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Fossil Record- Energized for STEM Academy, Inc - Printable Science Worksheets 9th - 9th Grade - Wayground

Fossil Record- Energized for STEM Academy, Inc

Glen Mar Legatob

By Glen Mar Legatob

10 questions

9th - 9th Grade

Science

11 plays

Updated Dec 2022

Fossil Record- Energized for STEM Academy, Inc is a free printable Grade 9 biology worksheet that builds students’ understanding of how scientists use fossil, anatomical, molecular, and embryological evidence to explain evolution. Students identify punctuated equilibrium, gradualism, stasis, adaptive radiation, natural selection, common ancestry, and evolutionary change over time. The worksheet includes six multiple-choice questions, three fill-in-the-blank items, and one multiple-select question. Students interpret a DNA comparison table to determine relative relationships among primates, analyze fossil-track data, and use an evolutionary diagram of horses to identify gradual change. It is designed for biology instruction, review, or formative assessment and includes a complete answer key for checking student understanding.

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Fossil Record- Energized for STEM Academy, Inc

Total questions: 10

Name
Class
Date
1.

Two scientists studied patterns of evolution in the fossil record. Many species they analyzed showed periods of slow changes interrupted by a period of rapid change.

This pattern of periods of slow change interrupted by periods of rapid change with few, if any transitional fossils, best describes the theory of __________.

a)

punctuated equilibrium

b)

natural selection

c)

genetic drift

d)

gene flow

2.

After examining the fossil record, scientists have determined that scorpions today are much smaller than their extinct ancestors. For example, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, a giant scorpion species lived 225 million to 460 million years ago, was 2.5 meters long.

Which of the following conclusions is supported by this information?

a)

Scorpions have changed as a result of natural selection.

b)

Scorpions living today have increased their numbers since they first appeared.

c)

Scorpions in the fossils record are smaller than their descendants are.

d)

Scorpions do not appear in their original state in the fossil record.

3.
Identify the type of mutation illustrated.

Identify the type of mutation illustrated.

(a)  

4.
The duck-billed platypus is a special type of mammal called monotreme. Monotremes lay eggs to reproduce. Bottlenose dolphins…

The duck-billed platypus is a special type of mammal called monotreme. Monotremes lay eggs to reproduce. Bottlenose dolphins are also mammals, but they give birth to live young.

The fact that both of these organisms nurse their young with mammary glands provides evidence that they ____________.

a)

descended from a common ancestor.

b)

have similar diet.

c)

have similar bone structures.

d)

originated at about the same time.

5.
Molecular homologies are a type of evidence used to infer how closely related two species are. The table below shows data on…

Molecular homologies are a type of evidence used to infer how closely related two species are. The table below shows data on the differences in the DNA base sequences of the same gene in pairs of species of primates.

Based on the data, which non-human primates are the LEAST relative of humans?

Select TWO answers.

a)

Monkey

b)

Gibbon

c)

Chimpanzee

d)

Orangutan

e)

Lemur

6.

Several processes play roles in the evolution of populations and species. Which of these processes is necessary for the evolutionary change called adaptation to occur?

a)

Competition

b)

Genetic Drift

c)

Overproduction

d)

Natural Selection

7.

What kind of evolution do the Galapagos finches follow when they evolve from one common ancestor to several species that are very different?

(a)  

8.
The graph shows the number of taxa of reptiles whose fossilized tracks have been found. Which statement is BEST supported by…

The graph shows the number of taxa of reptiles whose fossilized tracks have been found.

Which statement is BEST supported by these data?

a)

A great extinction occurred during the Jurassic Period.

b)

Competition for food and shelter among reptile species was very low during the Triassic Period.

c)

Environmental conditions for speciation were most favorable for reptiles during the Permian Period.

d)

Reptiles adapted to a terrestrial environment during the Cretaceous Period.

9.

When the structure of a species in the fossil record doesn't change over a long period of time is known as (a)   .

10.
The diagram shows on the evolution of horses. The data in the diagram is evidence that ________________.

The diagram shows on the evolution of horses.

The data in the diagram is evidence that ________________.

a)

horses slowly developed over time.

b)

a new species of horse suddenly appeared.

c)

horses have similar stages of rapid embryological development.

d)

horses have a common ancestry with other hooved animals.

WaygroundAnswer Key

Fossil Record- Energized for STEM Academy, Inc

Total questions: 10

1.
a)

punctuated equilibrium

2.
a)

Scorpions have changed as a result of natural selection.

3.
gradualism, gradual, Gradualism , GRADUALISM
4.
a)

descended from a common ancestor.

5.
a)

Monkey

, b)

Gibbon

6.
d)

Natural Selection

7.
Adaptive Radiation, adaptive radiation
8.
a)

A great extinction occurred during the Jurassic Period.

9.
stasis, Stasis, STASIS
10.
a)

horses slowly developed over time.

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FAQs

What does this fossil record worksheet help Grade 9 students learn?

This worksheet helps students interpret fossil and biological evidence to identify evolutionary patterns such as punctuated equilibrium, gradualism, stasis, and adaptive radiation. Its six multiple-choice, three fill-in-the-blank, and one multiple-select question also require students to connect natural selection, common ancestry, molecular homologies, fossil-track data, and an evolutionary horse diagram to explanations of change over time.

How can I use this worksheet to teach evolutionary patterns in the fossil record?

Introduce the vocabulary—punctuated equilibrium, gradualism, stasis, and adaptive radiation—before students complete the fill-in-the-blank items. Then have students justify their answers to the fossil-track graph, primate DNA table, and horse-evolution diagram by identifying which evidence supports extinction, relatedness, or gradual change.

What mistakes should I watch for when students complete this fossil record worksheet?

Students may confuse punctuated equilibrium with gradualism, or overlook that stasis describes little structural change over a long period. When reading the molecular homology table, they may select the primates most closely related to humans instead of the two with the greatest DNA differences, and they may choose an unsupported explanation when interpreting the fossil-track graph or horse-evolution diagram.

How do I assign and grade this fossil record worksheet?

This worksheet is available as a printable PDF and as a digital quiz on Wayground, with a complete answer key for the multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple-select items. For printable submissions, you can grade student work by scanning it with the Wayground for Teachers app.

How can I differentiate this fossil evidence worksheet for my students?

In the worksheet’s Advanced Settings, adjust font spacing and font size to make the evolutionary vocabulary, data table, and diagrams easier to read. You can also apply a dyslexia-friendly font or translate the worksheet into another language while keeping the fossil-record question formats intact.

Where can I find more worksheets like this on Wayground?

Wayground offers a comprehensive collection of free printable worksheets and practice problems across all subjects, with downloadable PDFs and answer keys to support essential skills and concepts. Browse more resources at https://wayground.com/en-us/worksheets.

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