Quiz about 8.E.2.1

Question 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?

Accepted Answer

Intrusion X is younger than the broadleaf and fern fossils.

Answer

Intrusion X is older than layers Y and Z.

Answer

Intrusion X is younger than all the layers.

Answer

Intrusion X is older than the clam and broadleaf fossils.

Question 2

The diagram shows a series of rock layers and fossils. Which is true?

Accepted Answer

Intrusion X is younger than layers Z and Y.

Answer

Layer W is older than intrusion X.

Answer

The broadleaf fossil is older than the fern fossil.

Answer

The clam fossil is younger than the reptile bone fossil.

Question 3

Sedimentary rocks are formed from the particles of a wide variety of pre-existing rocks. This makes it likely that the radioactive particles in each layer of sedimentary rock come from rocks of different ages. So, radiometric dating is used differently with sedimentary rock than it is with igneous rock. When dating sedimentary rock, scientists date the layers of volcanic ash above and below a sedimentary layer. Once they know the age of the sandwiching layers, they can estimate the age of the sedimentary layer between them. The table shows information about ash layers above and below a sedimentary rock. Potassium-40 is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of 1.3 billion years. Argon-40 is its daughter product. Using the principles of absolute and relative dating, which of the following is a possible age of the sedimentary layer?

Accepted Answer

1.5 billion years old

Answer

0.65 billion years old

Answer

1.1 billion years old

Answer

2.8 billion years old

Question 4

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?

Accepted Answer

Layer I is older than Layer B.

Answer

The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.

Answer

The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.

Answer

Layer R is older than Layer M.

Question 5

Use this geologic profile to answer the following question. Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?

Accepted Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is older.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is less common.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is more complex.

Question 6

A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic era or the beginning of the Mesozoic era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

225 million years old

Answer

100 million years old

Answer

400 million years old

Answer

550 million years old

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

The oldest fossils in this section of rock are trilobites.

Answer

Eurypterids are related to modern-day scorpions and crabs.

Answer

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

Answer

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

Question 8

The graph shows possible changes to sea level over geologic time. What did scientists MOST likely study to construct this graph?

Accepted Answer

sedimentary layers

Answer

molten magma

Answer

extrusive igneous rocks

Answer

foliated metamorphic rocks

Question 9

The diagram shows where fossils of two organisms were found in rock layers. Which conclusion does this diagram BEST support?

Accepted Answer

Organism Y lived before Organism X because Organism Y was found in an older rock layer.

Answer

The earthquake that caused the fault most likely killed both organisms because the fossils formed during the time of the earthquake.

Answer

The fault formed while Organism X was living and after Organism Y had died because the fault is located between the two fossils.

Answer

Both organisms lived at the same time because the fossils they formed were found in rock layers of about the same depth.

Question 10

The rock layers shown were dated using the radioactive decay method. If the layers have been undisturbed, which best represents their arrangement from bottom to top?

Accepted Answer

X, Y, W, Z

Answer

W, X, Y, Z

Answer

Z, W, Y, X

Answer

Z, Y, X, W

Question 11

A rock sample is arranged in four undisturbed layers, W, X, Y and Z, as shown in the diagram. Which is most likely true about the layers according to the law of superposition?

Accepted Answer

W is the youngest rock layer and Z is the oldest rock layer.

Answer

W is the oldest rock layer and Z is the youngest rock layer.

Answer

X is the youngest rock layer and W is the oldest rock layer.

Answer

X is the oldest rock layer and Y is the oldest rock layer.

Question 12

The diagram shows several sedimentary rock layers containing index fossils. Which layer contains the oldest fossils?

Accepted Answer

Layer 4

Answer

Layer 1

Answer

Layer 2

Answer

Layer 3

Question 13

Fossils were discovered in four different sedimentary rock layers as shown. Which best describes the age of the fish relative to the age of the fern and the age of the shell?

Accepted Answer

The fish is younger than the fern, but older than the shell.

Answer

The fish is older than both the fern and the shell.

Answer

The fish is younger than both the fern and the shell.

Answer

The fish is older than the fern, but younger than the shell.

Question 14

Scientists have identified four sedimentary rock layers from an archaeological dig as shown. Which is most likely the oldest sedimentary rock layer?

