CommonLit Article: Clues to Ancient Life Review Game

What are fossils primarily composed of?

• Magma

• Sediment

• Lava

• Igneous rocks

Which type of fossil includes footprints and burrows?

• Body fossils

• Sedimentary fossils

• Trace fossils

• Metamorphic fossils

Why are fossils important for scientists?

• They provide information about future life on Earth.

• They reveal evidence of ancient life and Earth's history.

• They show how to create new species.

• They tell us about the future of Earth’s climate.

What must happen for an organism to become a body fossil?

• It must be exposed to air and water.

• It must decay completely.

• It must be preserved without rotting.

• It must be burned by lava.

What does sedimentary rock usually contain?

• Magma

• Layers of dust and mud

• Crystallized minerals

• Igneous rock

How are igneous rocks formed?

• By the compression of sediment

• Through volcanic activity or crystallization

• By the movement of tectonic plates

• Through the accumulation of sand and shells

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of metamorphic rocks?

• Changed by heat and pressure

• Often fossil-free

• Formed by cooling magma

• Can have traces of fossils

What do trace fossils tell scientists?

• The exact age of the rock layer

• The movement and behavior of ancient animals

• The color of ancient plants

• The exact size of ancient organisms

Why do most fossils form in sedimentary rock?

• Because it contains lava

• Because it is the oldest type of rock

• Because it forms in layers that can preserve fossils

• Because it is found only in deserts

What is a coprolite?

• A type of igneous rock

• A fossilized shell

• A fossilized footprint

• A fossilized piece of animal waste