Earth History/Evolution CW

The diagram below shows several layers of rock and associated geologic features that have occurred throughout Earth’s history. Which sequence shows the order in which each rock layer or geologic event occurred? 

• S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

• S, T, V, W, X, Y, Z, U

• Z, Y, S, T, V, W, X, U 

• U, Z, Y, X, W, V, T, S

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

 Which of the fossils below would be considered the best index fossil? 

• ​​​​​​Fossil A due to the fact it is in more than one rock layer.

• Fossil B due to the fact it is in the same rock layer over many different outcrop .

• Fossil C due to the fact that it only appears in one rock layer in one outcrop.

• Fossil D due to the fact that it appears in multiple rock layers and outcrops.

Use the image below to answer the following question. Which statement below correctly uses evidence from the outcropping of rock layers to justify their idea.

• The igneous intrusion at location W and location Y happened at relatively the same time using the evidence of Fossil 1 being present in the layer above the intrusion. 

• Location Z has the oldest fossil using the evidence that Fossil 3 is found in the bottom layer and is below rock type C.

• Location Y has the youngest rock layer using the evidence that Fossil 4 is found in the top layer.

• The igneous intrusion at location W is younger than the igneous intrusion at location Y due to the evidence that Fossil 2 is found at one location but not the other location.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Use the diagram and information below to answer the following question. Monte Bolca is a town located high in the mountains of northern Italy.  This site is one the world’s largest deposits of coral reef fish fossils.  Over 160 different fish species have been found in this area.

These fossils can be used as evidence for which of the following statements. 

• A huge tidal wave pushed marine life up into the mountains for a short amount of time.

• Prehistoric man carried fish into the mountains from the sea into local streams.

• Fish swam upstream and made their home in mountain streams to find more food sources. 

• 
  This area of land was once part of the ocean floor before being uplifted to create the mountain range we see today.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

 Use the image of a cross-section of rock layers to answer the question below. Which of the following statements can be supported by evidence from the rock layers and fossils in those layers?

• The youngest layer has fish and shark teeth fossils so this area is currently under water.

• The youngest layer has plant and reptile species so this area is currently warm and has lots of precipitation.

• Over a long period of time this area has moved and been transformed by plate tectonics. 

• Over a long period of time the area has gone from being a terrestrial ecosystem to an aquatic ecosystem.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Scientists theorize that the ancient animal on the left is related to the modern animal on the right and has gone through many changes over time. How did the scientists conclude that the animal changed over time?

• by examining fossil records.

• by learning about natural selection.

• by studying deposition of sediments.

• by observing different types of rock formations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Scientists have discovered a fossil skeleton of a whale-like creature that lived in the early Eocene epoch. The skeleton shows an organism with large fore and hind limbs with distinct toes. Fossil skeletons of closely related species from later periods show organisms lacking hind limbs. Which conclusion does this observation best support? 

• Ancestors of whales had fewer bones than modern whales. 

• Whales and their ancestors have always been ocean dwellers. 

• Ancestors of whales may once have been able to walk.

• Whales and their ancestors have always been the largest living animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

 Use the information and the table below to answer the following question.

Mammals, birds, modern reptiles, and theropod dinosaurs are vertebrates.  The table below shows some of the differences and similarities among these groups of vertebrates. According to the table, which of these vertebrates are most closely related?

• mammals and modern reptiles

• theropod dinosaurs and modern reptiles

• mammals and theropod dinosaurs

• birds and theropod dinosaurs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

A scientist finds some fossils of an extinct species of fish.  Which of the following could he do by studying the fossils?

• He could discover what anatomical features the extinct species had, and he could discover similarities and differences between the features of the extinct fish and those of currently existing fish.

• He could discover what anatomical features the extinct species had, but he could not discover any similarities and differences between the features of the extinct fish and those of currently existing fish.

• He could discover similarities and differences between the features of the extinct fish and those of currently existing fish, but he could not discover what anatomical features the extinct species had.

• He could neither discover similarities and differences between the features of the extinct fish and those of currently existing fish, nor could he discover what anatomical features the extinct species had.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

On a small isolated island, there is a single species of seed-eating birds.  Individual birds are able to eat seeds that are within 2mm (larger or smaller) of their beak depth.  The distribution of individuals is shown in the figure below.

A long drought caused the plant species that produce seeds between 3-9 mm in size to go extinct.  What does the Theory of Natural Selection predict will happen to the population of seed-eating birds over time?

 

• 
  It will permanently shrink to approximately 25% of its current size.

• 
  It will diverge into two species: one that eats small seeds and one that eats large seeds.

• It will go extinct because there aren’t enough seeds to support all the individuals.

• It will adapt and the birds that ate the medium-sized seeds will learn to eat fish, insects, or other animals.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-4