GEOLOGY CFA

According to the ammonite’s characteristics, which modern animals would MOST likely be the relatives of ammonites?

• SQUID AND OCTOPI

• WHALES AND PORPOISES

• LIZARDS AND TURTLES

• SHRIMPS AND CRABS

A student has made the geologic column below.

Geologic Column

Cenozoic era (Began 65 million years ago) Homo sapiens

Mesozoic era (Began 245 million years ago) Dinosaurs, first mammals, first birds

Paleozoic era (Began 544 million years ago) First fish, first amphibians, first insects, first reptiles, first land plants

Precambrian era (Began 4.6 billion years ago) Bacteria-like forms

 

What evidence must be carefully examined to determine that organisms changed over time?

• FOSSILS

• SOIL TYPE

• ENVIRONMENT

• PLATE TECTONICS

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

• the same environment at different times.

• C.

  different environments at about the same time.

• different environments at different times.

Which of the following eras is known as the “Age of Mammals”?

• Precambrian

• Paleozoic

• Mesozoic

• Cenozoic

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?

• Marine Mammal fossil

• Swamp fern fossil

• Trace fossil

• Index fossil

The diagram shows the front limbs of four different members of the horse family, based on the fossil record. They are arranged from the oldest to the most recent.

Which BEST describes how the front limbs of horses have changed over time?

• They have gained additional toes.

• The bones have become stronger.

• The toes have reduced in number.

• The bones have become shorter.

Thousands of fish fossils discovered high in the Rocky Mountains MOST likely indicate that

• ancient sea levels were once high enough to cover the mountains.

• a large flood washed the fish up to the tops of the mountains.

• the mountains were once part of the sea floor that was pushed up by tectonic forces.

• the fish were inhabitants of an ancient stream that became frozen during the ice ages.

Which statement below BEST explains why several fossils of sea organisms were discovered buried deep in an area of dry land?

• The fossils changed locations.

• The area had a shift in climate.

• The land was once underwater.

• A glacier once covered the area.

The discovery of fossilized coral reefs on land is evidence that

• salt water changes coral into fossils.

• the reefs formed in a freshwater lake.

• the sea level has changed over time.

• coral reefs can form on dry land.

Scientists estimate that if index fossils were deposited during a certain time frame, then the entire rock layer was also deposited at the same time. A scientist finds Trophite fossils. According to the chart above, in what era and period was this rock layer deposited?

• Cenozoic era; Tertiary period

• Mesozoic era; Triassic period

• Paleozoic era; Permian period

• Paleozoic era; Mississippian period