Fossils

Which of the following is an example of a body fossil?

• A perfect mold of a dinosaur bone

• A carbon print left by a leaf

• A skull of a mammoth that fell into a tar put

• A dinosaur footprint

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Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil?

• A skeleton preserved in a tar pit

• A footprint of an extinct animal

• A mummy buried in ice

• An insect preserved in amber

Why are deserts, tar pits, & ice good places to find a body fossil?

• Most ancient organisms lived in these environments

• Bacteria & other decomposers cannot thrive in these environments

• Many ancient organisms traveled to these places to die

• The largest ancient organisms lived in these environments

In order to form a fossil, an organism must usually ______ quickly after it dies.

• Decompose

• Go extinct

• Rot

• Be buried

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What can you conclude from the fact that so many fossils involve shells, skeletons, and teeth?

• Most organisms on earth have shells, skeletons, or teeth.

• Bacteria and decomposers consume these parts first after an animal dies.

• These parts decay slower than other body parts.

• These parts are more likely to be buried in ice than other body parts.

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Although a cast fossil looks like an original bone or shell, how is it different?

• It's made of rock.

• It contains skin, hair, & other remnants.

• It has been liquefied.

• It is completely colorless.

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A mold fossil is most similar to:

• An eggshell with no egg inside.

• A replica of your teeth made at the dentist's office.

• A bone your dog buries in your backyard.

• An insect trapped in tree sap.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What can you infer from the fact that fossil fuels are carbon-based?

• Over time, flesh turns into carbon.

• Most life on earth is made from carbon.

• Trees are made from carbon, but animals are not.

• Swampy environments are carbon-poor environments.

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What two forces can turn fossils into fossil fuels?

• Lift & thrust

• Wind & rain

• Temperature & pressure

• Motion & time

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

Why are the remains of ancient organisms buried so deeply within the earth? Choose the best answer.

• They were swallowed up by major earthquakes.

• Most ancient organisms lived underground.

• They were buried by the meteor strike that killed the dinosaurs.

• They were buried by natural processes.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

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