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Fossils/Geologic Time Scale

Total questions: 30

Worksheet time: 29mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

_____ shows the history of life as documented by fossils of the organisms from earlier geological periods preserved in sedimentary rock.

a)

The GTS

b)

The fossil news

c)

The fossil record

d)

The fossil list

2.

The remains, impressions, or traces of organisms from the remote past are called -

a)

petrification

b)

fossils

c)

paleon

d)

animicules

3.

Most scientists agree that fossils should be at least ___ years old.

a)

100

b)

1000

c)

10,000

d)

100,000

4.

The study of fossils across geological time, how they are formed, and how ancient organisms have evolved is called -

a)

fossilology

b)

paleontology

c)

geology

d)

entemology

5.

True or False: Most organisms turn into fossils when they die.

a)

True

b)

False

6.

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

a)

sediment

b)

water

c)

sap

d)

tar

7.

A ______________________ is a scientist who studies fossils.

a)

biologist

b)

chemist

c)

paleontologist

d)

astronomer

8.

Which conditions might lead to fossil formation? (Choose 3)

a)

Decomposition

b)

Getting buried quickly by sediment

c)

getting trapped in a tar pit

d)

getting eaten by another animal

e)

freezing in water

9.

True or False: Fossils have been found all over Earth.

a)
True
b)
False
10.

What type of fossil is the footprint pictured?

a)

body

b)

mold

c)

cast

d)

trace

11.

Footprints, nests, trails, feces, and burrows are examples of __ fossils.

a)

new

b)

body

c)

trace

d)

activity

12.

Bones, shells, teeth, leaf imprints are examples of __ fossils.

a)

new

b)

body

c)

trace

d)

activity

13.

Which is NOT a body fossil?

a)
b)
c)
d)
14.

Where are fossils usually found?

a)

water

b)

sedimentary rock

c)

metamorphic rock

d)

tar

15.

The bug was fossilized when it was trapped in __ which turned into amber.

a)

tar

b)

ice water

c)

sediment

d)

tree sap

16.

Fossils that provide evidence of the activities or behavior of ancient organisms

a)

trace

b)

body

c)

cast

d)

mold

17.

Fossilized body parts or organisms

a)

trace fossils

b)

organelle fossils

c)

organ fossils

d)

body fossils

18.

True or False: The first step of fossilization is that an animal must die.

a)

True

b)

False

19.

Step 2 of fossilization is that the dead animal must be ___.

a)

decomposed

b)

frozen

c)

buried

d)

found by a paleontologist

20.

Which step of fossilization is pictured?

a)

Step 2

b)

Step 3

c)

Step 4

d)

Step 5

21.

In which period are we currently living?

a)

Precambrian

b)

Quaternary

c)

Mesozoic

d)

Cenozoic

22.

Which era are we in right now?

a)

Cenozoic

b)

Mesozoic

c)

Archean

d)

Hadean

23.

What is a record of Earth's geologic history as scientists have come to understand it by studying the layers of rock?

a)

fossil record

b)

geologic record

c)

geologic time scale

d)

fossil/geologic time scale

24.

What is the correct order of divisions from largest to smallest?

a)

epoch, period, era, eon

b)

period, era, epoch, eon

c)

era, eon, period, epoch

d)

eon, era, period, epoch

25.

The part of the GTS pictured shows the Mesozoic Era. Write true or false about the following statement:

First mammals occurred during the Triassic Period.

a)

True

b)

False

26.

The part of the GTS pictured shows the Mesozoic Era. Write true or false about the following statement:

The Mesozoic Era began and ended with a mass extinction.

a)

True

b)

False

27.

The part of the GTS pictured shows the Mesozoic Era. Write true or false about the following statement:

Flying reptiles were first found in the Jurassic Period.

a)

True

b)

False

28.

Which epoch are we in right now?

a)

Cenozoic

b)

Quaternary

c)

Phanerozoic

d)

Holocene

29.

If the Geologic Time Scale were placed on a clock, humans would arrive at __.

a)

10:35

b)

11:49

c)

12 noon

d)

11:59

30.

What are the main three items that would be found on geologic time scale?

a)

Geological events

b)

Human history

c)

Climatic events

d)

Emergence and disappearance of organisms

e)

Building civilization