wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Fossils

Total questions: 107

Worksheet time: 1hrs 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Describes a group of living things that are no longer living.

a)

fossil

b)

extinct

c)

endangered

d)

dinosaur

2.

The hardened remains of a living thing that died long ago.

a)

fossil

b)

extinct

c)

endangered

d)

minerals

3.

Why are there more animal fossils than plant fossils?

a)

Animals are smaller than plants.

b)

Plants have harder bodies than animals.

c)

Plans have softer bodies than animals.

d)

Animals eat plants.

4.

Which type of fossil would look just like the body part of a once-living thing?

a)

mineral

b)

footprint

c)

cast

d)

petrified wood

5.

Which is an imprint fossil?

a)

bone

b)

a cast

c)

an animal track

d)

amber fossil

6.

Describes a group of living things that are no longer living.

a)

fossil

b)

extinct

c)

endangered

d)

dinosaur

7.

The hardened remains of a living thing that died long ago.

a)

fossil

b)

extinct

c)

endangered

d)

minerals

8.
Produced when sediments fill in a cavity made when an object decayed 
a)
cast
b)
mold
c)
original remains
9.
Cavity in a rock made when an organism decayed
a)
cast
b)
mold 
c)
original remains
10.
Principle that Earth's processes occurring today are similar to those that occurred in the past 
a)
unconformities 
b)
uniformitariansim 
c)
superposition 
11.
Process that uses the properties of atoms in rocks and other objects to determine their ages 
a)
relative dating
b)
radioactive decay 
c)
absolute dating
12.
Principle that states in a sequence of undisturbed rocks, the oldest rocks are on the bottom and the rocks become progressively younger toward the top 
a)
superposition 
b)
uniformitarianism
c)
half-life
13.
Gaps in rock records made when agents of erosion remove existing rock layers 
a)
fossils
b)
unconformities
c)
permineralized remains
14.
Method by which a geologist can calculate the absolute age of the rock by knowing the half-life of an isotope 
a)
radiometric dating
b)
relative dating
c)
absolute dating
15.
Time it takes for half of an isotopes atoms to decay 
a)
relative age 
b)
absolute age 
c)
half-life
16.
Fossil of thin layer of carbon atoms and molecules 
a)
original remains 
b)
carbon film
c)
trace fossil
17.
Formed when original material in skeletal remains are replaced by minerals 
a)
original remains 
b)
fossil
c)
permineralized remains 
18.
Method by which order of events or age of rocks is determined by examining the position of rocks in a layer 
a)
relative dating
b)
absolute dating
c)
radiometric dating
19.
Remains, imprints or traces of once-living organisms
a)
water
b)
superposition
c)
fossils 
20.
Process that occurs when the number of protons in an atom is changed and new element is formed 
a)
radioactive decay 
b)
radiometric dating 
c)
absolute age 
21.
Fossils of species that existed for  short periods and were widespread 
a)
trace fossils 
b)
index fossils 
c)
original remains 
22.
Correctly sequence the layers of rocks oldest to youngest 
a)
A,B,C,D
b)
D,C,B,A
23.
Correctly sequence the layers of rocks oldest to youngest 
a)
C,E,D,A,B
b)
C,E,D,A,B
c)
C,E, D,B,A
24.

A solid copy of the shape of an organism is...

a)

a fossil record

b)

a mold

c)

a carbon film

d)

a cast

25.

The gradual change in living things over time is..

a)

transition

b)

evolution

c)

age

d)

revolution

26.

Most fossils form when living things die and are buried by _______________ that hardens into rock over time.

a)

sediment

b)

people

c)

cement

d)

ants

27.

What type of fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms?

a)

molds and casts

b)

petrified fossils

c)

trace fossils

d)

carbon films

28.

An organism is ______________ if it no longer exits and will never live again on Earth.

a)

rare

b)

extinct

c)

plentiful

d)

missing

29.

What is an extremely thin coating of carbon on rock?

a)

sediment

b)

sap

c)

tar

d)

carbon film

30.

A hollow area in sediment in the shape of an organism or part of an organism is.....

a)

a cast

b)

a mold

c)

a trace fossil

d)

a petrified fossil

31.

A ______________________ is a scientist who studies fossils.

a)

biologist

b)

chemist

c)

paleontologist

d)

astronomer

32.

Scientist study the ____________________ to learn about the history of life, past environments on Earth, and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

a)

fossil record

b)

animal record

c)

historical record

d)

Earth record

33.

