Sedimentary rocks are made from _____.

The oldest layer of sedimentary rock is found _____.

The youngest layer of sedimentary rock is found _____.

What are the traces or remains of an organism that lived long ago?

Fossils are preserved in _____.

______ is how old something is compared to how old something else is.

What is a method of determining whether something is older or younger than something else?

Faults are _____ than the rocks they are formed through.

Intrusions are _____ than the rocks they are formed through.

Lava flows are _____ than the rocks they are formed through.

What are all of Earth's known rocks and the information they contain?

What are the remains of an organism that was common and widespread, but only existed for about 1 million years or less?

What are all of Earth's known fossils and the information they contain?

What are rock layers that are missing in the rock record?

What causes unconformities?

What is the actual age of something?

What is a method of measuring the actual age of something?

What is the amount of time needed for half the amount of unstable particles to change into more stable particles?

What information is needed to determine half-life?

Jacob has one older brother and one younger sister. He wants to explain relative dating to them using their ages as an example. Which statement describes their ages using relative dating?

The diagram shows one kind of radioactive decay that is used for dating. Which statement best describes what information is needed to determine the age of a rock sample using this type of dating method?

Which method of finding the relative age of rocks do scientists often use?

Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old. How do scientists determine this?

Which statement best describes an index fossil?

Basalt is a gray or black igneous rock. Pilar uses an absolute dating method to study a sample of basalt. Which phrase indicates the age of the rock in years?

The diagram shows rock layers that are cut by a fault and two bodies of rock (Rock 1 and Rock 2). What are the relative ages of the features in order of oldest to youngest?

Early in the Paleozoic Era, plants began to colonize the continents. Which change to Earth’s surface most likely happened as a result?

How does sedimentary rock usually form?

What is the approximate age of Earth?

Which sentence best describes the process of relative dating?

In what way are eras different from periods?

How does the law of crosscutting relationships explain the age of a fault caused by an earthquake?

Which definition describes absolute dating?

Early in Earth’s history, the composition of the atmosphere was quite different from what it is today. When did Earth’s atmosphere first change due to living organisms?

The existence of humans on Earth represents a very short amount of time on the geologic time scale. In which epoch do we currently live?

Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of plants and animals that have lived on Earth throughout Earth’s history. How does the fossil record of animals compare with animals that exist today?

Which statement correctly defines geology?

A geologist is studying three layers of sedimentary rock in an area. The layers have not shifted from their original positions. The geologist records the relative ages of the rocks. The bottom layer is listed as the oldest. The top layer is listed as the youngest. What did the geologist use to determine the relative ages of the rocks?

Fossils are often hardened remains of organisms that once lived, such as a bone or tooth. Which characteristic of metamorphic rock makes it unlikely for fossils to be found in this type of rock?

Julia has two samples of rocks for which she wants to find the absolute ages. She has a sample of sandstone and a sample of granite. Which statement explains why she can more easily date the granite sample?

Before life evolved adaptations for living on the land, a major change took place in one of Earth’s systems. Which change made it possible for life as we know it to live on the land?

Many geologic processes that shape Earth today also shaped Earth in the past.

Which rock layer is older?

What can cause appearances of new organisms or disappearances of previously existing organisms in the fossil record?

What are things timelines show?

What do we use to organize Earth's long history into manageable parts?

As we go further back in time, we have _____ rock and fossil information.

What are the major eons of the geologic time scale?

What eras make up the Phanerozoic Eon?

What epoch do we live in?

What period do we live in?

What era do we live in?

What eon do we live in?

The divisions of the geologic time scale are equal.

What three eons make up precambrian time?

What three periods make up the Cenozoic Era?

What does this diagram tell you about these different time periods?

Which statements correctly describe the geologic time scale?

What is the main criterion that scientists use to decide where to place the boundaries between the major divisions of the geologic time scale?

When did the dinosaurs become extinct?

Which of these happened in Precambrian time?

Which event allowed for greater diversity of life during the Paleozoic era?

This table shows some of the major events in Earth’s history. Which event marks the end of the Permian Period?

The diagram shows some of the divisions of the geologic timescale. The extinction of the dinosaurs happened at the end of which period?

The diagram shows a cross-section of rock strata. Which of these likely created the patterns seen in the oldest layers of this figure?

Examine the rock strata data shown. Which layer shows evidence of a rapidly changing environment?

The diagram shows several layers of rock. Which rock layer is older than layer H?

A geologist is studying a small island. He wants to know the order of historic geologic events. Which question will lead the scientist to the evidence for this study?

The diagram shows a geologic cross-section of rock strata. A fault recently appeared in the rock strata. Where is there evidence of a fault in older layers of the rock?

Trilobites were a diverse class of organisms that left behind many fossils that scientists can now study. The table shows the number of trilobite families found in layers of rock from different periods in Earth’s history. Which explanation best explains the data collected from trilobite fossils?

An excavation revealed layers of sedimentary rock with fossils in each layer.

