Unit 6: Fossils Study Guide

The preserved remains or traces of a living thing.

• Cast

• Extinct

• Fossil

• Mold

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A model of an organism, formed when sediment fills a mold and hardens.

• Cast

• Extinct

• Fossil

• Mold

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A fossil formed when a hollow space is formed in mud.

• Cast

• Extinct

• Fossil

• Mold

When the last of a species dies.

• Cast

• Extinct

• Fossil

• Mold

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A period when many species became extinct at the same time.

• Mass Extinction

• Continental Drift

• Index Fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A fossil that helps identify a very short period of Earth's history.

• Mass Extinction

• Continental Drift

• Index Fossil

Fossils of the first humans show they had flexible wrists. This helped them obtain food and shelter from trees. Based on this information, the first humans most likely lived in which type of ecosystems?

• Coastal

• Mountain

• River

• Forest

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A scientist discovers a fossil of a bison-like animal in North America. The fossil study indicates that the animal had hair on its legs, a short tail, furry ears, and a thick coat. What argument about the past environment of North America can be made based on the fossils?

• North America was once underwater.

• There were many estuaries in North America.

• There were more grasslands in North America.

• North America was once covered with a thicker layer of ice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Pakicetus is an ancient four-footed land mammal that lived about 50 million years ago. The study of Pakicetus fossils indicates that it lived close to an ocean. The image shows a fossil of Pakicetus, and the table lists several characteristics of its body. Based on the information, what can be inferred about Pakicetus?

• Pakicetus is an ancient relative of whales.

• Pakicetus evolved into amphibians.

• Pakicetus was the last land mammal on Earth.

• Pakicetus and whales evolved at the same time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A group of scientists discovered the fossilized skull of a dinosaur. Which statement best represents a conclusion that could be reached by studying the fossilized skull?

• This type of dinosaur was a flesh eater.

• This type of dinosaur was a fast runner.

• This type of dinosaur was able to swim well.

• This type of dinosaur was able to fly through the air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2