A ______________________ is a scientist who studies fossils.

a)

biologist

b)

chemist

c)

paleontologist

d)

astronomer

34.

Scientist study the ____________________ to learn about the history of life, past environments on Earth, and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

a)

fossil record

b)

animal record

c)

historical record

d)

Earth record

35.

Scientist study the ____________________ to learn about the history of life, past environments on Earth, and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

a)

fossil record

b)

animal record

c)

historical record

d)

Earth record

36.

A ______________________ is a scientist who studies fossils.

a)

biologist

b)

chemist

c)

paleontologist

d)

astronomer

37.

Scientist study the ____________________ to learn about the history of life, past environments on Earth, and how different groups of organisms have changed over time.

a)

fossil record

b)

animal record

c)

historical record

d)

Earth record

38.

Which of the following substances is not able to preserve entire organisms?

a)

sticky tar

b)

water

c)

amber

d)

ice

39.

The remains of an organism studied by scientists is called a ____________.

a)

paleontologist

b)

fossil

c)

dinosaur

d)

shark

40.

When something is _____________________ it no longer

exists.

a)

extinct

b)

preserved

c)

endangered

d)

rotting

41.

Which is NOT a reason scientists study fossils?

a)

They tell us how long a species existed on Earth.

b)

To learn how organisms are related to each other.

c)

How organisms communicated with each other.

d)

Fossils tell scientists the types of environments that organisms lived in.

42.

Which would be an example of a fossil?

a)

Sedimentary Rock

b)

Dinosaur Footprint

c)

Oyster Pearl

d)

Rotting Log

43.

Which rock type would be best to find fossils?

a)

Igneous Rock

b)

Sedimentary Rock

c)

Metamorphic Rock

44.

Which type of fossil is created when an organism gets trapped in tree resin?

a)

Trace

b)

Mold/Imprint

c)

Amber

d)

Cast

45.

Which is NOT a way an organism could become a fossil?

a)

It can be frozen in ice.

b)

It can be quickly buried in sediment after death.

c)

It can be trapped in the resin of a tree.

d)

It can be left out in the sun to decompose.

46.

An organism should be buried quickly after it dies if it has a chance of becoming a fossil

a)

True

b)

False

47.

How do scientists learn about dinosaurs?

a)

by studying fossils

b)

by reading about them

c)

by watching movies

d)

by looking at pictures

48.

Which is NOT a step in the process an organism goes through to become a fossil?

a)

Layers of sediment build up on the buried body.

b)

A organism dies and is buried quickly.

c)

Minerals fill the spaces of the decaying bone.

d)

An organism becomes extinct.

49.

Fossils can tell us how organisms communicated with each other.

a)

True

b)

False

50.
People who study fossils are called ____.
a)
meterologists
b)
fossilologists
c)
paleontologists
d)
fossil hunters
51.
In which kind of rock do we usually find a fossil?
a)
sedimentary  rock
b)
metamorphic rock
c)
igneous rock
52.
Where can the oldest layer be found?
a)
The top layer
b)
The middle layer
c)
They are all the same age
d)
The bottom layer
53.
Which layer formed first?
a)
Rock Layer W
b)
Rock Layer X
c)
Rock Layer Y
d)
Rock Layer Z
54.
If scientists found this fossil, what could they infer?
a)
what fish are like today
b)
that this fish lacked oxygen
c)
what kind of animal ate this fish
d)
that water once covered the area
55.
What is the correct order of the rock layers from oldest to youngest?
a)
F, E, C, B, A, D
b)
A, B, C, D, E, F
c)
F, E, D, C, B, A
d)
D, F, E, C, B, A
56.
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
57.
Look at the fossil above. Where would be the BEST place to find it?
a)
desert
b)
jungle
c)
near the ocean
d)
piedmont
58.
Look at the fossil above. Where would be the BEST place to find it?
a)
desert
b)
jungle
c)
near the ocean
d)
piedmont
59.
Which animal part would most likely form a fossil?
a)
Muscle 
b)
Fur
c)
Lung
d)
Bone 
60.
In order for a fossil to form, which of the following events must happen FIRST?
a)
Slowly, minerals in the water replace the bone.
b)
Sediment covers the bone.
c)
An animal dies.
d)
The bone is no longer a bone, but a rock copy.
61.
_____ is any living thing, plant or animal, even you!
a)
A paleontologist
b)
An organism
c)
A fossil
d)
A rock
62.
What happens when a group of animals become extinct?
a)
All of its members have died.
b)
Only a few of its members are still living.
c)
The animals can no longer lay eggs.
d)
All of its members move to another place.
63.
If scientists found this fossil, what could they infer?
a)
what fish are like today
b)
that this fish lacked oxygen
c)
what kind of animal ate this fish
d)
that water once covered the area
64.

