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8th Grade Unit 4 Review

Total questions: 107

Worksheet time: 2hrs 26mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which statement is true about fossils?

a)

Fossils have provided a complete history of Earth's life forms.

b)

Much of the evidence for evolution comes from fossils.

c)

A fossil never includes a complete organism.

d)

A fossil shows the evolution of an entire species.

2.

Which of the following statements does the fossil record support?

a)

Not all species that are alive today were alive in the past.

b)

Earth’s organisms have remained unchanged throughout its history.

c)

All organisms that have ever existed on Earth continue to live on Earth today.

d)

Dinosaurs are the only types of organisms that have become extinct.

3.

A reptile fossil has been found. It shows evidence of modified scales that look similar to bird feathers. What inference can be made based on this evidence?

a)

It shows a link between ancient reptiles and birds.

b)

The reptile species went extinct due to the evolution of birds.

c)

Reptiles evolved directly into birds.

d)

The reptile species was alive at the same time as birds.

4.

Which of the following levels is the most broad in the Linnean classification hierarchy?

a)

class

b)

kingdom

c)

domain

d)

species

5.

Which statement is TRUE about organisms classified as Eubacteria?

a)

they are all prokaryotes

b)

they are all eukaryotic

c)

they are all parasitic

d)

they are all multicellular

6.

In 1859, Charles Darwin proposed his theory of evolution based on natural selection. What observation about the natural world does this theory explain?

a)

how a species always retains its characteristics

b)

how the fossil record was formed

c)

how a species changes over time

d)

how catastrophic events lead to extinctions

7.

Some weed species have developed the ability to resist pesticides. How does the Theory of Evolution by natural selection help to explain this ability?

a)

Due to genetic variations, some weeds in the population had the ability to resist pesticides.

b)

The weeds developed pesticide-resistant variations because their survival depended on it.

c)

As the weeds evolved, natural selection resulted in an unfavorable variation in a population.

d)

In any population of weeds, some weeds will be naturally immune to all kinds of pesticides.

8.

The Theory of Evolution by natural selection states that certain organisms are more likely to survive and reproduce than others. What do these organisms possess in order to survive?

a)

adaptive traits

b)

large body size

c)

similar characteristics

d)

ability to reproduce sexually

9.

Which number on the illustration represents the species level?

a)

4

b)

1

c)

2

d)

3

10.

Adaptations in a population may lead to the evolution of new species.  Which word is MOST associated with the process of evolution?

a)

change

b)

continuity

c)

extinction

d)

stability

11.

What can lead to the extinction of a species if the environment changes?

a)

a lack of adaptations in the species that help individuals survive and reproduce in the changed environment

b)

having traits that enable the species to adapt to the changed environment

c)

an increase in the reproductive rate within the species

d)

the presence of genetic variations among the individuals of the species

12.

What group in Linnaeus' classification system is made up of different orders?

a)

class

b)

species

c)

family

d)

genus

13.

A species lives in a tropical rainforest where it feeds upon the vegetation. What is MOST LIKELY to cause this species to become extinct?

a)

The species produces offspring with few genetic variations.

b)

The species produces offspring with many genetic variations.

c)

The species produces more offspring after each mating season.

d)

The species produces offspring that also feed upon the vegetation.

14.

Which of the following correctly describes the words that make up an organism’s scientific name?

a)

genus and species

b)

class and order

c)

genus and phylum

d)

kingdom and phylum

15.

According to the law of superposition, the rock layers that contain fossils should be far below Earth’s surface. Which answer BEST explains why fossils are sometimes found at or near the surface?

a)

Some rock layers with fossils have been exposed because of different processes, such as faulting, folding, and weathering.

b)

Fossils are less dense than rock, so they rise to the surface.

c)

Fossils are moved to the surface by other organisms.

d)

Sedimentary rock layers are relatively soft, and new fossils sink through upper layers into older, deeper layers.

16.

Which layer in the diagram is the youngest?

a)

L

b)

N

c)

M

d)

Q

17.

