Fossil Analysis Quiz

While exploring a remote area, Ja'Ceon discovers a fossil of an organism with a long snout and long tail. Which modern-day animal is most likely a relative of the fossil?

• cat

• frog

• elephant

• hippopotamus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Kaiden is studying a fossil of a saber-toothed tiger and comparing it to today’s living tigers. What unique characteristic might Kaiden observe in the fossil?

• spots on the fur

• large tusk-like teeth

• eye socket in the skull

• a sixth claw on the paws

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Daphanie and Keni'zah discovered a fossil of a fern during their school trip. How does knowing that present-day ferns live in warmer climates most likely help them understand Earth’s climate from long ago?

• It suggests that the area where the fossil was found had a warm, wet climate.

• It suggests that the area where the fossil was found had a cold, dry climate.

• It suggests that the area where the fossil was found was once under water.

• It suggests that the area where the fossil was found was once a desert.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

While exploring a canyon, Holland and June discover a fossil embedded in sedimentary rock. Which best explains how the fossil became part of the rock?

• The fossil was preserved after the sedimentary rock was deposited.

• The fossil was preserved before the sedimentary rock was deposited.

• The fossil was preserved at the same time the sedimentary rock was deposited.

• The fossil was preserved in a different location than the sedimentary rock was deposited.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

During a school field trip to a natural history museum, Nazareth and Anna Grace learned about fossils. Which parts of organisms are most likely to form into fossils?

• soft parts

• tiny parts

• hard parts

• smooth parts

Donnie and Kelan discovered fossils of water creatures with bones and teeth. What might these findings suggest?

• eating habits of these creatures

• predators of these creatures

• strength of these creatures

• color of these creatures

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

While exploring a historical site, Shukria and Jaezohn discovered a fossil of an early fern and a tree in the bottom layer of rock, while a fossil of a fish and clam were in the top layer of rock. Which can most likely be inferred about the environments in the area over time?

• A desert environment gradually turned into a forest environment.

• There was a forest environment and later an ocean environment.

• There was a rainforest environment and later a drier forest.

• An ocean environment changed into a desert environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

During a school field trip, Holland and Anna Grace discovered different types of fossils. Which type of fossil discovery most likely indicates a geological change occurred?

• finding a fly preserved in amber

• finding a fish fossil in the desert

• finding a shell fossil near the ocean

• finding a dinosaur footprint in the mountains

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

During a geology field trip, Nazareth and Lillie observed that fossils are mainly found in sedimentary rocks. Which best explains why this is true?

• Sedimentary rocks undergo great pressure which allows preservation of the organisms.

• Sedimentary rocks undergo much heat and pressure which is needed to preserve fossils.

• Sedimentary rocks are the hardest rock type which allow for the fossil preservation.

• Sedimentary rocks undergo gentle pressure which allows preservation of many details of the organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

During a field trip, Hardaway and Levi discovered fossils of two different species in the same rock layer. Why would these fossils be found together?

• because they had the same diet

• because they had the same shape

• because they were the same weight

• because they lived at the same time