Earth History Test

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

• relative dating

• absolute dating

• counting tree rings

• use of core sampling

Which characteristic of carbon-14 dating helps scientists determine the approximate time a species became extinct?

• Carbon-14 is not present in more recent fossils
• Carbon-14 increases at a constant rate over time
• Carbon-14 decreases at a constant rate over time
• Carbon-14 can only be found in fossils of a certain period

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

• igneous
• volcanic
• sedimentary
• metamorphic

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Many fossils of large amphibians were found in an area that is currently barren desert. Which is most likely true?

• The climate of the area was once much wetter than it is now.
• Amphibians were once better at surviving in dry environments.
• The amphibians migrated there after a catastrophic event destroyed their habitats.
• The amphibians are not native to the area and their bones were brought there by other animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which is the most precise method used in determining the age of a fossil?

• relative dating

• geologic column

• radiometric dating

• law of superposition

Four sedimentary rock layers are cut by an igneous rock intrusion. Which best describes the relative age of the igneous rock intrusion in comparison to the ages of the four sedimentary rock layers?

• The igneous rock intrusion is older than sedimentary rock layers W, X, Y and Z.

• The igneous rock intrusion is younger than sedimentary rock layers W, X, Y, and Z

• The igneous rock intrusion is older than sedimentary rock layer W and younger than sedimentary rock layers X, Y, and Z

• The igneous rock intrusion is younger than sedimentary rock layer W and older than sedimentary rock layers X, Y, and Z.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of rock layers shown in the diagram?

• The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part

• The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M

• Layer R is older than Layer M

• Layer I is older than Layer B

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What role do faults play in the Law of Crosscutting relationships?

• 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.

• Faults have nothing to do with this