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fossils as a record

Total questions: 22

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

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

a)

sediment

b)

people

c)

cement

d)

ants

2.

What type of fossils provide evidence of the activities of ancient organisms?

a)

molds and casts

b)

petrified fossils

c)

trace fossils

d)

carbon films

3.

An organism is ______________ if it no longer exits and will never live again on Earth.

a)

rare

b)

extinct

c)

plentiful

d)

missing

4.

A ______________________ is a scientist who studies fossils.

a)

biologist

b)

chemist

c)

paleontologist

d)

astronomer

5.

Which of the following substances is not able to preserve entire organisms?

a)

sticky tar

b)

water

c)

amber

d)

ice

6.

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)

animal record

c)

historical record

d)

Earth record

7.
People who study fossils are called ____.
a)
meterologists
b)
fossilologists
c)
paleontologists
d)
fossil hunters
8.
In which kind of rock do we usually find a fossil?
a)
sedimentary  rock
b)
metamorphic rock
c)
igneous rock
9.

Where can the oldest layer be found?

a)

The top layer

b)

The middle layer

c)

They are all the same age

d)

The bottom layer

10.

Which layer formed first?

a)

Rock Layer W

b)

Rock Layer X

c)

Rock Layer Y

d)

Rock Layer Z

11.
If scientists found this fossil, what could they infer?
a)
what fish are like today
b)
that this fish lacked oxygen
c)
what kind of animal ate this fish
d)
that water once covered the area
12.

Which animal part would most likely form a fossil?

a)

Muscle

b)

Fur

c)

Lung

d)

Bone

13.

The remains of an organism studied by scientists is called a ____________.

a)

paleontologist

b)

fossil

c)

dinosaur

d)

shark

14.

Which would be an example of a fossil?

a)

Sedimentary Rock

b)

Dinosaur Footprint

c)

Oyster Pearl

d)

Rotting Log

15.

Which type of fossil is created when an organism gets trapped in tree resin?

a)

Trace

b)

Mold/Imprint

c)

Amber

d)

Cast

16.

Which is NOT a way an organism could become a fossil?

a)

It can be frozen in ice.

b)

It can be quickly buried in sediment after death.

c)

It can be trapped in the resin of a tree.

d)

It can be left out in the sun to decompose.

17.

An organism should be buried quickly after it dies if it has a chance of becoming a fossil

a)

True

b)

False

18.

How do scientists learn about dinosaurs?

a)

by studying fossils

b)

by reading about them

c)

by watching movies

d)

by visiting Jurassic Park

19.

What conclusions could you make about the environment where the animal that made this fossil lived in?

a)

It was under water because it has fins.

b)

It might have been a grassland because it has 4 legs.

c)

It could fly and live in trees because it has wings.

20.

What is a good rule to follow when determining the age of rock layers?

a)

The oldest is always on the top.

b)

The rock layers get older as you dig deeper.

c)

The youngest is always on the bottom.

21.
this type of fossil provides evidence of the activities of ancient organisms; examples include marks left by footprints or tails
a)
mold
b)
carbon film
c)
trace
d)
cast
22.
Why do bones and teeth remain as part of some fossils?
a)
they are white
b)
bones are large
c)
the parts are hard 
d)
bones decay easily