Discovering the Past: A Fossil Quiz

What are fossils?

• The remains or traces of ancient organisms

• Modern animal bones

• Stones shaped like animals

• Artificially created models of dinosaurs

Which of the following is NOT a type of fossil?

• Body fossils

• Trace fossils

• Star fossils

• Molds and casts

What can trace fossils include?

• Bite marks, nests, and feces

• Only footprints

• Plastic remains

• Fresh leaves

How can fossils help scientists?

• Predict the future

• Create new species

• Generate electricity

• Tell the history of life on Earth

What is permineralization?

• A method to create artificial fossils

• A process where minerals replace organic matter in fossils

• A technique to polish fossils

• The study of minerals in rocks

What conditions are NOT necessary for fossilization?

• Having hard parts

• Being covered by sediment

• Dying in the right place and time

• Being eaten or damaged

What can the presence of a fish fossil in a desert indicate?

• The fossil was placed there as a prank

• Deserts can support marine life

• Fish could fly in ancient times

• That the desert was once underwater

What does the study of fossils allow one to become?

• A paleontologist

• A biologist

• A chemist

• A geologist

Which of the following is a way fossils can form?

• Exploding

• Burning

• Freezing

• Melting

What information can scientists learn from the teeth of fossils?

• The organism's favorite food

• The name of the organism

• The organism's diet

• The color of the organism