Free Printable Earth History assessment 1

1.

The photograph shows a New York State index fossil.

This index fossil would be classified as a

a)

brachiopod

b)

gastropod

c)

crinoid

d)

nautiloid

2.

Identify the geologic concept on the diagram states that most sediments are deposited in layers that are flat and parallel to Earth’s surface?

(a)

3.

Base your answers to the question on the geologic cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents sedimentary rock units labeled A through D, a layer of volcanic ash deposits, and a basalt extrusion. An unconformity is present between rock units B and C. Line XY represents a fault. The rock layers have not been overturned.

State the name of one metamorphic rock that most likely formed in the zone of contact metamorphism between rock unit B and the basalt.

(a)

4.

Base your answers to the question on the geologic cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents sedimentary rock units labeled A through D, a layer of volcanic ash deposits, and a basalt extrusion. An unconformity is present between rock units B and C. Line XY represents a fault. The rock layers have not been overturned.

Fossils of the multicellular, soft-bodied Centroceras organisms were found in rock unit C. Identify the Period that indicates the geologic age of this rock unit.

(a)

5.

Base your answers to the question on the geologic cross section below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The cross section represents sedimentary rock units labeled A through D, a layer of volcanic ash deposits, and a basalt extrusion. An unconformity is present between rock units B and C. Line XY represents a fault. The rock layers have not been overturned.

Determine the relative age sequence of the following geologic features, in order from oldest to

youngest: Basalt • Fault XY • limestone D

(a)

6.

The picture fossil Mucrospirifer is considered to be an index fossil because it existed over

a)

large geographic region for a short period of time.

b)

large geographic region for a long period of time.

c)

small geographic region for a short period of time.

d)

large geographic region for a long period of time.

7.

The cross section represents rock units within Earth's crust. Sedimentary rock layers are labeled 1 through 6.

The age of the igneous rock is

a)

younger than rock layers 4 and 5

b)

older than rock layer 3

c)

the same age as rock layer 3

d)

older than rock layers 1 and 2

8.

The photograph shows a cross sectional view of an iridium-rich meteor debris layer between two rock layers. This debris was deposited at the same time as the extinction of TRILOBITES. The layers have NOT been overturned.

Which photograph shows the most likely geologic time periods when the rock layers above and below this debris layer formed?

a)

b)

c)

d)

9.

Base your answer to the question on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The graph shows the decreasing percentage of a radioactive isotope, carbon-14, as it decays and the increasing percentage of the disintegration product that forms.

Which percentage of this radioactive isotope remains at the end of 4-half-lives?

a)

6.25%

b)

12.5%

c)

87.5%

d)

93.5%

10.

Base your answer to the question on the graph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The graph shows the decreasing percentage of a radioactive isotope, carbon-14, as it decays and the increasing percentage of the disintegration product that forms.

Carbon-14 can be used to determine the ages of both a

a)

garnet crystal and calcite crystal

b)

Beluga whale bone and condor bone

c)

lava flow and a granite intrusion

d)

eurypterids fossil and dinosaur fossil

11.

The graph shows the rate of decay of a radioactive isotope through three half-lives. Each box shows the ratio of atoms of the radioactive isotope to atoms of the disintegration product. The box at two half-lives has been left bank and third half-lives is not shown.

Which box or not shown best represent the ratio of these atoms at three half-lives?

a)

b)

c)

d)

12.

During which geologic period did humans first appear on Earth?

(a)

13.

The graph shows the radioactive decay of potassium-40.

Approximately what percentage of potassium-40 remains in the 3.0 billion-year-old bedrock of the Hudson Highlands landscape region of New York State?

a)

75%

b)

60%

c)

30%

d)

20%

14.

The cross section below represents sedimentary rock layers A, B, and C. An igneous intrusion is labeled D. Line E represents a fault. Overturning has not occurred.

Which events occurred after the formation of rock layer A?

a)

formation of sedimentary rock layer B and igneous intrusion D

b)

faulting at E and deposition of sediments in rock layer C

c)

igneous intrusion D and faulting at E

d)

deposition of sediments in rock layers B and C

15.

Base your answers to the question on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents a specific New York State index fossil that is a member of a group of extinct marine animals called trilobite.

A. Identify the geologic period of the bedrock in which this specific New York State index fossil can be found.

B. Infer the past environment that existed at a New York State location where trilobite fossils have been discovered in the bedrock.

(a)

16.

Oxygen in Earth’s early atmosphere was first

produced during the Precambrian from

a)

evaporation of ocean water

b)

the absorption of sunlight by plants

c)

volcanic activity along plate boundaries

d)

cyanobacteria in Earth’s oceans

17.

The cross section below represents the bedrock structure of a section of Earth’s crust. Letters A through H represent rock units. Line XY represents a fault and the intrusion of rock unit A. The rock layers have not been overturned.

When did the intrusion of rock unit A occur?

a)

before the deposition of rock units G, F, and D

b)

after the faulting along line XY

c)

before the formation of rock units E and F

d)

before the formation of rock units G and H

18.