Rocks, Minerals, Soil & Fossils

1. Jonah picks up a handful of dirt and wants to know what kind of soil it is. The dirt can be molded and is very smooth and wet. What is the soil most likely made of?

• clay

• gravel

• sand

• silt

2.The pictures show samples of soil that Leon collected in plastic bags. Which soil looks like it has the least organic matter in it?

• soil A

• soil B

• soil C

• soil D

3. Which table correctly matches the fossil with how it was formed?

• Fossil How It was Formed W Marks were made in soft mud and hardened over time. X An organism was trapped in the resin of a tree. Y An organism's bones were replaced with minerals. Z An organism decayed, but its body left an impression.

• Fossil How It was Formed W An organism was trapped in the resin of a tree. X Marks were made in soft mud and hardened over time. Y An organism decayed, but its body left an impression. Z An organism's bones were replaced with minerals.

• Fossil How It was Formed W An organism's bones were replaced with minerals. X An organism decayed, but its body left an impression. Y Marks were made in soft mud and hardened over time. Z An organism was trapped in the resin of a tree.

• Fossil How It was Formed W Marks were made in soft mud and hardened over time. X An organism decayed, but its body left an impress

4. How does the rock in the passage from the creek bottom compare to the rock Tasha picked up from the ground?

• A. The rock from the creek bottom is sharper because the moving water broke apart cracks in the rock

• B. The rock from the creek bottom is smoother because the moving water wore away pieces of the rock.

• C. The rock from the creek bottom is sharper because the moving water added more hard pieces to the rock.

• D. The rock from the creek bottom is smoother because the moving water melted the sharp edges of the rock.

5 The box shows a list Aliece created to explain the ways an organism can become a fossil. What point(s) did Aliece get incorrect?

• A. point U

• B. point X

• C. points W and Z

• D. points V and W

6 Four students classified their rocks. Which student correctly classified his or her rock?

• A. Dionne

• B. Vincent

• C. Mikayla

• D. D'Angelo

7 Rock X can scratch Rock Y, but Rock Y cannot scratch Rock X. Based on this information, which of these statements is true?

• A. Rock X is smoother than Rock Y.

• B. Rock X is rougher than Rock Y.

• C. Rock X is harder than Rock Y.

• D. Rock X is softer than Rock Y.

8 Which of the following is NOT something a paleontologist does?

• A. studies plants from a long time ago

• B. looks at the fossilized remains of organisms

• C. looks at the features of endangered organisms

• D. studies habitats from a long time ago

9 In which body of water would a rock become smooth the fastest?

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10. The pictures show two samples

of soil. Which sample can hold more water? Why?

• A. Sample X because it has less

  texture

• B. Sample Y because it has more texture

• C. Sample X because it has larger particles

• D. Sample Y because it has smaller particles