Accepted Answer

Layer U

Answer

Layer R

Answer

Layer S

Answer

Layer T

Question 15

The diagram shows a cross-section of several rock layers and geological features. Based on the diagram, which is true?

Accepted Answer

Layer X is older than layer Y.

Answer

Layer U is the oldest.

Answer

Layer Z is the youngest.

Answer

Layer T is older than layer S.

Question 16

This diagram shows fossils from different eras of geologic time. Which index fossil would indicate the oldest rock?

Accepted Answer

Paradoxides pinus

Answer

Venericardia planicosta

Answer

Nerinea trinodosa

Answer

none of these

Question 17

The diagram shows two sections of rock layers found several miles apart. Based upon the information in the diagram, which conclusion can best be made?

Accepted Answer

Rock layers containing similar fossils were formed at the same time.

Answer

The rock layers contained fossils identical to each other.

Answer

Rock layers are laid down from the youngest to the oldest.

Question 18

A certain fossil (Y) is found in a layer of rock that lies between two index fossils, X and Z. Surprisingly, the older of the index fossils (Z) is found above the other fossils, suggesting that the rock layer has overturned. Which dating method is BEST to confirm the rock layer has overturned by determining the ages of these fossils?

Accepted Answer

radiometric analysis

Answer

anatomical comparison

Answer

gene sequencing

Answer

fossil depth measurement

Question 19

A road cut shows a layer of shale on top of a layer of limestone. This indicates

Accepted Answer

the environment changed between the times of deposition.

Answer

the shale layer is older than the limestone layer.

Answer

a fault occurred during the deposition of the layers.

Answer

volcanic activity occurred when these layers were deposited.

Question 20

A scientist finds the bones of a dinosaur. What could help the scientist determine the approximate age of the dinosaur bones?

Accepted Answer

the index fossils in the area of the bones

Answer

the birds living in the area of the bones

Answer

the weather conditions in the area of the bones

Answer

the kinds of trees living in the area of the bones

Question 21

Geologists frequently use mass spectrometers in determining the relative age of rocks. A spectrometer can differentiate between the ratios of isotopes in rock samples and calculates the radioactive decay involving what two isotopes?

Accepted Answer

uranium - lead

Answer

rubidium - strontium

Answer

potassium - argon

Answer

uranium - strontium

Question 22

Geologists use radiometric dating, the law of superposition, and index fossils to establish the ages of various rock layers in a formation. Why would a geologist use the law of superposition and index fossils to date a rock formation when radiometric dating is available?

Accepted Answer

Radiometric dating is inaccurate when used on sedimentary rocks.

Answer

Calculating ages using index fossils confirms evolutionary sequences.

Answer

Radiometric and fossil dating are only effective on organic matter.

Answer

The law of superposition gives the most specific dating information.

Question 23

If a metamorphic rock contains an intrusion of igneous rock, which rock is the oldest?

Accepted Answer

The metamorphic rock is older.

Answer

The igneous rock is older.

Answer

The rocks are the same age.

Answer

none of these

Question 24

Radioactive dating is used to study which element in igneous and metamorphic rocks?

Accepted Answer

uranium

Answer

carbon

Answer

krypton

Answer

none of these

Question 25

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?

Accepted Answer

which of two fossils is the older

Answer

the difference in age between two fossils

Answer

a narrow age range for a fossil

Answer

the exact age of a fossil

Question 26

Scientists find dinosaur fossils in the bottom rock layers of a cliff and mammal fossils in the middle rock layer of the cliff. Which could best be concluded from this evidence?

Accepted Answer

Dinosaurs lived on Earth before the mammals.

Answer

Dinosaurs ate plants.

Answer

Dinosaurs were eaten by the mammals.

Answer

Dinosaurs and mammals lived at the same time.

Question 27

Several different fossils were found in rock layers in a geologic column. Above these rock layers, the fossils were almost nonexistent. Which most likely explains these observations?

Accepted Answer

A period of mass extinction occurred.

Answer

A nonconformity occurred.

Answer

All the organisms migrated.

Answer

none of these

Question 28

Several zircon crystals from Australia have been dated to have an estimated age of 4.2 billion years. Which statement BEST describes the period of formation of these crystals?

