Fossils

How is it possible for a fossil of an ocean creature to be discovered in a layer of mountain rock?

• Water on early Earth was once as high as most of today's mountains.

• A seagull carried the fossil away and eventually left it high on a mountain top.

• The fossil was located on a part of earth's surface that was compressed upward and formed a mountain.

• Lava from a volcano flowed over and uncovered the fossil.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which of these conditions makes fossil formation more likely to happen?

• The organism is composed mainly of soft tissue.

• The organism is attacked by scavengers.

• The organism is invaded by bacteria and fungi.

• The organism contains some distinct hard parts.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of the following is a fossil?

• dead mouse in the grass

• bird footprints in the sand

• a decaying log in the forest

• giant fern imprints in coal

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

If you found this fossil while digging around, what organism would you guess it came from?

• fish

• lizard

• porcupine

• iguana

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Here are examples of fossils commonly seen in Big Bend National Park in west Texas. What does the presence of these fossils suggest about the past climate in the area where Big Bend National Park is located?

• The area was covered by a glacier in the past.

• The area was covered by an ocean in the past.

• The area had much higher rainfall in the past.

• The area was much warmer in the past.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

This is a trace fossil.

Which of the following can also become trace evidence of prehistoric animals?

• calls

• voice

• burrows

• soft organs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

In the picture of sedimentary rock, the oldest fossils are found in which layer?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

When an insect has been trapped in amber and is preserved, this forms what type of fossil?

• an imprint fossil

• a cast fossil

• a mold fossil

• an intact fossil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Look at the pictures of rock layers with fossils.

Which fossils are most likely the oldest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3