In which layer where the oldest fossils located?

Scientists often use cross-sections of rock to determine the sequence of events in Earth’s history. The cross-section shown represents 30 million years. How old is rock layer Z?

Scientists often use cross-sections of rock to determine the sequence of events in Earth’s history. The cross-section shown represents 30 million years. How old is rock layer Y?

Scientists often use cross-sections of rock to determine the sequence of events in Earth’s history. The cross-section shown represents 30 million years. How old is rock layer W?

Scientists often use cross-sections of rock to determine the sequence of events in Earth’s history. The cross-section shown represents 30 million years. How old is rock layer X?

The principle of relative dating states that layers of Earth were deposited in order with the oldest layers below the younger layers. What is the correct order of geologic periods from oldest to youngest?

Scientists found large fossil deposits in Canada in the early 1900s. In the 1980s scientists found a rock formation with similar fossils in China. Can the following conclusion be supported by evidence from the geologic record?

The fossils from the two areas are probably very different ages because they came from different continents.

Scientists found large fossil deposits in Canada in the early 1900s. In the 1980s scientists found a rock formation with similar fossils in China. Can the following conclusion be supported by evidence from the geologic record?

The fossils found in the 1980s are probably much younger because they were found more recently.

Scientists found large fossil deposits in Canada in the early 1900s. In the 1980s scientists found a rock formation with similar fossils in China. Can the following conclusion be supported by evidence from the geologic record?

The group of fossils with more extinct organisms is probably older than the deposit with fewer extinct organisms.

Scientists found large fossil deposits in Canada in the early 1900s. In the 1980s scientists found a rock formation with similar fossils in China. Can the following conclusion be supported by evidence from the geologic record?

The fossil organisms from deeper rock layers probably lived long before the fossil organisms from shallower layers.

Will analyzing rock strata or fossil data provide the relative ages of rock layers?

Will analyzing rock strata or fossil data provide the absolute date at which a fault formed?

Will analyzing rock strata or fossil data provide information about the type of environment a rock formed in?

Will analyzing rock strata or fossil data provide information about the way organisms have changed over time?

Will analyzing rock strata or fossil data provide information about how the environment varied over a horizontal area?

Which of the following time periods are the longest in the geologic time scale?

Which of the following time periods are the oldest in the geologic time scale?

What two methods are used for determining the age of rocks and fossils?

What is half-life?

Which is true about relative dating?

Which law states that in an undisturbed sequence of rocks, the oldest rocks are on the bottom and the youngest rocks are on top?

Which law states that any feature that cuts across a sequence of rocks is younger than everything it cuts?

Which law states that any rock fragment that's included inside of another rock is older than the rock in which it's included?

An air mass that forms above a warm, dry desert will __________.

A model shows a city located between a warm ocean and next to coastal mountains. Which statement best describes average weather of this city?

City A and city B are located at the same latitude and elevation. However, city A is a coastal city, and city B is located far inland. A warm surface current flows by the coastline where city A is located. Given this information, which of the following statements is most likely true?

What kind of air mass do you expect to form over a rainforest near the equator?

A snowflake is changing its shape as it descends from the sky during the water cycle. Which factor is most likely affecting the snowflake’s shape?

A high-pressure system is approaching Florida, as shown in the map. How does air flow in a high-pressure system?

Some hurricanes originate in the tropical regions of the Atlantic Ocean or Caribbean Sea, and they often travel along the coast of Florida. The figure shows a hurricane cloud that formed over the Atlantic Ocean. Which two processes would be responsible for cloud formation in a hurricane?

Which type of weather often accompanies a cold front?

One of the elements used to help predict weather includes measuring the amount of water vapor in the air. What does this describe?

What will most likely happen if the relative humidity reaches 100% and the air temperature is very high?

How has weather prediction changed over time?

City A is much larger than City B, but they are located at the same latitude and elevation. However, City A is is receiving more rainfall than City B. Given this information, which statement most likely explains why?

Which of the following is not a type of data that is used to make a weather forecast?

Which middle-latitude location has a climate that is cold and dry during long winters but warm and humid during the summers?

Which two factors are usually included in descriptions of climate?

Which sentence best describes how latitude and air temperature are related?

Why do coastal areas have cooler summers than inland areas at the same latitude?

The diagram shows wind flow from an ocean over a mountain range. Which region indicates where the vegetation will be most plentiful?

The diagram shows wind flow from an ocean over a mountain range. Which region is most likely to have a dry, desert-like climate?

What will happen when the relative humidity of an air mass reaches 100%?

A group of students collected data about wind speed, wind direction, humidity, and temperature. They recorded when they saw fog. In which situation will they observe the formation of fog over the ocean?

Which factor should a student include in a model to explain differences in temperature at Earth’s equator and Earth’s poles?

Which type of data confirms that one air mass is being replaced by another air mass in a particular area?

The model shows how the sun heats Earth at different latitudes. How does this affect climate at different latitudes?

