Earth's History Review

Paleontologists are scientists who study evidence of past life on Earth. Which method do paleontologists MOST likely use to determine the forms of life that existed millions of years ago?

• research past species in the library

• examine current species of plants and animals

• interview older scientists

• examine fossil records

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. How does intrusion X compare to the ages of the other rock layers and fossils in this geologic column?

• Intrusion X is younger than all the layers.

• Intrusion X is younger than the broadleaf and fern fossils.

• Intrusion X is older than the clam and broadleaf fossils.

• Intrusion X is older than layers Y and Z.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

A complete fossil has been found of a type of bird that cannot be identified. What can MOST likely be determined about the bird from the fossil?

• The bird lived in a dry environment.

• The bird lived for a very short time.

• The bird was not well preserved during the process of fossilization.

• The bird existed at one time but is now extinct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. Which is younger than the broadleaf fossil?

• Layer Y

• Fern fossil

• Intrusion X

• Layer Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which environmental condition MOST likely existed at the time a fossil formed?

• Organism remains were buried in an area where a lot of erosion occurred.

• Organism remains were buried with little oxygen.

• Organism remains were deposited in an area of open space.

• Organism remains were covered by lava flow.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram. Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers?

• principle of uniformitarianism

• the law of superposition

• radiometric dating

• rock type evaluation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?

• trace fossil

• marine mammal fossil

• swamp fern fossil

• index fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Scientists can use relative dating, absolute dating, or a combination of the two techniques to determine the age of a fossil. Which of the following could be determined using both methods?

• the exact age of a fossil

• a narrow age range for a fossil

• which of two fossils is the older

• the difference in age between two fossils

A fossil discovered in Colorado dates from the early Mesozoic era. A year later a similar fossil is found in Wyoming that also dates from the early Mesozoic era. These two organisms MOST LIKELY lived in

• the same environment at about the same time.

• different environments at different times.

• different environments at about the same time.

• the same environment at different times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A section of a rock layer is shown. The evidence in these rock layers BEST supports which conclusion?

• Eurypterids were the least common type of organism in this section of rock.

• Eurypterids are related to modern-day scorpions and crabs.

• The oldest fossils in this section of rock are trilobites.

• There is some overlap in the presence of brachiopods and ammonites on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1