Fossil Record Quiz

Using the diagram, order the layers from oldest (1) to youngest (3).

• A

• B

• C

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Looking at these two fossil cores from different continents, which two layers are of approximately the same age? How do you know?

• A and D - both at the top

• B and E - neither have fossils evidence

• C and D - have the same fossil evidence

• C and F - the rock pattern looks the most similar

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Why do you think there are not fossil for every organism that has every lived?

• Many organisms decompose too quickly to become fossils

• They do, the fossils are just destroyed

• Some plants and animals do not have carbon in them

• Many organisms are too large to form fossils

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

In which layer did fossil C come into existence? How do you know this?

• Layer 1-Because that is the layer it is first seen

• Layer 1- Because that is the last layer it is seen in

• Layer 2- Because that is the layer it is first seen

• Layer 2- Because that is the last layer it is seen in

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Fossil A is an ancient mollusk, an organism that needs water to survive. Why do you think that the mollusk went extinct in this particular sample of the fossil record?

• When the ocean levels rose in layer 4, the mollusk went extinct because they cannot live in water

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to thrive

• For some reason, the ocean disappeared causing the mollusk to go extinct

• When the ocean level rose in layer 4, the mollusk thrived because they need water

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What are the oldest fossils and why?

• B, C- because they are closest to the top

• A, B- because they are closest to the bottom

• They are all the same age- because they are all found on layer 2

• A, B- because they are found closest to the top

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

the preserved remains or traces of an organism that lived in the past

• fossil

• trace fossil

• evolution

• sediment

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

An index fossil represents a species that lived during

• several intervals of Earth's history.

• Earth's entire history.

• a short interval of Earth's history.

• a long interval of Earth's history.

Evolution occurring gradually and slowly over long periods of time

• Homeostasis

• Stasis

• Punctuated Equilibrium

• Gradualism

Evolution occurring quickly due to catastrophic events

• Homeostasis

• Gradualism

• Statsis

• Punctuated Equilibrim

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5