The rock layers that make up the Grand Canyon range in age from 2 billion to 230 million years. What would a scientist need in order to compare the absolute ages of rocks from two different parts of the canyon?

a)

the amounts of radioactive elements in each rock

b)

the location of each rock

c)

the size and hardness of each rock

d)

the size of the crystals that make up each rock

18.

Imagine two rocks. One rock contains nearly all of its original potassium-40. In a second rock, most of the potassium-40 has decayed. Which statement about the first rock is TRUE?

a)

It is younger than the second rock.

b)

It is a metamorphic rock.

c)

It is harder than the second rock.

d)

It is older than the second rock.

19.

What does the term half-life mean when using radioactive dating to determine the age of fossils?

a)

Half-life is used to describe the amount of time it takes for half of a radioactive substance to decay.

b)

Half-life is used to describe half the amount of time it takes for a fossil to become radioactive.

c)

Half-life is used to describe half the amount of time it takes for an organism to fossilize in radioactive sediment.

d)

Half-life is used to describe the amount of geologic time represented by half of a horizontal layer in radioactive sediment.

20.

Scientists find a fossil of a fish on top of a mountain. What kind of evidence does the fossil provide scientists about the way this area might have changed over time?

a)

It shows that the mountain may have once been under water and raised up by natural processes.

b)

It shows that fish were once able to live without water.

c)

It shows that oceans can change quickly and become land.

d)

It shows that the animals found on the mountain today evolved from fish.

21.

Scientists theorize that hundreds of millions of years ago, all of the continents that exist today were combined into one landmass called Pangaea. What evidence do scientists have to support this theory?

a)

the fossil record

b)

the diversity of modern organisms

c)

water samples from every ocean on Earth

d)

temperature changes on Earth over the last several decades

22.

Assuming that the layers of sediment in a core sample were undisturbed, what is the BEST way to determine the age of a shark tooth fossil?

a)

Determine the age of the layer of sediment in which the fossil was found relative to other layers above and below it.

b)

Compare it to the teeth of modern sharks to see how different it is.

c)

Test the hardness of the fossil to determine how long it has been fossilizing.

d)

Examine the tooth’s surface to study microscopic evidence of the fossil’s age.

23.

Alfie’s cat purrs when he scratches its chin. He states this hypothesis: Scratching a cat’s chin causes the cat to purr. Which of these results FAILS to support his hypothesis?

a)

Alfie scratches the chin of several different cats, but only some of them purr.

b)

Alfie scratches the chins of ten cats that belong to his friends and observes that all of the cats purr when he does so.

c)

Alfie scratches his cat’s chin ten different times and the cat purrs each time.

d)

Alfie does not observe his cat purring unless he scratches its chin.

24.

Lateesha’s bicycle rusted when she rode it through saltwater. It did not rust when it got wet with rainwater. She believes that saltwater causes metal to rust faster than rainwater. Which of the following should take place before Lateesha can conclude that her hypothesis is supported?

a)

Lateesha should conduct several controlled experiments and obtain results that consistently support her hypothesis.

b)

Lateesha should conduct several controlled experiments that prove that her hypothesis is true.

c)

Lateesha should conduct several controlled experiments and throw out any results that fail to support her hypothesis.

d)

Lateesha should conduct one controlled experiment that produces results that support her hypothesis.

25.

Which of the following is the correct way to write the scientific name of a tiger using binomial nomenclature?

a)

Panthera tigris

b)

Panthera Tigris

c)

panthera tigris

d)

pantheratigris

26.
Mutations are important because they bring about
a)
death of the organism in which they develop
b)
genetic variation needed for a population to evolve
c)
benefits for the individual, not for the population
d)
Hardey-Weinberg equilibrium within a population
27.

