Fossils

Which of the following is the best definition of a fossil?

• bones and shells left behind by extinct plants and animals.

• any preserved remains, impression, or trace of any once-living thing from the past.

• bone that has been preserved to provide us information about the past.

• pieces of dead plants or animals

Which of the following could NOT be fossilized?

• bone

• teeth

• skin

• shells

Which of the following tools is used to view items that are unable to be seen by the human eye?

• microscope

• telescope

• thermometer

• ruler

Which part of an animal is most likely to become a fossil?

• skin

• heart

• bone

• eye

A scientist found a fish fossil. The fossil gave clues about what the fish ate.

The fossil most likely formed from which part of the fish?

• the bone

• the teeth

• the eyes

• the tail

Which of the following is NOT true about fossils?

• fossils can tell about things that are living now

• fossils can tell about living things in the past

• fossils can show where an animal lived

• someone that studies fossils is called a paleontologist

In order to form a fossil, an organism must usually __________ quickly after it dies.

Which of the following words best completes the sentence above?

• go extinct

• decompose

• rot

• be buried

What can you infer from the fact that so many fossils involved shells, skeletons, and teeth?

• most organisms on earth have shells, skeletons, or teeth

• bacteria and decomposers consume these parts first after an animal dies

• these parts decay slower than other body parts

• these parts are more likely to be buried in ice than other body parts

Fossils of fish are found under land where cows now live. What does this tell you?

• the fish were dropped their by living birds

• the fish used to live on land

• this land was once under the ocean

• cows used to eat fish in the past

How are most fossils formed?

• Most fossils are formed from animal footprints.

• Most fossils are formed by mold and cast.

• Most fossils are preserved in amber or sap.

• Most fossils are formed in blocks of ice.