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WorksheetsEarth History
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 12mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative age of a rock layer?
a)
trace fossil
b)
index fossil
c)
radioactive fossil
d)
unconformity fossil
2.
Which process would be most effective in determining the age of fossils embedded in rock?
a)
relative dating
b)
absolute dating
c)
use of index fossils
d)
use of core sampling
3.
By which method have scientists determined that the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old?
a)
plate tectonics
b)
relative dating
c)
radioactive dating
d)
law of superposition
4.
Which characteristic of carbon-14 dating helps scientists determine the approximate time a species became extinct?
a)
Carbon-14 is not present in more recent fossils
b)
Carbon-14 increases at a constant rate over time
c)
Carbon-14 decreases at a constant rate over time
d)
Carbon-14 can only be found in fossils of a certain period
5.
Which is the most accurate method scientists can use to estimate Earth's age?
a)
relativism
b)
superposition
c)
relative dating
d)
radioactive dating
6.
The index fossil of a type of trilobite is discovered in layer A of a set of rock layers found at three different sites of a field investigation. Which conclusion can be made about the rocks in layer A at all three sites?
a)
The rocks are all different ages
b)
The rocks are all about the same age
c)
The rocks were formed from melting magma
d)
The rocks were formed during a catastrophic event
7.
Which statement is true?
a)
The oldest layers of rock and soil are closest to the surface of the earth
b)
The youngest layers of rock and soil are farther away from the surface of the earth.
c)
Carbon-14 dating is an example of relative dating, and the law of superposition is an example of absolute dating.
d)
Absolute geologic dating and relative geologic dating are two methods used by scientists to determine the age of geologic evidence.
8.
Which method provides the most accurate age of a rock sample?
a)
superposition
b)
relative dating
c)
radioactive dating
d)
index fossil identification
9.
Which type of rock replaces bone and other hard organic materials to create rock molds of fossils?
a)
metamorphic
b)
sedimentary
c)
extrusive igneous
10.
Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can best determine
a)
when Florida collided with the North American continent.
b)
the date when organisms moved onto dry land.
c)
the period during which Florida was covered in water.
d)
when the atmosphere of Earth was more humid than it is today.
11.
Fossil remains of a trilobite are most likely to be found in which type of rock?
a)
igneous
b)
volcanic
c)
sedimentary
d)
metamorphic
12.
What role do faults play in the Law of Superposition?
a)
Faults create new types of rock.
b)
Faults are younger than the layers they cut through.
c)
Faults are the same age as the layers they cut through.
13.
Which theory does evidence found in sedimentary rocks best support?
a)
Most organisms from Earth's history still exist.
b)
Organisms have not changed significantly over time.
c)
All organisms from Earth's history have become extinct.
d)
Organisms have evolved from simple to complex forms.
14.
Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?
a)
Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth's age, much like the rings of a tree.
b)
In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rocks, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.
c)
In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.
d)
Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.
15.
Many fossils of large amphibians were found in an area that is currently barren desert. Which is most likely true?
a)
The climate of the area was once much wetter than it is now.
b)
Amphibians were once better at surviving in dry environments.
c)
The amphibians migrated there after a catastrophic event destroyed their habitats.
d)
The amphibians are not native to the area and their bones were brought there by other animals.
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