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Relative and absolute dating review activity

Total questions: 45

Worksheet time: 2hrs 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
The statement that the oldest layer will be at the bottom in an undisturbed sequence of rock layers is called the Principle of ....
a)
Inclusions
b)
Unconformities
c)
Cross-Cutting Relationships
d)
Superposition
2.
The Principle of Cross-Cutting Relationships states that an igneous intrusion is 
a)
always younger than the layers it cuts across
b)
always older than the layers it cuts across
c)
the same age as the rock it melted
d)
none of the answers are correct
3.
Relative age dating is used to determine the...
a)
actual age of an event
b)
length of time between two events
c)
age of one event in comparison with other events
d)
rate at which a gologic process occurs
4.
Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
A, B, C, D, E
b)
E, B, C, D, A
c)
E, D, C, B, A
d)
C, B, A, D, E
5.
The age of a rock compared to the ages of other rocks is the rock's
a)
absolute age
b)
geologic age
c)
sedimentary age
d)
relative age
6.
The number of years that have passed since the rock formed is the rock's
a)
relative age
b)
law of superposition
c)
absolute age
d)
index fossil
7.
Letter "F" is a....
a)
inclusion
b)
intrusion
c)
fault
d)
unconformity 
8.
Choose the correct order of relative ages for the rock layers below, starting with the youngest, and finishing with the oldest layer.  
a)
A, E, B, C, D
b)
A, B, C, D, E
c)
E, A, D, C, B
d)
E, D, C, B, A
9.
Which is the most accurate form of absolute dating?
a)
radiometric dating
b)
erosion rate
c)
deposition rate
d)
index fossils
10.
The time it takes for half of a radioactive isotopes to decay into stable isotopes is called the
a)
isotope decay
b)
radiometric dating
c)
half life
d)
absolute age
11.
How is radioactive dating used to determine the absolute age of rocks?
a)
The percent of radioactive parent isotopes remaining in the rock is compared to the amount of stable daughter isotopes that are present
b)
it compares the radioactive isotope in a younger layer of rock to an older layer
c)
isotopes of different compounds are compared
d)
daughter isotopes are compared to sister isotopes
12.

Scientists use radiometric dating (radioactive decay) to measure...

a)

relative time (dating)

b)

absolute time (dating)

c)

half-lives

d)

time of day

13.

Scientists use radiometric dating (radioactive decay) to measure...

a)

relative time (dating)

b)

absolute time (dating)

c)

half-lives

d)

time of day

14.
How does absolute age differ from relative age?
a)
only absolute dating indicates which rock is older than another
b)
only absolute dating finds the age in years
c)
only relative dating finds the age in years
15.
According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found 
a)
At the top of the rock layers
b)
Near the bottom of the rock layers
c)
In the middle of the rock layers
d)
Somewhat near the surface
16.
Which type of dating method can be used on rock layers by applying the Law of Superposition?
a)
relative dating
b)
absolute dating
c)
radioactive dating
d)
radiometric dating
17.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)
Intrusion D
c)
Intrusion H
d)
Layer E
18.
Which of the following correctly lists the layers in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
A, B, C, D, E
b)
E, B, C, D, A
c)
E, D, C, B, A
d)
C, B, A, D, E
19.

Layer B on side #1 (left) is a match to which layer on side #2 (right)?

a)

z

b)

y

c)

w

d)

there is no match

20.
According to the law of __________, in horizontal sedimentary rock layers the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top. 
a)
Superposition
b)
Index Fossil
c)
Alfred Wegener
d)
Geologic Records
21.

A break in the geologic record that is made when rock layers are ERODED over a long period of time

a)

superposition

b)

relative dating

c)

unconformity

d)

cross-cutting

22.

What is the law of superposition?

a)

The age of sedimentary rock not found in the original layers.

b)

Metamorphic rock is younger than the nearby igneous rock.

c)

Sedimentary rock in it's original position is older than layers above it.

d)

Metamorphic rock is older because it was deposited to nearby sedimentary rock.

23.

Analyze the seashell found in the white layer. Which statement is true of the rock layer that contains this fossil?

a)

It could also contain a fossil from the bottom layer.

b)

It is older than the layers below it.

c)

It is younger than the layers above it.

d)

It is older than the layers above it.

24.

What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?

a)

Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone

b)

Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone

c)

Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone

d)

Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt

25.

Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?

a)

F

b)

B

c)

E

d)

A

26.

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

a)

F

b)

B

c)

E

d)

A

27.

How does sedimentary rock usually form?

a)

Vertically

b)

Folding

c)

Diagonally

d)

Horizontally

28.

Layer B on side #1 (left) is a match to which layer on side #2 (right)?

a)

z

b)

y

c)

w

d)

there is no match

29.

Is intrusion V older or younger than layer W?

a)

younger

b)

older

30.

What is the correct order of the rock layers from oldest to youngest?

a)

B, C, D, E, A

b)

E, D, C, B, A

c)

A, B, C, D, E

d)

B, C, D, A, E

31.

What law states that any geologic feature that cuts across other layers is younger than layers it cuts across?

a)

Law of superpostion

b)

Law of layers

c)

Law of inclusion

d)

Law of crosscutting

32.

Unstable atoms that decay (change) and are considered radioactive

a)

Isotope

b)

Half-Life

c)

Absolute Dating

d)

Radiometric Dating

33.
How does absolute age differ from relative age?
a)
only absolute dating indicates which rock is older than another
b)
only absolute dating finds the age in years
c)
only relative dating finds the age in years
34.
Which type of dating method can be used on rock layers by applying the Law of Superposition?
a)
relative dating
b)
absolute dating
c)
radioactive dating
d)
radiometric dating
35.
Which of the following is the oldest?
a)
Layer L
b)
Intrusion D
c)
Intrusion H
d)
Layer E
36.
According to the law of __________, in horizontal sedimentary rock layers the oldest layer is at the bottom and the youngest layer is at the top. 
a)
Superposition
b)
Index Fossil
c)
Alfred Wegener
d)
Geologic Records
37.

Absolute age is defined as:

a)

The age of rock determined by radiometric dating.

b)

The age of rock based on living animals.

c)

The age of rock based on its location.

d)

The age of rock determined by relative dating.

38.
By saying: "I am older than my sister," is an example of which type of dating used in Geology:
a)
Relative Age/Dating
b)
Absolute Age/Dating
c)
Chronological Sibling Timelies
d)
Fossil Age/Dating
39.

By saying "my dad is 48 and I am 13", it would be...

a)

relative dating (time)

b)

absolute dating (time)

c)

law of superposition

40.

What part of an organism is most likely to become a fossil?

a)

heart

b)

bones

c)

skin

41.
How does the law of crosscutting explain the age of a fault?
a)
The fault is younger than the rocks above it.
b)
The fault is younger than the rocks it cuts through.
c)
The fault is older than the rocks above it.
d)
The fault is older than the rocks it cuts through.
42.

What is the last event to happen?

a)

Deposition of Breccia

b)

Igneous Intrusion

c)

Faulting

d)

Deposition of Limestone

43.
Traces or remains of organisms that lived long ago
a)
Fossil
b)
Unconformity
c)
Superposition
d)
Column
44.
The best index fossils have which two traits?
a)
widespread geographically, long lifespan
b)
widespread geographically, short lifespan
c)
specific place, long lifespan
d)
specific place, short lifespan
45.

Uses radioactive elements near the fossils to determine the actual age of the fossils.

a)

Relative Dating

b)

Absolute Dating

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