Earth History Review Version 2

Which best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative age of a rock layer?

• trace fossil
• index fossil
• radioactive fossil
• unconformity fossil

Which process would be most effective in determining the age of fossils embedded in rock?

• relative dating
• absolute dating
• use of index fossils
• use of core sampling

By which method have scientists determined that the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old?

• plate tectonics
• relative dating
• radioactive dating
• law of superposition

The index fossil of a type of trilobite is discovered in layer A of a set of rock layers found at three different sites of a field investigation. Which conclusion can be made about the rocks in layer A at all three sites?

• The rocks are all different ages
• The rocks are all about the same age
• The rocks were formed from melting magma
• The rocks were formed during a catastrophic event

Fossil remains of a trilobite are most likely to be found in which type of rock?

• igneous
• volcanic
• sedimentary
• metamorphic

What role do faults play in the Law of Superposition?

• Faults create new types of rock.
• Faults are younger than the layers they cut through.
• Faults are the same age as the layers they cut through.

Which theory does evidence found in sedimentary rocks best support?

• Most organisms from Earth's history still exist.
• Organisms have not changed significantly over time.
• All organisms from Earth's history have become extinct.
• Organisms have evolved from simple to complex forms.

Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

• Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth's age, much like the rings of a tree.
• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rocks, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
• Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.

The diagram shows a section of land that has been undisturbed and includes a fossil.What can be concluded about the fossil?

• It is younger than the limestone.
• It is older than the shale.
• It is approximately the same age as the limestone.
• It is approximately the same age as the sandstone.
  

Which condition best supports fossil formation?

• A dead organism is eaten by scavengers and shredded.
• A dead organism is slowly decomposed by bacteria and insects.
• A dead organism is washed away in a flood and buried under rocks.
• A dead organism is quickly buried under mud and sand.