What is the term for a feature that allows an organism to survive better in its environemtn?

a)

variation

b)

adaptation

c)

homologous structure

d)

vestigial structure

28.
What is the process in which humans breed organisms for certain traits?
a)
natural selection
b)
inheritance
c)
artificial selection
d)
descent withOUT modification
29.
Natural selection results in change over time by acting on traits that are
a)
heritable
b)
new
c)
mutated 
d)
better than the best
30.
To adjust to a changing environment
a)
Mutation
b)
Adapt
31.
What would indicate that a series of fossils represent evolution?
a)
the fossils were identical
b)
the fossils were found in the same layers of rock
c)
the fossils show similarities
d)
the fossils were completely different
32.
Surviving and reproducing show that an organism
a)
is adapting
b)
is not adapting
c)
is forming fossils
d)
is not reproducing
33.
The tree of life is a metaphor for what idea?
a)
we came from a common ancestor
b)
we need water and sunlight to survive
c)
we have multiple species
d)
we are old
34.
The gradual change in species over time is...
a)
Evolution
b)
Nucleotide 
c)
Adaptation
d)
Natural Selection
35.
Another word for adapt is ____________.
a)
change
b)
create
36.
Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better suited to the environment survive and reproduce therefore passing down their genes to their offspring? 
a)
Evolution 
b)
Variation 
c)
Adaptation
d)
Natural Selection 
37.
Darwin's expedition took how many years?
a)
3
b)
4
c)
5
d)
6
38.
Darwin's expedition was called the Voyage of the _________.
a)
Titanic
b)
Beagle
39.
This is the trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago, most commonly preserved in sedimentary rock.
a)
Competiton
b)
Extinction
c)
Evidence
d)
Fossil
40.
Who is the father of evolution?
a)
Darwin
b)
Mendel
c)
Newton
d)
Einstein
41.
What is another name for natural selection?
a)
survival of the smartest
b)
survival of the fastest
c)
survival of the biggest
d)
survival of the fittest
42.
Who said that geological forces acting today are the same ones that have been acting in the past?
a)
Lamarck
b)
Darwin
c)
Hutton
d)
Lyell 
43.
What is the study of the distribution of organisms around the world?
a)
geology
b)
biogeography
c)
paleontology
d)
geography
44.

Adaptations are:

a)

physical or behavioral tendencies.

b)

physical or behavioral characteristics that help an organisms survive and reproduce.

c)

physical or behavioral characteristics that do not help the organism in any way.

d)

genetic mutations that have gone wrong.