Accepted Answer

They formed at a time shortly after the formation of Earth.

Answer

They formed relatively recently in the history of Earth.

Answer

They formed at approximately the same time as atmospheric oxygen began increasing.

Answer

They formed at approximately the same time as animals first inhabited land environments.

Question 29

The carbon in all living things includes the common isotope carbon-12 as well as the radioactive isotope carbon-14. When an organism dies, it stops taking in carbon. The carbon-14 it contains breaks down into another element, while the carbon-12 it contains remains constant. Half of the atoms in a sample of carbon-14 decay every 5700 years. Thus, the half-life of carbon-14 is 5700 years. Measurements of a fossilized skull indicate that it has a carbon-14/carbon-12 ratio that is equal to about   that of the skulls of present-day animals. Approximately how old is the skull?

Accepted Answer

17,100 years old

Answer

5700 years old

Answer

11,400 years old

Answer

22,800 years old

Question 30

The oldest moon rocks have been dated to a time shortly after the estimated date of the formation of the solar system. Approximately how old are these moon rocks?

Accepted Answer

4.5 billion years

Answer

6.4 billion years

Answer

2.8 billion years

Answer

1.7 billion years

Question 31

The radioactive isotope content of a rock can be used to identify which property of the rock?

Accepted Answer

the amount of time passed since the rock formed

Answer

the total mass of the rock

Answer

the rate at which the rock formed

Answer

the types of fossils that the rock contains

Question 32

To calculate the relative age of rocks, geologists use the rate of radioactive decay of isotopes present in their samples. What is the term used for the original amount of the elemental isotopes being investigated?

Accepted Answer

parent isotopes

Answer

rare earth isotopes

Answer

son isotopes

Answer

daughter isotopes

Question 33

What can be concluded about the age of fossils in undisturbed rock layers?

Accepted Answer

The bottom layer has the oldest fossils.

Answer

The top layer has the oldest fossils.

Answer

The top layer has the oldest and youngest fossils.

Answer

none of these

Question 34

What is the best possible explanation for how abrupt changes in rock layers could happen?

Accepted Answer

impact of a large asteroid

Answer

formation of canyons

Answer

erosion of a mountain range

Answer

none of these

Question 35

Which describes uranium use for radioactive dating?

Accepted Answer

Uranium is a mildly radioactive substance that breaks down at a slow and steady pace which cannot be altered by temperature or pressure.

Answer

Uranium is a strongly radioactive substance that breaks down at a fast and steady pace which cannot be altered by temperature or pressure.

Answer

Uranium is a strongly radioactive substance that breaks down at a fast and unsteady pace which can be altered by temperature or pressure.

Answer

none of these

Question 36

Which material from an archaeological dig is least likely to be studied using the radioactive isotope carbon-14?

Accepted Answer

granite cutting tool

Answer

bone fragment of fish

Answer

tooth of a mammal

Answer

wooden tool handle

Question 37

Which technique BEST helps scientists determine the age of the solar system?

Accepted Answer

using radioactive decay to calculate the ages of rocks on Earth and the Moon

Answer

creating computer models to predict the formation of rocks on Earth and the Moon

Answer

using relative dating techniques on layers of rocks on Earth

Answer

comparing fossils found in the oldest rocks on Earth

Question 38

Which would least likely be an earth process that has influenced the formation of rock layers and fossil formation?

Accepted Answer

high levels of soil erosion

Answer

movement of crustal plates

Answer

air masses forming storms

Answer

none of these

Question 39

Why is petrified wood considered to be a fossil?

Accepted Answer

It was once living matter.

Answer

It is composed of hardened wood.

Answer

It is made entirely of rock material.

Answer

none of these

8.E.2.1

59 questions

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?

The diagram shows a series of rock layers and fossils. Which is true?

The diagram shows fossils and rock features. Which is younger than the clam fossil? (a)

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

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?

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? (a)

Use this geologic profile to answer the following question. Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?

Scientists are analyzing a recently unearthed fossil using radiometric dating techniques. Twenty-five percent of the original uranium-235 in the sample has decayed into lead-207. Scientists determine that the fossil is MOST likely from which Paleozoic period? (a)

A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic era or the beginning of the Mesozoic era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?

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