an estimated age of 4.2 billion years. Which statement BEST describes the period of formation of these crystals?

• They formed relatively recently in the history of Earth.

• They formed at a time shortly after the formation of Earth.

• They formed at approximately the same time as atmospheric oxygen began increasing.

• They formed at approximately the same time as animals first inhabited land environments.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Fossils of Haikouella were discovered in 1999. The fossils are thought to be about 530 million years old. The Haikouella is an example of an early vertebrate, but it appears to be lacking a braincase. Modern vertebrates have a braincase. Which is theMOST likely evidence these fossils provide?



• Changes can occur over time in animals.

• There is a link between birds and reptiles.

• The braincase of vertebrates will eventually reduce.

• The lack of a braincase limited the size of the organism.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The ichthyornis was a type of bird that lived over 65 million years ago. It lived near the sea and hunted for fish over the water. Fossils have been found in Kansas, many miles from the present-day ocean. Which cause of extinction is MOST likely to be found in the fossil record along with ichthyornis fossils?

• changes in the environment

• diseases causing illness

• changes in the weather

• predator animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Thousands of fish fossils discovered high in the Rocky Mountains MOST likely indicate that

• ancient sea levels were once high enough to cover the mountains.

• a large flood washed the fish up to the tops of the mountains.

• the mountains were once part of the sea floor that was pushed up by tectonic forces.

• the fish were inhabitants of an ancient stream that became frozen during the ice ages.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A student has made the geologic column below. What evidence must be carefully examined to determine that organisms changed over time?

• fossils

• soil type

• environment

• plate tectonics

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Several dinosaur bones are discovered buried in volcanic ash. The type of dinosaur can BEST be identified by

• knowing the location where the fossils were found.

• establishing an inventory of bones collected.

• comparing to characteristics of known dinosaurs.

• knowing the absolute age of the fossils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2