Geologic Time Scale and Earth's History Assessment

What is the primary purpose of the geologic time scale?

• To measure daily weather patterns

• To organize Earth's history chronologically

• To predict future geological events

• To calculate the age of fossils only

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How old is Earth according to scientific evidence?

• 2.3 billion years old

• 3.5 billion years old

• 4.6 billion years old

• 5.8 billion years old

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What type of rock layers provide the best evidence for studying Earth's history?

• Metamorphic rocks only

• Igneous rocks only

• Sedimentary rock strata

• Volcanic rocks only

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What principle states that younger rock layers are typically found above older layers?

• Principle of fossil succession

• Principle of superposition

• Principle of original horizontality

• Principle of cross-cutting relationships

Which of these represents the correct order of geological eras from oldest to newest?

• Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Cenozoic

• Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic

• Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

• Paleozoic, Cenozoic, Mesozoic

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What can scientists learn from studying rock strata?

• Only the age of rocks

• Only the types of minerals present

• Past climate conditions and life forms

• Future earthquake predictions

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which dating method is used to determine the absolute age of rocks?

• Carbon dating

• Relative dating

• Radiometric dating

• Fossil dating

What is an unconformity in rock strata?

• A gap in the rock record

• A type of fossil

• A volcanic deposit

• A mineral formation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How do index fossils help scientists study rock strata?

• They show the temperature of ancient oceans

• They indicate the relative age of rock layers

• They prove continental drift

• They measure radioactive decay

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is the name for the longest division of geological time?

• Era

• Period

• Epoch

• Eon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4