What are fossils?

• Rocks that are shaped like plants or an animals

• Remains, trace or impression of ancient organisms

• Sedimentary rocks formed by the processes of compaction and cementation

• Remains of animals that died recently

What type of rock are fossils most often found in?

• Metamorphic

• Igneous

• Sedimentary

• Gemstone

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Which rock layer in the picture below is the oldest rock layer?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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Why do scientists called paleontologists study fossils?

• To study the effects of human activities on local ecosystems

• To study global warming

• The learn about ancient plants and animals

• To study the biodiversity of an area

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How old must remains be in order for them to be considered a fossil?

• 10 years old

• 10 thousands years old

• 10 billion years old

• 10 million years old

Which rock layer in the picture below is the youngest rock layer?

• A

• B

• C

• D

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The deeper a fossil is buried, the ______ it is.

• younger

• more preserved

• older

• larger

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How are fossils formed?

• Remains of dead organisms are frozen in ice.

• Remains of a dead organism are replaced by minerals, leaving a stone copy.

• Living organisms die and the remains are covered in sediment.

• All of the above are true.

Trace fossils, or ichnofossils, are fossils of traces or impressions left by animals. They provide indirect evidence of how animals lived and behaved. Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil?

• A footprint

• An insect in amber

• A fossilized tooth

• Petrified wood

Scientists can gather all of the following information from fossil evidence except –

• what ancient plants and animals looked like

• how different plants and animals are related to each other

• a complete picture of all ancient species

• how many plants and animals have changed over time

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