What does petrified mean?

a)

turned to stone

b)

turned to fire

c)

decompose

d)

turned to ashes

65.

What happens to insects when they become trapped in amber?

a)

they form molds

b)

they are preserved (they stay the same)

c)

they decay

d)

they form casts

66.

Which statement BEST describes how the fossil bones of a dinosaur are formed?

a)

The dinosaur stepped in wet mud.

b)

The dinosaur was covered in sediment.

c)

The dinosaur became trapped in amber.

d)

The dinosaur was frozen in ice.

67.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a fossil?

a)

an insect stuck in amber

b)

a petrified dinosaur bone

c)

a seashell found on the beach

d)

a footprint captured in mud

68.

A paleontologist finds a fossil of a fish on top of a mountain. She can infer that the area was once ___________________________.

a)

much cooler

b)

underwater

c)

much warmer

d)

a desert

69.

Long ago, small organisms became trapped in sticky tree sap that hardened. What is the hardened sap called?

a)

a cast

b)

an imprint

c)

a mold

d)

amber

70.

The preserved remains of a plant or animal that lived long ago are called ____________.

a)

soil

b)

fossils

c)

rocks

d)

humus

71.

Scientists can study fossils to learn about

the ___________.

a)

past

b)

present

c)

future

d)

none of the above

72.

What most likely made this fossil?

a)

Plant

b)

Animal

c)

Footprint

d)

Bone

73.

What most likely made this fossil?

a)

Plant

b)

Animal

c)

Footprint

d)

Bone

74.

A fossil of a fish is found on top of a

mountain. You can argue that the area

was once

a)

underwater

b)

a desert

c)

much colder

d)

much warmer

75.

Over millions of years, trees may become fossilized when they turn into_____

a)

paper

b)

soil

c)

rock

d)

water

76.

Which is a fossil?

a)

bone from a chicken dinner

b)

a live plant

c)

the preserved remains of a plant or animal that lived long ago

d)

a piece of pottery

77.

The body parts of this fossil tell you that this animal _________.

a)

Flew

b)

Hopped

c)

Swam

d)

Crawled

78.

What is the correct listing of steps for a fossil?

a)

1) Pressure created a rock.

2) Plant or animal is buried.

3) Plant or animal is left alone for years.

4) Plant or animal dies.

b)

1) Plant or animal dies.

2) Plant or animal is left alone for years.

3) Pressure created a rock.

4) Plant or animal is buried.

c)

1) Plant or animal dies.

2) Plant or animal is left alone for years.

3) Plant or animal is buried.

4) Pressure created a rock.

d)

1) Plant or animal dies.

2) Plant or animal is buried.

3) Plant or animal is left alone for years.

4) Pressure created a rock.

79.

Scientists discovered the fossilized remains of an unidentified animal. They can tell from its remains that it had gills and fins, but no legs. What conclusion about the animal can they draw from the evidence?

a)

It was a land mammal.

b)

It lived in the water all the time.

c)

It had legs that did not fossilize.

d)

It lived in the water and on land.

80.

How did scientists first learn about dinosaurs?

a)

by studying their fossils

b)

by reading about them

c)

by watching movies

d)

by looking at pictures

81.

What must happen to an organism's body for it to become a fossil?

a)

It must remain above ground.

b)

It must dry out in the sunlight.

c)

It must be buried right after death.

d)

It must be eaten by other animals.

82.

Where are most fossils formed?

a)

near volcanoes, because the high heat of the lava helps to form fossils

b)

in glaciers, because fossils are created when an organism is frozen quickly

c)

in sedimentary rock, because being buried in sediment helps to form fossils

d)

near earthquakes, because the shaking ground traps organisms to create fossils

83.

Which type of scientist studies life that existed

long ago, mostly by studying fossils?

a)

biologist

b)

zoologist

c)

botanist

d)

paleontologist

84.

The picture shows a tooth fossil of the extinct

Megalodon shark next to teeth from a great white

shark, which is still found today.


Which of the following best explains the

difference in the size of the teeth?

a)

Sharks were once larger than the sharks that are living today.

b)

The fossilized tooth was filled with water, which made it grow in size.

c)

Sharks alive today do not live long enough to grow very large teeth..

d)

The fossilized tooth had extra sediment around it, which became a part of it

85.

