Continental Drift Quick Check Review

During a school debate, Ferris presented a theory about how the continents were once connected. What was the main reason that Ferris's theory received a lot of ridicule from the other students?

• A. No similar fossils were found on different continents.

• B. There was no data to suggest any change in geologic structures.

• C. Ferris did not give a method on how the continents actually moved.

• D. The outlines of the continents looked like puzzle pieces that would fit together.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

During a school trip to the Himalayan Mountains, students Rocky and Rue discovered sedimentary rocks with fossils of clams and other marine life. What does this indicate about the origin of the Himalayan Mountains?

• There was once a large forest at top of the mountains.

• Animals that now live on the mountains once lived under water.

• The Earth's crust that formed these mountains was once covered with an ocean.

• Continental drift resulted two tectonic plates moving closer to each other over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Draco and Ferris found fossils of a now-extinct dinosaur near the east coast of South America and the west coast of Africa. The dinosaur could not swim or fly. What does this suggest about the continents of South America and Africa?

• The continents were once connected.

• A land bridge once connected the continents.

• The same type of animals evolved on both continents.

• Prehistoric man transported the dinosaur between the continents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Oakland and Milo found some shark teeth while exploring a field. What is the paleontologist's BEST explanation for why the teeth were found in this area?

• Sharks used to live on flat land.

• This area was once covered with salt water.

• This area was once covered with freshwater.

• Someone buried the shark teeth deep in the ground.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Belle and Draco discovered fossils of trees in an area that is now a desert. What can they infer about the trees and the land where the fossils were found?

• A. Trees have adapted to live in the desert.

• B. The trees are extinct now, but used to live in the desert.

• C. This area has many trees, because it has always been a desert.

• D. This area was once home to many trees and has not always been a desert.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Large areas of Virginia were once covered by seawater. The fossil MOST LIKELY found in Virginia is:

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

During a geography class, Ferris asked, "What is Pangaea?"

• the name of a German scientist

• the name of a supercontinent that existed millions of years ago

• another name for continental drift

• the name of an ancient fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Rue and Milo are studying the movement of Earth's plates. They learn that most geologists think this movement is caused by

• gravity

• subduction

• convection currents in the asthenosphere

• Earth's magnetic field

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Oakland and Milo were discussing Wegener's hypothesis of continental drift. According to their discussion,

• A. Earth's surface is made up of seven major land masses

• B. the continents do not move

• C. Earth is slowly cooling and shrinking

• D. the continents were once joined together in a single land mass

During a classroom discussion, Ferris and Belle were exploring different types of evidence for continental drift. Which of the following did they identify as a piece of Wegener's landform evidence?

• tropical plant fossils in Spitsbergen

• mountains in S. America and Africa

• Stethacanthus fossil in Africa and S. America

• Mesosaurus fossil in S. America and Africa