Paleontology Final Exam Review

What is the primary role of a paleontologist?

• A) To study living animals

• B) To study fossils and ancient organisms

• C) To analyze climate change

• D) To explore outer space

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

According to the Law of Superposition, which statement is true?

• The youngest rocks are on the bottom.

• The oldest rocks are on the bottom.

• All rocks are the same age.

• Rocks are arranged randomly.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What defines an index fossil?

• A fossil that is found in only one location

• A fossil that lived for a long time and is rare

• A fossil that is abundant, widespread, and lived for a short time

• A fossil that is only found in volcanic rock

In which type of rock are fossils typically found?

• Igneous

• Metamorphic

• Sedimentary

• Volcanic

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

What can dinosaur fossil tracks tell us about the dinosaur?

• Its diet

• Its habitat

• Its speed

• Its size

Which of the following is a type of fossil that forms when an organism is trapped in tree resin?

• Mold

• Amber

• Cast

• Coprolite

Which sequence correctly lists the order of rock layers from oldest to youngest?

• A, B, J, F, K, M, R, P, S, X

• P, K, M, S, X, R, A, B, J, F

• F, J, B, A, R, X, S, M, K, P

• R, A, B, J, F, K, M, S, X, P

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

During which period did the earliest flowering plants appear?

• Jurassic

• Triassic

• Cretaceous

• Paleozoic

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NGSS.HS-LS4-5

What event caused the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period?

• Ice Age

• Asteroid impact and volcanic eruptions

• Continental drift

• Overhunting by early humans

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is a key characteristic of sauropods?

• They were small and carnivorous.

• They were large and herbivorous.

• They could fly.

• They were primarily aquatic.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2