Evolution and Dating Methods

Mia, Benjamin, and Ava are on a field trip to a geological site. They want to find out the ages of the rocks they find. What is the process called that scientists use for this purpose?

• dating

• Radiocarbon dating

• Unstable isotopes

• Rock layering

Avery, Grace, and Kai are studying geology and want to determine the age of a rock sample. Which dating method should they use that relies on the known rates of radioactive decay of certain elements found in igneous rocks?

• Relative dating

• Radiocarbon dating

• Unstable isotopes

• Rock layering

In a biology class, Isla and Henry are discussing the main purpose of the modern synthesis. What is it?

• To combine DNA and natural selection

• To pass on beneficial traits

• To ensure survival of the fittest

• To construct the old-earth theory

Aria observed a group of organisms in her biology class. She noticed that one of them had a mutation that helped it survive better in its environment. What is likely to happen to this organism?

• It will pass on the mutation to the next generation

• It will not survive

• It will become extinct

• It will lose the mutation

Priya found a fossil and wants to use Carbon-14 dating to determine its age. What is the age limit for using this method on fossils?

• Less than 100 years old

• Less than 1,000 years old

• Less than 10,000 years old

• Less than 1 million years old

During their geology field trip, Benjamin, Elijah, and Lily found a fossil embedded in a rock. What method can they use to determine the relative age of the fossil?

• Measuring the amount of Carbon-14

• Examining the layers of rock

• Checking for radioactive decay

• Identifying the type of fossil

Aria, Harper, and Ava are discussing the belief that evolution is dependent on. What is that belief?

• The earth is very old

• The earth is young

• The earth is constantly changing

• The earth is flat

Oliver, Aria, and Rohan are observing a group of animals in the wild. They notice that the strongest and healthiest animals are the ones who survive and reproduce the most. What concept of natural selection are they observing?

• Survival of the fittest

• Random mutations

• Genetic variation

• Adaptation to the environment

During a field trip, Oliver, Harper, and Isla found a fossil buried in the ground. They also realized that this fossil is the _______________ of a plant or animal.

• preserved remains

• bones

• tissue

• food

Noah, Scarlett, and Hannah are observing different species in a forest. They notice that some species are more abundant than others. According to the theory of evolution by natural selection, what could be a possible explanation for this observation?

• Species with beneficial traits are more likely to reproduce, leading to their abundance

• All species are equally likely to survive and reproduce, so the observation is purely coincidental

• Evolution occurs at a constant rate for all species, so the abundance is temporary

• Species can choose which traits to pass on to their offspring, leading to their abundance