Exploring Fossils and Their Evidence

During a school trip to a natural history museum, Zander and Avalon were fascinated by the exhibits. They came across a display that explained what a fossil is. What is a fossil?

• A type of rock

• The remains or traces of living things preserved in rock

• A type of plant

• A type of animal

During a school field trip to a natural history museum, Sethee and Emily were fascinated by different types of fossils. Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil?

• A dinosaur bone

• A fossilized leaf

• A footprint

• A shell

During a school field trip to a natural history museum, Zander and Rohan learned about different types of fossils. The guide explained that a fossil mold is:

• A fossil that forms when an organism is buried and then decays, leaving an empty space

• A fossil that forms when minerals fill in the empty space left by a decayed organism

• A type of rock

• A type of plant

Emily and Baldwin are studying fossils to learn about Earth's history. How can fossils help them understand past environments?

• By showing what color the plants were

• By providing evidence of the climate and types of organisms that lived long ago

• By showing what dinosaurs looked like

• By indicating the size of ancient animals

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

During a class field trip to a natural history museum, Avalon and Mahaffey learned about different types of fossils. What is a fossil cast?

• A fossil that forms when an organism is buried and then decays, leaving an empty space

• A fossil that forms when minerals fill in the empty space left by a decayed organism

• A type of rock

• A type of plant

During a geology field trip, Addi and Baldwin were examining different types of rocks. Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• Igneous rock

• Metamorphic rock

• Sedimentary rock

• Granite

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

During a field trip, Avalon and Rohan discovered a series of rock layers in a canyon. How can these patterns in rock layers help them understand changes in the landscape over time?

• By showing the color of the rocks

• By indicating the age of the rocks and the sequence of events

• By showing the size of the rocks

• By indicating the weight of the rocks

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

During a geology field trip, Addi and Rohan discovered a rock layer containing marine fossils. What can this indicate about the past environment of the area?

• The area was once a desert

• The area was once underwater

• The area was once a forest

• The area was once a mountain

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

During a school field trip, Bodee and Addi found a fossil in a rock. Which of the following best describes how this fossil was formed?

• An organism is buried quickly and minerals replace its body parts over time

• An organism is left on the surface and decays completely

• An organism is frozen in ice

• An organism is burned by lava

During a class trip to a natural history museum, Abi and Sethee learned about the significance of fossils. Why are fossils important for understanding Earth's history?

• They provide evidence of past life and environments

• They are used to make jewelry

• They are used to build houses

• They are used to make tools

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2