45.
Who was the first naturalist to study evolution?
a)
Charles Darwin
b)
Gregor Mendal
c)
Carolus Linneaus
d)
Thomas Edison
46.
This is a process by which organisms inherited advantageous traits that tend to reproduce more successfully than the other organisms do. 
a)
Artificial selection
b)
Natural selection
c)
Populations
d)
Environment
47.
This is a process in which organisms gradually change over time.
a)
Environment
b)
Competition
c)
Evolution
d)
Fossils
48.
This is a group of organisms of the same species that live in a specific geographical area.
a)
Environment
b)
Evolution
c)
Biological diversity
d)
Populations
49.
The surroundings and conditions in which an organism lives and operates.
a)
Evolution
b)
Population
c)
Environment
d)
Biological diversity
50.
These are natural differences within a species.
a)
Evolution
b)
Genetic variation
c)
Biological diversity
d)
Populations
51.
This is the variation of living organisms.
a)
Biological diversity
b)
Evolution
c)
Environment
d)
Natural selection
52.
This is an inherited trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.
a)
Evolution
b)
Population
c)
Environment
d)
Adaptation
53.
This is an ecological relationship in which two or more organisms depend on the same limited resource.
a)
Adaptation
b)
Competition
c)
Evolution
d)
Natural selection
54.
The death of every member of a species.
a)
Competition
b)
Population
c)
Extinction
d)
Evidence
55.
The availability of facts indicating whether a hypothesis is valid (true).
a)
Fossil
b)
Evidence
c)
Extinction
d)
Competition
56.
This is the trace or remains of an organism that lived long ago, most commonly preserved in sedimentary rock.
a)
Competiton
b)
Extinction
c)
Evidence
d)
Fossil
57.
When an organism completely dies out, it is called.....
a)
Adaption
b)
Extinction
c)
Fossilization
d)
Mutation
58.
The gradual change in species over time is...
a)
Evolution
b)
Nucleotide 
c)
Adaptation
d)
Natural Selection
59.
To adjust to a changing environment
a)
Mutation
b)
Adapt
60.
Darwin wrote that organisms with traits that are best suited to the environment will ________________
a)
increase in number
b)
become extinct
61.
What characteristic did Darwin observe about the finches on the Galapagos Islands?
a)
Their feathers 
b)
Genotypes 
c)
Their beaks
d)
Their body sizes
62.
Another word for adapt is ____________.
a)
change
b)
create
63.
Which term refers to the process by which individuals that are better suited to the environment survive and reproduce therefore passing down their genes to their offspring? 
a)
Evolution 
b)
Variation 
c)
Adaptation
d)
Natural Selection 
64.
The white feathers of a snowy owl allow it to blend in with its environment during the winter months (snow). This is an example of ________________
a)
Species
b)
Environmental Change
c)
Adaptation
d)
Variation
65.
Darwin referred to this as survival of the fittest. Over time, it results in changes in the inherited characteristics of a population because organisms with adaptations that make them fit for their environment will survive and reproduce better than those without favorable traits.
a)
Natural Selection
b)
Genetic Variation
c)
Survival of the Fittest
66.
Genetic differences between organisms of the same species
a)
Variation
b)
Adaptation
c)
Behavior
d)
Environment
67.
What is the advantage of having different shaped beaks?
a)
To look different from other species.
b)
To be able to eat the food readily available in the environment.
c)
To protect itself against predators.
d)
To protect itself against prey.
68.
The struggle for existence against other members of an organisms species is
a)
Competition
b)
Natural Selection
c)
gene flow
d)
genetic drift
69.
Darwin's expedition took how many years?
a)
3
b)
4
c)
5
d)
6
70.
Darwin's expedition was called the Voyage of the _________.
a)
Titanic
b)
Beagle
71.
Remains of ancient organisms are called
a)
Extinctions
b)
Fossils
c)
Mutations
d)
Variations
72.
Which of the following is NOT a factor that affects the process of natural selection?
a)
Overpopulation
b)
Fossils
c)
Competition
d)
Variations
73.
Who was the naturalist that traveled the world to study plants and animals?
a)
Albert Einstein
b)
Charles Darwin
c)
Charles Barkley
d)
Isaac Newton
74.
A well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations is called a(an):
a)
hypothesis
b)
experiment
c)
cause and effect
d)
scientific theory
75.
A group of similar organisms that can mate with each other and produce fertile offspring is called a species.  
a)
True  
b)
False
76.
Molds, yeast, and mushroom belong to kingdom:
a)
Eubacteria
b)
Archaebacteria
c)
Protista
d)
Fungi
77.
Tool used by a taxonomist to identify an unknown organism is a:
a)
dichotomous key
b)
binomial nmenclature
c)
scientific name
d)
binomial key
78.
A dichotomous key for trees is provided. Hikers found a tree that has large brown cones and single sharp needles. What species of tree have the hikers found?
a)
Juniper
b)
Pine
c)
Spruce
d)
Fir
79.
A dichotomous key for insects is given. To what order does an insect with two pairs of scaly wings belong?
a)
Coleoptera
b)
Heteroptera
c)
Diptera
d)
Lepidoptera
80.
A student discovers an arachnid with a segmented abdomen, long legs, and a tail with no stinger. The student uses the dichotomous key below to identify it. Which arachnid has the student found?
a)
Whip Scorpion
b)
Wind Scorpion
c)
Daddy long legs
d)
Scorpion
81.
An illustration and a dichotomous key are given. What is the correct classification for this organism?
a)
Class Insecta
b)
Order Amblygygi
c)
Order Araneae
d)
Order Scorpiones
82.
A labeled diagram of a fiddler crab is provided. Which of the following is an accurate observation of the structures of a fiddler crab? Fiddler crabs have -
a)
five pairs of walking legs on each side.
b)
an enlarged propodus on both front legs.
c)
a pair of eyes on stalks at the top of the body.
d)
two pairs or chelipeds for a total of four.
83.
What step do we always start with when using dichotomous keys?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
84.
The 8 levels of classification, most broad to most specific.
a)
Domain, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Species
b)
Domain, Species, Kingdom, Genus, Phylum, Family, Class, Order
c)
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
d)
Order, Kingdom, Species, Domain, Phylum, Family, Class, Genus
85.
The first part of a scientific name is an organism's _______________ and the second part is its ________________.
a)
species, genus
b)
phylum, order
c)
class, spices
d)
genus, species
86.
In the energy pyramid here, which organisms have the most energy available? 
a)
Producers
b)
Carnivores
c)
Herbivores
d)
Top Predator
87.
The scientific name for an organism is made from the:
a)
class and family name
b)
genus and species name
c)
domain and kingdom name
d)
kingdom and phylum name
88.
Term given to describe the 2 name naming system is:
a)
dichotmous key
b)
binomial nomenclature
c)
2 scientific names
d)
binomial key
89.
The 8 levels of classification, most broad to most specific.
a)
Domain, Genus, Family, Order, Class, Phylum, Kingdom, Species
b)
Domain, Species, Kingdom, Genus, Phylum, Family, Class, Order
c)
Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species
d)
Order, Kingdom, Species, Domain, Phylum, Family, Class, Genus
90.
Who first proposed binomial nomenclature as a way of classifying organisms?
a)
Carolus Linnaeus
b)
Carl's Jr.
c)
Charles Darwin
d)
Henry Groseclose
91.
What is the most specific level of classification?
a)
Family
b)
Domain
c)
Species
d)
Carolus Linnaeus
92.
Members of this kingdom never have a cell wall
a)
Animalia
b)
Plantae
c)
Archaebacteria
d)
Protista
93.
In a dichotomous key, each question contains four choices.
a)
TRUE
b)
FALSE
94.
The grouping, Genus is just before the most specific category.
a)
TRUE
b)
FALSE
95.
Which kingdom do humans belong to?
a)
Plantae
b)
Fungi
c)
Animalia
d)
Protista
96.

