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Extinctions

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The "Cambrian Explosion" is a term used to describe which of the following?

a)

An explosion that caused many animals to go extinct 65 million years ago

b)

An explosion that led to decrease in oxygen on Earth 200 million years ago

c)

A significant increase in the variety of different life forms on Earth

d)

A significant decrease in the variety of different life forms on Earth

2.

Fossils that show body structures that are found in both ancestral species and in its descendants are called what?

a)

Traditional Fossils

b)

Transitional Fossils

c)

Half-Point Fossils

d)

Ancestral Fossils

3.
According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
4.

If scientists found this fossil in a desert, what could they infer?

a)

what fish are like today

b)

that this fish lacked oxygen

c)

that water once covered the area where this fossil was found

5.

Organisms D and C clearly lived in an aquatic (water) environment. Organism A does not look like it lived in the water. What is the most likely explanation for this?

a)

The fossil in layer A died on land and was carried to the water

b)

The fossils in layer C and D did not live in the same location as the fossil in layer A

c)

The environment changed over a long period of time. It used to be under water, but is not anymore

6.
In what type of rock would you typically find fossils?
a)
igneous
b)
metamorphic
c)
sedimentary
d)
rocky
7.
Most fossils form from animals or plants that once lived in or near _____________
a)
deserts
b)
ice tundras
c)
water
d)
forrests
8.
There have been _____ mass extinction events in Earth's history.
a)
3
b)
4
c)
5
d)
2
9.

According to most scientists, what is the ultimate cause of most mass extinctions?

a)

overhunting

b)

evolution of new species to replace old ones

c)

major change in environment or climate

d)

asteroid impact

10.
What word do we use to describe a species which has no members still living?
a)
endangered
b)
extinct
11.

Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the environment of Earth has changed over millions of years?

a)

active migration of sand dunes

b)

marine (water) fossils found on top of mountains

c)

polished appearance of rock surfaces

d)

none of the above

12.

Scientists theorize that the ancient horse on the left is related to the modern horse on the right. The scientists theorize that the horse has gone through many changes over time. How did the scientists conclude that the animal changed over time?

a)

by examining fossil records

b)

by learning about natural selection

c)

by studying deposition of sediments

d)

by observing different types of rock formations

13.

A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence. Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?


(Model Description: The first elephant ancestor is 50 million years old and very small, the second elephant ancestor is 30 million years old and much larger. The trunk is also short. The last ancestor is 20 million years old and taller, but shorter width wise. The trunk is also longer.)

a)

Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants.

b)

Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.

c)

Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete.

d)

Elephant species have changed over time.

14.

An animal fossil has sharp, pointy teeth. What can we infer about this animal?

a)

The animal lived in the water

b)

The animal is a carnivore (only ate meat).

c)

The animal lived near the beach.

d)

The animal is an herbivore (only ate plants).

15.

What statement is true about fossils?

a)

Some living things have not really changed in millions of years.

b)

All living organisms leave behind fossils.

c)

Fossils show that camels never change.

d)

Plant fossils have never changed.

16.

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)

historical record

c)

animal record

d)

Earth record

17.

What is the name of the street the auditorium faces?

a)

Cedros

b)

Burbank

c)

Vesper

d)

Albers