Which feature helps the most to identify the organism as a plant?

a)

size

b)

color

c)

smell

d)

shape

86.

Which property of the leaf can be learned from

the fossil?

a)

the size of the leaf

b)

the color of the leaf

c)

how fast the leaf grew

d)

which animals ate the leaf

87.

What is the best explanation for the location of the fossil?

a)

This kind of fish was often eaten by land animals.

b)

This kind of fish had once lived on land.

c)

The area used to be filled with water.

d)

The area used to be very cold.

88.

The organism represented in this fossil

a)

fed mostly on fish and algae.

b)

moved by using many tiny legs.

c)

lived in an environment that required a hard shell for protection.

d)

had an internal skeleton that was used to maintain the organism's shape.

89.
Which statement is true about the fossil record?
a)
It is a record of all living things
b)
It shows how our climate has remained the same over time
c)
It provides evidence for history of life on Earth
d)
It does not support the theory of evolution
90.
An organism that no longer exists on Earth is called
a)
Decayed
b)
Evolved
c)
Extinct
d)
Preserved
91.
What type of fossil is this?
a)
Mold
b)
Cast
c)
Preserved remains
d)
Trace fossil
92.
What type of fossil is this?
a)
Trace fossil
b)
Mold
c)
Cast
d)
Carbon film
93.
What type of fossil is this?
a)
Mold 
b)
Cast
c)
Preserved remains
d)
Petrified
94.
What is the correct order of the rock layers from oldest to youngest?
a)
F, E, C, B, A, D
b)
A, B, C, D, E, F
c)
F, E, D, C, B, A
d)
D, F, E, C, B, A
95.
Fossils are usually found in 
a)
igneous rock
b)
extrusions
c)
intrusions
d)
sedimentary rock
96.
Which of the following is NOT an example of a fossil?
a)
a petrified dinosaur bone
b)
a footprint captured in mud
c)
a seashell found on the beach
d)
an insect stuck in amber
97.
Which of the following is NOT something you could learn from a fossil?
a)
The size of the animal
b)
What the animal ate
c)
The color of the animal
d)
Where the animal lived
98.
In order for a fossil to form, which of the following events must happen FIRST?
a)
Slowly, minerals in the water replace the bone.
b)
Sediment covers the bone.
c)
An animal dies.
d)
The bone is no longer a bone, but a rock copy.
99.
Why don't we know what many ancient plants looked like? 
a)
They had too many soft parts.
b)
They were all eaten by dinosaurs.
c)
There weren't ancient plants.
d)
They had too many hard parts.
100.
Where can the oldest layer be found?
a)
The top layer
b)
The middle layer
c)
They are all the same age
d)
The bottom layer
101.
How are fossils created?
a)
Traces of organisms get turned into stone.
b)
Dead organisms are quickly buried for millions of years.
c)
Animals get trapped.
d)
All of the above
102.
Which fossil layer is the youngest? 
a)
A. Layer A
b)
B. Layer B
c)
C. Layer C
d)
D. Layer D
103.
The Law of Superposition helps scientists to determine what?
a)
The absolute age of rock layers
b)
The age of fossils
c)
The relative age of rock layers
d)
the super powers of rocks
104.
Look at the diagram, what layer did animal E first show up in?         
a)
Layers #4
b)
Layers #5
c)
Layers #6
d)
Layers #7
105.
Which rock layer contains the newest fossils?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
C
106.
What is hardened tree sap called?
a)
coprolites
b)
index fossils
c)
gastroliths
d)
amber
107.
Which layer formed first?
a)
Rock Layer W
b)
Rock Layer X
c)
Rock Layer Y
d)
Rock Layer Z

Similar Resources on Wayground

PRIMER PARCIAL DE ECOSISTEMAS

102 questions

PRIMER PARCIAL DE ECOSISTEMAS

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

Density Review

103 questions

Density Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th Grade

Summative Questions

109 questions

Summative Questions

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th Grade

CFE Review

105 questions

CFE Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th Grade

Los seres vivos

106 questions

Los seres vivos

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 11th Grade

Science Junior 2

108 questions

Science Junior 2

quiz

Worksheet

•

KG - Professional Dev...

LEAP Review all contents

106 questions

LEAP Review all contents

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade

Semester 1 Review

108 questions

Semester 1 Review

quiz

Worksheet

•

6th - 8th Grade