Four towns are each located at similar latitudes. Which town will have the least difference between the average high temperature and average low temperature?

A meteorologist predicts that a warm air mass and a cold air mass will meet and stop moving over your vacation destination. What weather should you expect and how will this impact your plans?

As elevation increases, temperature _____.

As elevation increases, atmospheric pressure _____.

A prediction of wind shows the ______ of the direction and speed of the wind.

To make a wind prediction, meteorologists could use _____ data.

Air flows from _____ pressure areas.

Which data represented on a weather map can be used to predict the weather with 100% accuracy?

As the cold front over California moves east, the isobars between it and the stationary front move closer together. Which of the following statements about the local weather are correct?

Which type of precipitation is likely at location 1?

Which type of precipitation is likely at location 2?

Which type of precipitation is likely at location 3?

Which type of precipitation is likely at location 4?

Which type of precipitation is likely at location 5?

Which unit is used in predicting temperature?

Molecules in the atmosphere exert a force that pushes on a surface. What is the name of this force?

Scientists study upper atmospheric conditions to __________.

Which movement of ocean water has the greatest direct effect on the growth of producers?

A meteorologist is using barometers to help predict weather. Which feature of weather is the meteorologist measuring to help predict the weather?

Both stationary and moving technological methods are used in weather data collection. Which technology is an example of a stationary method?

Ocean currents influence weather. Which ocean current directly affects the weather along the southernmost coast of the eastern United States?

Visitors to the Southeastern United States sometimes complain about the high humidity. What does high humidity indicate?

Which of the following are fronts with heavy rain or snow, thunder, and lightning?

Condensation is part of the water cycle and also plays a role in the weather. Which description defines condensation?

Surface currents can affect climate and weather. Which phrase describes surface currents?

El Niño conditions occur when the surface waters of the Pacific Ocean off of South America are warmer than normal near the equator. Which condition would you expect to observe near the western coast of North America during an El Niño year?

Latitude plays a major role in determining the climate, or long-term weather patterns, of an area. Because of differences in the intensity of solar energy, climates in higher latitudes are generally colder than climates in lower latitudes. What causes some areas of Earth to receive less intense solar energy than others?

Norfolk, Virginia, is a seaport on the James River, just off Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Covington, Virginia, is in the western part of the state near West Virginia. Which city would you expect to have warmer average winter temperatures?

The more water vapor there is in the air, the _____ the humidity of the air is.

_____ is the percentage of water vapor in air relative to the amount needed to saturate the air at the same temperature.

During the day, clouds can keep an area cool by _____.

As temperature increases, it takes _____ water vapor to reach 100% relative humidity.

Air pressure is measured in _____.

The greater the air pressure difference is between two places, the _____ the air moves and the ______ the wind is.

A(n) ____ is a line that follows along points of equal air pressure.

A ____ system forms where air sinks toward surface.

A _____ system forms where warm, less dense air rises from Earth's surface.

As air in a high-pressure system sinks, relative humidity _____ and clouds ____.

An ______ is a large body of air that has similar temperature and humidity throughout it.

An air mass develops when air _______.

An air mass takes on the characteristics of the water or land below it.

A _____ is a boundary between air masses.

What type of front forms when a cold air mass wedges beneath a warm air mass?

What type of front forms when a warm air mass moves over a cold air mass?

What type of front forms when a cold front slows down and stops as warm air moves toward it?

What type of front forms when a fast-moving cold front catches up to a warm front where the warm air mass has risen over a cool air mass?

Fronts often form around areas of ____ pressure.

Prevailing winds tend to move _____ over the US and Canada.

The uneven heating of Earth by the sun is the cause of pressure belts.

Where are low-pressure belts located?

Where are high-pressure belts located?

What causes one side of a mountain to be cloudy with more precipitation and the other side to be dry and sunny?

The variation in the shapes of snowflakes is a result of differences in ___.

Which factors would most likely affect the weather on a small island in the ocean?

Precipitation type depends on air temperature.

The rain shadow effect causes equal precipitation on both sides of a mountain.

As air sinks, it absorbs moisture and forms rain clouds.

What is a prediction about the state of the atmosphere at a given place and time?

Weather predictions are _____ 100% accurate.

______ forecasts are more accurate than forecasts made for longer periods of time.

What are the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time called?

Climate descriptions include ____.

The amount of energy coming into the Earth system roughly equals the amount going out.

What is the distance north or south of the equator?

Sunlight hits the Earth most directly ____.

_____ describes how much sunlight a surface reflects.

______ surfaces generally reflect a lot of sunlight, so they have high albedos.

During winter, snow reflects ____ sunlight than soil, rock, and vegetation that are exposed in summer. Therefore the albedo is _____ during winter.

What factors influence climate?

As elevation increases, air pressure _____.

It is usually _____ at higher elevations and _____ at lower elevations.

Places near large bodies of water often receive ____ precipitation than they would if the body of water were not present.

Which of the following are greenhouse gases?