Fossil Discovery and Excavation Quiz

What did Wylie discover at the construction site in Texas?

• A rare mineral

• A turtle bone

• A piece of pottery

• A dinosaur bone

What is the primary method paleontologists use to find areas likely to contain fossils?

• Studying weather patterns

• Using metal detectors

• Studying geological maps

• Following animal tracks

Which type of rock is most likely to contain fossils?

• Igneous rocks

• Volcanic rocks

• Metamorphic rocks

• Sedimentary rocks

What unusual method can paleontologists use to test if a rock is a fossil?

• Tapping it with a hammer

• Licking it

• Smelling it

• Shining a light through it

What is the purpose of creating a map of the fossil site?

• To plan a construction project

• To document the position of fossils

• To find treasure

• To locate water sources

Why do paleontologists use smaller tools as they get closer to a fossil?

• To test the strength of the fossil

• To make the process more challenging

• To avoid damaging the fossil

• To save time

What is the purpose of the plaster jacket in fossil excavation?

• To make the fossil look better

• To protect the fossil during transport

• To identify the fossil

• To weigh the fossil

What challenge did paleontologists face with the Utahraptor Megablock?

• It was too small to find

• It was too fragile to move

• It was too heavy to flip over

• It was too deep underground

What tool is commonly used in the lab to remove rock from fossils?

• A hammer

• An air scribe

• A chisel

• A toothbrush

Why is assembling dinosaur fossil skeletons compared to solving a jigsaw puzzle?

• Because they are colorful

• Because they are easy to assemble

• Because they are made of cardboard

• Because they have many small, missing pieces