Geologic History of Earth (Practice)

The law of superposition states...

• older fossils are always in the top rock layer.

• younger fossils are always in the bottom rock layer.

• it is impossible to determine the age of fossils no matter what.

• the oldest fossils are found in the bottom rock layer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which TWO characteristics describe an INDEX FOSSIL?

• found in more than 1 rock layer

• found in ONLY 1 rock layer

• more than 1 fossil

• all fossils are index fossils

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Look at the rock strata diagram. Which fossil is an index fossil?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Look at the rock layers in the image. What can you conclude about how this area changed over time?

• I can conclude that the seashell fossils were younger than the T-rex footprints.

• I can conclude that this are has always been an ocean.

• I can conclude that this area was never covered by a body of water.

• I can conclude that this area was once covered by water, then more rock layers formed over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The basalt intrusion occurred...

• after the limestone was deposited.

• before the granite was formed.

• before the limestone was deposited.

• before all three layers were formed.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn from the data in this diagram?

• Jellyfish and trilobites never competed for resources.

• Trilobites and dinosaurs did not live at the same time.

• Most mammals are in competition with birds for resources.

• Mammals did not appear until after the dinosaurs went extinct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The fossil remains of organisms with skeletons are not found in the lowest layers of rock discovered. How is the lack of fossilized skeletons in the lowest rock layers best explained?

• Organisms with skeletons did not evolve until after these rock layers formed.

• The fossils of organisms with skeletons are only found in the oldest rocks.

• Fossil skeletons are usually crushed if other rock layers are above the ones they are in.

• Organisms with skeletons live only at the highest altitudes, which is where they turn to fossils.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The illustration here shows rock layers in their original order, along with a fracture in some rock layers caused by an earthquake. Based on the evidence in the illustration, an earthquake occurred -

• before layer W was deposited.

• before layer X was deposited

• after layer Y was deposited.

• after layer Z was deposited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The illustration shows rock layers from three different locations and fossils the rock layers contain. The fossils are all trilobites, ancient organisms that were different over time. Which conclusion can be drawn from the information in the illustration?

• The trilobite Cyclopygidae appeared most recently of those shown here.

• The trilobite Ceratopigidae appeared before all the others.

• The trilobite Remopleiridae is the oldest of all the trilobites.

• The trilobite Asaphidae appeared most recently of those shown here.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

When examining rock layers, you will find the oldest layers at the bottom. Newer minerals and rock are piled on top and, over time, this creates distinct rock layers. This is called _______.

• The Law of Superstition

• The Law of Suspicion

• The Law of Horizontality

• The Law of Superposition