Fossils

The archelon ischyros is an extinct animal, but the tortoise and common snail are still living today.

• A long tail

• A shell on the back

• Front and back legs

• Two antennas on the head

While on vacation, Sara picked up something that looked like the shell below. It felt like a stone.

• true form fossil

• mold fossil

• trace fossil

• cast fossil

Two fossils were discovered near each other. One appeared to be a fern and the other a fish. What type of environment would these fossilized organisms have most likely lived in?

• arctic tundra

• deep ocean

• dry dessert

• wet tropics

What do fossils preserved in amber and fossils preserved in sedimentary rock have in common?

• Both show how the fossil slept.

• Both were created by erosion.

• Both show evidence of Earth’s history.

• Both were created at the exact same time.

Scientists found fossils of early whales and discovered they had back legs. What could the scientists most likely conclude about early whales?

• Early whales traveled alone.

• Early whales walked on land.

• Early whales breathed oxygen.

• Early whales preferred to eat fish.

Scientists studied a newly discovered fossil. What type of evidence would help identify it as a type of bird?

• presence of gills

• presence of feathers

• presence of four legs

• presence of a curled tail

This image is of a fossil. Which animal living today is most likely related to this fossil?

• bird

• elephant

• fish

• whale

The fossils of a rare flying animal are found in a layer of rock. Which information can be gathered by studying the fossil?

• where the animal died

• how many offspring the animal had

• the temperament of the animal

• the color of the animal

This illustration shows three flightless birds. The largest is the extinct moa, the middle is the ostrich, and the smallest is the kiwi. Which feature do all three birds have in common?

• three toes

• a straight beak

• a neck shaped like the letter “J”

• a pointy bone on the back of each foot

True or False: A mold fossil is hollow.

• True

• False