wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Relative Dating

Total questions: 19

Worksheet time: 9mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Law of Superposition states the oldest fossils are found

a)
scattered throughout all layers
b)
in the middle rock layers
c)
in the lowest rock layers
d)
in the top rock layers
2.

What is the Geological Time Scale?

a)
A tool used for measuring the depth of geological layers.
b)

A chronological scale of the history of rocks and fossils.

c)
A method for predicting future geological events.
d)
A classification system for different types of rocks.
3.

What do scientists use to figure out the relative age of rocks and fossils?

a)

Law of Superposition

b)

Law of Absolute Dating

c)

Law of Geological Time Scale

d)

Law of Radiometric Dating

4.

When scientists use logic and approximate age, what type of dating do they use?

a)
Chronometric dating
b)
Carbon dating
c)
Relative dating
d)
Absolute dating
5.

What does the Law of Superposition help scientists determine?

a)
The temperature changes over geological time.
b)
The geographical distribution of species.
c)
The relative ages of rock layers and fossils.
d)
The chemical composition of minerals.
6.

What does relative dating of rocks tells us the deeper we dig?

a)
The deeper we dig, the younger the rocks are.
b)
The depth of the rocks has no relation to their age.
c)
The deeper we dig, the more fossils we find.
d)
The deeper we dig, the older the rocks are.
7.

Which is the youngest layer?

a)
E
b)
C
c)
B
d)
A
8.

Which is the youngest rock layer?

a)
R
b)
M
c)
F
d)
I
9.

Which is the third oldest layer?

a)
A
b)
B
c)
D
d)
E
10.

Which is the second oldest layer?

a)
A
b)
B
c)
D
d)
C
11.

A scientist studies a geologic cross section of rock layers in a region. The rock layers have not been disturbed by any faulting, folding, or tilting.

Which statement is a correct inference?

a)
The rock layers were formed by volcanic activity.
b)
The rock layers are all the same age.
c)
The rock layers were deposited in chronological order.
d)
The rock layers were deposited randomly without any order.
12.

The image shows the unturned layers of sedimentary rocks with embedded fossils.

A student labels the fossils from 1 to 4. What could be true about the fossils?

a)

Fossil 1 is younger than fossil 2.

b)

Fossil 4 is older than fossil 3.

c)

Fossil 3 is older than Fossil 2.

d)

Fossil 1 is older than Fossil 4.

13.

A geologist is studying a geologic cross section of rock layers in a national park. The rock layers appear to be well preserved and undisturbed.

Which statement best identifies the oldest rock layer in the cross section?

a)
The oldest rock layer is the one at the top of the cross section.
b)
The oldest rock layer is the one that is most weathered.
c)
The oldest rock layer is the one that contains the most fossils.
d)
The oldest rock layer is the one at the bottom of the cross section.
14.

Look at the diagram, what layer did animal E first show up in?

a)

Layer #4

b)

Layer #5

c)

Layer #6

d)

Layer #8

15.


The diagram shows a geologic cross-section from a region.

What are the relative ages of the rocks from oldest to youngest ?

a)
V, W, Z, X, Y
b)
Z, Y, W, V, X
c)
X, Y, Z, W, V
d)
W, V, Y, X, Z
16.

Which layer(s) supports that the land was covered by water?

a)
Layer E
b)
Layers A and B
c)
Layer C
d)
Layer D
17.

Which layer(s) support that the land was exposed to air?

a)

D, F, G

b)
A, D, F
c)
B, C, F
d)
A, B, F
18.

What is the relative age of the rocks from youngest to oldest?

a)
F, E, D, C, B, A
b)
D, C, B, A, F, E
c)
C, A, B, E, D, F
d)
A, B, C, D, E, F
19.

What is the relative age of the rocks oldest to youngest?

a)
A, C, D, E, J, K
b)
G, L, N, O, P, Q
c)
X, Y, Z, W, V, U
d)
I, B, F, M, H, R