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Evidence for Evolution

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 10mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

______________________ are fossils that allow scientists to compare similar features of two different groups of organisms.

a)

Transitional fossils

b)

Trace fossils

c)

Mineralization

d)

Original material

2.

The ______________________ includes all the remains of living things ever discovered on earth.

a)

Original material

b)

Mineralization

c)

Fossil record

d)

Transitional fossils

3.

______________________ is a process in which the remains of living things have been replaced with rock-forming minerals.

a)

Transitional fossils

b)

Trace fossils

c)

Mineralization

d)

Original material

4.

______________________ are fossils that contain tissues that haven’t been replaced with minerals or broken down by decomposition.

a)

Transitional fossils

b)

Trace fossils

c)

Mineralization

d)

Original material

5.

Which type of fossil is caused by an imprint of a living thing in solid rock?

a)

Mineralization

b)

Carbonization

c)

Trace Fossils

d)

Molds & Casts

6.

A type of fossilization that leaves behind a thin dark film or outline of carbon in a rock.

a)

Mineralization

b)

Carbonization

c)

Trace Fossils

d)

Molds and Casts

7.

What type of information can we learn from examining the fossil record (check all that apply)?

a)

The age of the Earth

b)

The appearance and behaviors of extinct creatures

c)

The location of natural resources

d)

The evolutionary progression of life

8.

What process is described by the gradual, step-by-step changes in species over time?

a)

Extinction

b)

Evolution by natural selection

c)

Spontaneous generation

d)

Genetic drift

9.

What is the significance of trace fossils?

a)

They show the behavior of organisms

b)

They are the most common fossils

c)

They are only found in deserts

d)

They are the oldest fossils

10.

What does the fossil record show about species transformations?

a)

They happen instantly

b)

They happen gradually over time

c)

They never happen

d)

They only happen in mammals

11.

What is the role of natural selection in evolution?

a)

It prevents any changes in species

b)

It supports gradual changes by favoring certain traits

c)

It causes immediate changes in species

d)

It only affects aquatic species

12.

____________________ structures are remnants of body parts that served a purpose in an organism's evolutionary ancestors but are now reduced in size and function.

a)
Vestigial
b)

Homologous

c)

Analogous

d)

Anatomical

13.

_______________ structures have similar functions in living things but consist of different structures.

a)
Vestigial
b)

Homologous

c)

Anatomical

d)

Analogous

14.

Which of the following is an example of a homologous structure?

a)

The wings of a bat and the arms of a human

b)

The tail fin of a shark and the tail fin of a dolphin

c)

The legs of a ladybug and the legs of a dog

d)

The eyes of an eagle and the eyes of fly

15.

The pectoral fins of sharks, penguins and dolphins are examples of ____________________ structures.

a)

Vestigial

b)

Homologous

c)

Analogous

d)

Anatomical

16.

_____________ structures may not perform the same function, but consist of similar kinds structures.

a)

Anatomical

b)

Analogous

c)

Vestigial

d)

Homologous

17.

What do comparative anatomy studies help scientists to understand about natural history?

a)

It helps scientists understand how best to use natural resources

b)

It helps scientists understand evolutionary relationships between living things

c)

It helps scientists understand how different types of rocks formed

d)

It helps scientists understand how genetic mutations lead to changes in protein structure

18.

Which of the following would be considered evidence that cetaceans (whales and their relatives) evolved from land-dwelling species?

a)

The fact that some cetaceans have teeth while others have baleen

b)

The fact that cetaceans come in all different shapes and sizes

c)

The fact that cetaceans have hip and leg bones even though they don't walk

d)

The fact that cetaceans make sounds that can be heard from many miles away

19.

Which of the following would NOT be considered evidence that two living things may be evolutionarily related?

a)

Both possess homologous structures

b)

Both have similarities between their embryos

c)

Both belong to similar classes of animals (mammals, reptiles, birds etc)

d)

Both have the ability to fly

20.

Which of the following is NOT a structure that ALL vertebrate embryos have in common?

a)

Gills

b)

Eye Spots

c)

Pharyngeal Slits

d)

Spinal Tails