Fossil Quiz

What are fossils commonly found in?

• Metamorphic rock layers

• Sedimentary rock layers

• Igneous rock layers

• Volcanic ash layers

What is paleontology?

• The study of ancient climates

• The study of rock formations

• The study of fossils

• The study of bacteria

What condition is necessary for forming fossils?

• Slow burial of organism

• Quick burial of organism

• Exposure to sunlight

• Freezing temperatures

What type of structures are most fossil remains from?

• Soft tissues

• Hard structures

• Plant leaves

• Animal fur

According to the Law of Superposition, which rock layers are assumed to be the newest?

• The bottom layers

• The middle layers

• The top layers

• The layers closest to volcanic activity

Why are fossils found in sedimentary rocks?

• Because sedimentary rocks form at high temperatures and pressure

• Because sedimentary rocks form at low temperatures and high pressure

• Because sedimentary rocks form at low temperatures and low pressure

• Because sedimentary rocks are rich in organic material

What does the Law of Superposition help scientists determine about fossils?

• Weight

• Size

• Age

• Color

What does the fossil record tell us about the history of life?

• The age of rocks

• The types of minerals

• When organisms lived and how they evolved

• The temperature of the Earth's surface

What can the fossil record give us a clue about in addition to the history of life?

• The color of ancient organisms

• The environment at the time

• The diet of prehistoric animals

• The names of ancient species

On what is the history of life as documented by fossils recorded?

• Evolutionary Time Scale

• Geologic Time Scale

• Human Time Scale

• Biological Time Scale