At the end of this era, multi-cellular organisms like sponges, jellyfish and worms filled the oceans.

a)

Precambrian Era

b)

Paleozoic Era

c)

Mesozoic Era

d)

Cenozoic Era

97.

90% of Earth’s history occurred during which era?

a)

Precambrian

b)

Paleozoic

c)

Mesozoic

d)

Cenozoic

98.

The dinosaurs and reptiles were dominant in which Era?

a)

Precambrian

b)

Mesozoic

c)

Paleozoic

d)

Cenozoic

99.

Scientists chose where units of geologic time began and ended based on the appearance or disappearance of life.

a)

true

b)

false

100.

Which era is the most recent, the one that we are currently in?

a)

Mesozoic

b)

Paleozoic

c)

Cenozoic

d)

Precambrian

101.

What are the four eras in order from OLDEST to NEWEST?

a)

Pre-Cambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Cenozoic

b)

Pre-Cambrian, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Cenozoic

c)

Cenozoic, Mesozoic, Paleozoic, Pre-Cambrian

d)

Mesozoic, Pre-Cambrian, Cenozoic, Paleozoic

102.

How old do Paleontologists believe the Earth is?

a)

2019 years old

b)

3.6 billion years old

c)

4.6 billion years old

d)

4.6 million years old

103.

What era did the formation of the earth occur?

a)

Paleozoic

b)

Precambrian

c)

Cenozoic

d)

Cambrian

104.

Mammals are a dominant group in which era?

a)

Cenozoic

b)

Mesozoic

c)

Paleozoic

d)

Cambrianozoic

105.

The earth is ______________of years old

a)

Hundreds

b)

Millions

c)

Billions

d)

Trillions

106.

What type of event usually marks the end of an Era

a)

A Mass Extinction

b)

A Quinceanera

c)

An earthquake

d)

A Volcanic Eruption

107.

What era did trilobites, fishes, and other marine organisms dominate?

a)

Precambrian

b)

Paleozoic

c)

Mesozoic

d)

Cenozoic

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