E.8.7.1 - E.8.7.4 Pre-Test

The diagram shows the front limbs of four different members of the horse family, based on the fossil record. They are arranged from the oldest to the most recent.

Which BEST describes how the front limbs of horses have changed over time?

• A. They have gained additional toes.

• B. The bones have become stronger.

• C. The toes have reduced in number.

• D. The bones have become shorter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A large number of species on Earth became extinct during a short time period about 65 million years ago. Based on this pattern of extinction, which is the MOST likely cause?

• gradual climate change

• continued climate stability

• sudden global climate change

• gradual ecosystem succession

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Some scientists believe that the mass extinction of dinosaurs was caused by the impact of a large meteorite on Earth. This impact would have caused a darkening of the sky due to dust blown into the upper atmosphere. This darkening would have reduced the sizes of some ecosystems because of

• longer seasons.

• accelerated erosion.

• reduced photosynthesis.

• increased number of hurricanes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

An incomplete diagram of the rock cycle is shown. Which terms should be placed in the boxes labeled 1, 2, and 3?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Scientists found a fossil of an elephant in the African savanna. It has much longer tusks and is much larger than elephant species presently inhabiting the area. This elephant fossil MOST likely reveals

• the diet of early elephants.

• that elephants travel in herds.

• the function of the trunk of the elephant.

• that physical changes occurred in elephants over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A scientist searches for fossils in sedimentary rocks. Which statement BEST explains why the scientist is more likely to find fossils in sedimentary rocks than in other rock types?

• A mold can form when an organism is buried in sediment.

• Most organisms live in areas where sedimentary rocks are found.

• Other rock types are difficult to examine compared to sedimentary rocks.

• Sedimentary rocks are the most common rock type on Earth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Over time, dried lava from an old volcano is worn down and broken into small pieces. When these pieces pile up and are cemented together to form new rock, how would this new rock be classified?

• magma

• igneous

• sedimentary

• metamorphic

Why are rapidly occurring environmental changes more likely to cause extinctions than slowly occurring changes?

• Slow changes allow time for adaptation.

• Rapid changes require little adaptation.

• Slow changes affect only small regions.

• Rapid changes have a global effect.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Scientists found trilobite and brachiopod index fossils in cliffs a great distance apart from each other. What can scientists infer about the rocks in which these fossils were found?

• the age of the rock

• the slope of the rock

• the density of the rock

• the weathering of the rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic Era or the beginning of the Mesozoic Era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?

• 100 million years old

• 225 million years old

• 400 million years old

• 550 million years old

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1