Fossils SA

Match the following: Where do these fossils originate from?

• Saltwater

• 
• Swamps

• 
• Deserts

• 
• Saltwater, freshwater, and swamp

• 

The photograph shows a mammoth fossil.

The fossil suggests that the mammoth had -

• large, sharp teeth for ripping meat

• tusks that may have been used for defense and digging

• small, rounded teeth for grinding plants

• a large tail that may have been used for whipping away predators

Which question can scientists answer by looking at a fossil?

Select TWO correct answers

• What color was an animal?

• How old is the fossil?

• What sounds did the animal make?

• Did the animal live on land or water?

•  How big was the animals family?

What is the most popular candy in Thailand?

• Khanom Chan
• Durian candy
• Mochi
• Pocky

Fossils are the ​ ​ (a)   or ​ (b)   of animals and plants that lived long ago. Fossils are often found in ​ (c)   rocks. Scientists study fossils to gain insight into ​ (d)   organisms and their environments.

• remains
• traces
• sedimentary
• ancient

By studying fossils, scientists can understand more about what organisms ​ (a)   , their ​ (b)   , and the climate of that time. They can even predict the environmental ​ (c)   that led to the organism's ​ (d)   .

• ate
• habitats
• disasters
• extinction

Scientists have uncovered palm fossils in Alaska, the northern-most state of the United States. Modern-day palm plants grow in tropical climates. A picture of a palm fossil that measures almost one meter across is shown. 

The discovery suggests to scientists that this area in Alaska once was covered in...

(a)  

What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?

• Mecca
• Jeddah
• Medina
• Riyadh

Which best describes fossils?

• They are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living things
• They are the preserved remains or evidence of ancient living and nonliving things
• They are the preserved bones of ancient animals
• They are impressions of plant leaves in ancient rocks

What needs to happen FIRST for a fossil to form?

• A plant or animal must be covered by sediment.

• A plant or animal must die and decompose.

• Sediments fill a a mold to form a cast.

• An earthquake shifts the land up.