Free Printable Fossils

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Fossils

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name

Class

Date

Fossils provide clues to... (pg 213)

past geologic events, climates, and evolution of living things over time.

past weather, cloud cover, and changes in seasons.

recent events in human history.

the earliest development of the solar system.

(pg 213) Which term best matches this description: "The type of rock in which almost all fossils are discovered."

fossil

paleontology

sedimentary rock

igneous or highly metamorphosed rock

(pg 213) Which term best matches this description: "The study of fossils."

fossil

paleontology

sedimentary rock

igneous or highly metamorphosed rock

(pg 213) Which term best matches this description: "The remains or traces of plants that lived in a previous geologic time."

fossil

paleontology

sedimentary rock

igneous or highly metamorphosed rock

(pg 213) Which term best matches this description: "Rock type in which fossils are rare."

fossil

paleontology

sedimentary rock

igneous or highly metamorphosed rock

Why are most fossils found in sedimentary rocks? (pg 213)

The sediments that cover the fossils slow or stop the process of decay and protect the body of the dead organism from damage.

The intense heat and pressure of the sedimentary rocks "flash" preserves the fossil.

Sedimentary rocks are less likely to be destroyed by processes such as erosion.

Why are fossils so rare in igneous or highly metamorphosed rock? (pg 213)

Intense heat, pressure, and chemical reactions that occur during the formation of these rock types destroy most organic structures.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks are not exposed to the extreme conditions that sedimentary rocks can be exposed to.

Igneous and metamorphic rocks are very rare on Earth, only making up <1% of all rocks on Earth.

(pg 214) Which of the following best describes fossils?

Most dead animals will be preserved as fossils.

Very few organisms will be preserved as fossils.

Any hard part (such as bones and shells) will usually turn into a fossil.

Fossils preserve the original organism.

(214) What usually happens to dead plants or animals?

a. They become fossils.

b. They just stay where they are.

c. They are eaten by other animals or decomposed by bacteria.

d. Nothing happens to them.

10.

Pg 214 - Which type of organisms usually become fossils?

a. organisms that are buried quickly or protected from decay

b. organisms that are ignored by passing animals

c. organisms that live in water

d. organisms that do not have hard outer shells

11.

(pg 214) In general, what parts of organisms become fossils?

a. All parts are equally likely to be fossilized.

b. hard parts, such as wood, bones, shells, and teeth

c. soft parts, such as skin and organs

d. only very hard wood

12.

(214) Scientists study trace fossils to find

a. exactly what an animal looked like.

b. precisely what an animal weighed.

c. clues to an animal’s appearance and activities.

d. clues to what an animal ate.

13.

(pg 214) Which of the following is an example of a trace fossil?

a. an intact dinosaur tooth

b. a dinosaur’s footprint

c. a carbon film of a leaf

d. a spider in amber

14.

For what geological information are fossils an important source? (pg 213)

learning whether rock is sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic

finding the relative and absolute ages of rocks

seeing the erosion patterns on ancient rocks

learning whether rocks have intrusions or faults

15.

(214) A trace fossil is...

a. fossilized dung or waste materials from ancient animals, such as dinosaurs.

b. fossilized evidence of past animal movement such as tracks, footprints, borings, and burrows.

c. the carbonized residue of a leaf, stem, flower, or fish that was made in soft mud or clay.

d. the complete fossilized body of an ancient animal.

16.

What type of fossil is this?

cast

trace

mold

true form

Reset

Fossils

Total questions: 16

Worksheet time: 8mins

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