Extinction Practice Questions

Which of the following can cause mass extinctions? Choose all that apply

• Volcanoes and earthquakes

• climate change

• sea levels rising

• asteroids

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of these describes a likely reason why a species would become extinct after a major environmental change?

• The environmental change means fewer predators are around.

• There are more homes for the species in the changed environment.

• The change in the environment opens new resources with less competition.

• There are not enough members of the species born with a trait necessary to survive in the new environment.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of these could cause a mass extinction?

• a year-long drought

• a week long blizzard

• eutrophication of a pond (so many nutrients enter the pond that the plant growth takes over)

• a major change in global climate

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

High biodiversity is 

• having a lot of the same organism.
• having a few of the same organism.
• having a lot of variety of different organisms.
• only having one of each organism. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

Which population would be most likely to survive large environmental changes?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The two species in the graph have similar population sizes, but different amounts of genetic diversity. Which statement is correct based on the graph?

• Species 1 would be more likely to survive environmental changes because it has more diversity

• Species 2 would be more likely to survive environmental changes because it has more diversity

• Species 1 would be more likely to survive environmental changes because it has less diversity

• Species 2 would be more likely to survive environmental changes because it has less diversity

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

According to most scientists, what is the ultimate cause of most mass extinctions?

• overhunting

• evolution of new species to replace old ones

• major change in environment due to extreme natural events

• asteroid impact

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Which of the following is NOT a reason a species may become extinct?

• competition
• reproducing
• habitat loss
• overhunting

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Evidence of an animal or plant that lived a long time ago on Earth is called a(n) ________.

• fossil

• tiger

• extinct

• endangered

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

There have been _____ mass extinction events in Earth's history.

• 3
• 4
• 5
• 2

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1