WorksheetsEarth History & Adaptations/Genetics Schoolnet
Total questions: 18
Worksheet time: 36mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which characteristic of an index fossil makes it MOST USEFUL in relative dating of rocks an other fossils?
a)
They are found only in a few areas.
b)
Their existence on Earth was brief.
c)
They are preserved in perfect condition.
d)
They are usually found in certain kinds of rock.
2.
An undisturbed rock geologic column has a fossil of a reptile species in the lowest rock layer, an index fossil that was present 1 million years ago in the middle rock layer and a fossil of a clam species in the topmost rock layer. Which conclusion is MOST LIKELY correct?
a)
The clam species is older than one million years old.
b)
The reptile species is older than one million years old.
c)
The index fossil is older than the reptile species fossil
d)
The clam species fossil is older than the reptile species fossil.
3.
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
4.
Fossils of the fern Glossopteris have been found in the continents of South America, Africa, Asia and Antarctica. The seeds of this fern were too small to be dispersed by wind. Which is best indicated by the presence of Glossopteris fossils on these continents?
a)
Golssopteris was versatile enough to adapt to all climates.
b)
The landmasses were joined together in prehistoric times.
c)
Fossils were much better preserved in the southern continents.
d)
The northern climate regions wer e not suitable for plant growth.
5.
What evidence do fossils provide geologists about the history of the Earth?
a)
Living things have remained the same over time.
b)
Environmental conditions have changed over time.
c)
The amount of water on Earth has changed over time.
d)
Environmental conditions have remained the same over time.
6.
If a fault cuts through multiple layers of rock, which is most likely true?
a)
An earthquake happened after the layers formed.
b)
An earthquake happened before the layers formed.
c)
An earthquake happened at the same time the layers formed.
d)
The timing of the earthquake is unrelated to when the layers formed.
7.
Which would most likely cause an entire species to become extinct?
a)
disease
b)
predators
c)
competition for food
d)
limited genetic variation
8.
Archaeologists are working in a previously undisturbed dig site. A fossil isfound at a depth of 5 meters, and a second fossil is found at a depth of20 meters. When comparing the two fossils, which conclusion can the archaeologists most likely make?
a)
The two fossils are from the same species of organism.
b)
The fossil found at 5 meters is older than the fossil found at 20 meters.
c)
The two fossils were from organisms which evolved from the same ancestral species.
d)
The fossil found at 5 meters is more similar to present-day organisms than the fossil found at 20 meters.
9.
Why is genetic variation within a species important for the survival of the species?
a)
It will likely result in larger individuals in the species.
b)
It will likely result in the species becoming predators.
c)
It will likely result in more intelligent individuals in the species.
d)
It will likely result in individuals in the species being able to adapt to their environment.
10.
Bird A can blend in with its environment, fly far, and eat a variety of nuts and seeds. Bird B is an unusually colored, weak flyer that eats only one type of seed regularly. Which statement is most likely true?
a)
Bird B is a powerful predator.
b)
Bird A will be easily preyed upon by larger birds.
c)
Bird A will eventually thrive and reproduce due to strong genetic variation.
d)
Bird B will eventually thrive and reproduce because of specialized features.
11.
Which best explains why the wing of a bat and the fin of a whale are similar?
a)
a mutation in nature that caused them to be similar
b)
a common ancestor between the bat and the whale
c)
a simple coincidence between the bat and the whale
12.
Which best describes the similar function of wings in birds and butterflies?
a)
embryological structures
b)
homologous structures
c)
analogous structures
d)
vestigial structures
13.
How are sedimentary rocks used to classify fossils that may beembedded in the rock layers?
a)
The composition of the rocks provides clues as to the size and shapeof the fossils.
b)
Rock samples are sorted by color to determine their relative age, andlikewise the age of the fossils.
c)
Rock layers are arranged in chronological order, with the deeper layersindicating older, less complex fossils.
d)
The texture of the rocks is used to identify the geographic area wherethe animals from which the fossils formed once lived.
14.
Which best demonstrates analogous structures in animals?
a)
cat fur and dog fur
b)
whale fins and human arms
c)
bird wings and insect wings
15.
Which is the best example of a trait that is unlikely to evolve in a desert habitat?
a)
keen sense of hearing
b)
thick layer of fat
c)
tan fur
16.
Which best illustrates how comparative anatomy supports the modern theory of evolution?
a)
Whales have finger bones in their fins.
b)
Alligators have eyes positioned to peek out just above the waterline.
c)
The African lion’s tan coat blends in with the environment, helping it to stalk prey.
d)
Koalas rarely need to drink because they get most of their water from the eucalyptus leaves they eat.
17.
If global warming increases, which animal is most likely to be selected against for survival?
a)
monkey
b)
polar bear
c)
grizzly bear
18.
Two organisms have homologous structures. Which can most likely beconcluded about the two organisms?
a)
They are unrelated.
b)
They are the same organism.
c)
They share a common ancestor.
d)
They evolved in a similar environment.
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