NEW
Font size
WorksheetsGeologic History Test Review
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
The diagram below shows fossils and rock features.
How does intrusion X compare to the ages of the other rock layers and fossils in this geologic column?
Intrusion X is older than layers Y and Z.
Intrusion X is younger than all the layers.
Intrusion X is older than the clam and broadleaf fossils.
Intrusion X is younger than the broadleaf and fern fossils.
Which is true?
Layer W is older than intrusion X.
Intrusion X is younger than layers Z and Y.
The broadleaf fossil is older than the fern fossil.
The clam fossil is younger than the reptile bone fossil.
Which is younger than the broadleaf fossil?
layer Z
layer Y
fern fossil
intrusion X
Which is younger than the clam fossil?
layer Z
broadleaf
intrusion X
reptile bone
The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?
The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.
The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.
Layer R is older than Layer M.
Layer I is older than Layer B.
The rock layers below were dated using the radioactive decay method. If the layers have been undisturbed, which best represents their arrangement from bottom to top?
W, X, Y, Z
X, Y, W, Z
Z, W, Y, X
Z, Y, X, W
Based on the diagram, which is true?
Layer U is the oldest.
Layer Z is the youngest.
Layer T is older than layer S.
Layer X is older than layer Y.
A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram. Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers?
radiometric dating
rock type evaluation
the law of superposition
principle of uniformitarianism
Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?
The fossil at Point 3 is less common.
The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.
The fossil at Point 3 is older.
The fossil at Point 3 is more complex.
Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?
index fossils
law of superposition
radiometric dating
law of original horizontality
A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic era or the beginning of the Mesozoic era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?
100 million years old
225 million years old
400 million years old
550 million years old
The geologic map below shows several rock formations exposed when a road is cut through a hillside. Which formation in this geological map is youngest?
1
2
3
4
A section of a rock layer is shown. The evidence in these rock layers BEST support which conclusion?
The oldest fossils in this section of rock are trilobites.
Eurypterids are related to modern-day scorpions and crabs.
Eurypterids were the least common type of organism in this section of rock.
There is some overlap in the presence of brachiopods and ammonites on Earth.
A certain fossil (Y) is found in a layer of rock that lies between two index fossils, X and Z. Surprisingly, the older of the index fossils (Z) is found above the other fossils, suggesting that the rock layer has overturned. Which dating method is BEST to confirm the rock layer has overturned by determining the ages of these fossils?
anatomical comparison
gene sequencing
radiometric analysis
fossil depth measurement
Geologists use radiometric dating, the law of superposition, and index fossils to establish the ages of various rock layers in a formation. Why would a geologist use the law of superposition and index fossils to date a rock formation when radiometric dating is available?
Calculating ages using index fossils confirms evolutionary sequences.
Radiometric dating is inaccurate when used on sedimentary rocks.
Radiometric and fossil dating are only effective on organic matter.
The law of superposition gives the most specific dating information.
Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?
hot spots on ocean floors
seismic activity along plate boundaries
sediment buildup on continental slope
marine fossils found on land masses
Which of the following eras is known as the “Age of Mammals”?
Precambrian
Paleozoic
Mesozoic
Cenozoic
Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?
marine mammal fossil
swamp fern fossil
trace fossil
index fossil
Scientists estimate that if index fossils were deposited during a certain time frame, then the entire rock layer was also deposited at the same time. A scientist finds Trophite fossils. According to the chart above, in what era and period was this rock layer deposited?
Cenozoic era; Tertiary period
Mesozoic era; Triassic period
Paleozoic era; Permian period
Paleozoic era; Mississippian period
The Key Largo limestone makes up the islands of the Florida Keys. This rock layer formed between 2 million years ago and 10,000 years ago. It is composed of fossil coral, marine plant fossils, and fossil invertebrate shells. Which statement correctly explains why this rock layer is now above sea level?
Earth’s climate was colder at times during the past 2 million years.
Earth’s climate was warmer at times during the past 2 million years.
It has been pushed above sea level by volcanic activity during the past 2000 years.
It has been pushed above sea level by tectonic plate activity during the past 2000 years.
A complete fossil has been found of a type of bird that cannot be identified. What can MOST likely be determined about the bird from the fossil?
The bird lived for a very short time.
The bird lived in a dry environment.
The bird existed at one time but is now extinct.
The bird was not well preserved during the process of fossilization.
Paleontologists are scientists who study evidence of past life on Earth. Which method do paleontologists MOST likely use to determine the forms of life that existed millions of years ago?
examine current species of plants and animals
research past species in the library
interview older scientists
examine fossils records
Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can BEST determine
when Florida collided with the North American continent.
the date when organisms moved onto dry land.
the period during which Florida was covered in water.
when the atmosphere of Earth was more humid than it is today.
For many years scientists thought that dinosaurs rapidly replaced their ancestors. New information shows that dinosaurs and their non-dinosaur ancestors may have existed together for tens of millions of years. Which evidence MOST likely made it possible to support the idea that dinosaurs and their ancestors coexisted for millions of years?
Fewer fossils were found of amphibians than of dinosaurs.
More fossils found were of larger organisms than of dinosaurs.
Herbivore bones were found in each rock layer.
Bones of three different species were found in the same rock layer.
Which of these conditions would MOST likely be shown in the fossil record as a reason for mass extinctions?
increased competition for resources
falling sea levels and global cooling
organisms with beneficial traits
increased solar activity
Trilobites are extinct animals that lived in the oceans. Fossils of these animals can be found in dry areas such as Cincinnati. What does this indicate?
Trilobites now live underground.
Trilobites are the ancestors of jellyfish.
Cincinnati was once covered by the ocean where trilobites lived.
The environment changed, creating small saltwater lakes in Cincinnati.
Structural geologists study rock formations to determine the type of environment in which the rocks formed and the events that shaped the rocks. Paleontologists study fossils found in rock formations. Scientists in both these fields have a common interest in discovering the
history and processes of Earth.
elements that make up the crust.
types of minerals that make up sediments.
relationships between Earth and other planets.
