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8 L 4 1 & 8 L 4 2

Total questions: 20

Worksheet time: 20mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Some scientists think that all life evolved from a common ancestor. Which provides evidence that this may be true?

a)

analogous structures of organisms

b)

homologous structures of organisms

c)

extinction of many varieties of plant species

d)

existence of many varieties of bacteria species

2.

Which best explains the separate evolution of African and Asian elephants?

a)

overhunting

b)

volcanic activity

c)

splitting of Pangea

d)

extinction of dinosaurs

3.

Which best supports the idea of continental drift?

a)

Coastlines are constantly changing shape due to erosion.

b)

Earthquakes are frequently felt in many regions of the world.

c)

Glaciers currently exist in areas considered too warm for glaciers to form.

d)

Fossilized remains of the same plants and animals are found on different continents.

4.

Which best explains why species living in Australia are found nowhere else on Earth?

a)

Australia has an ecosystem different from any other area on Earth.

b)

Humans have genetically altered many Australian species in laboratories.

c)

Australian species were genetically altered after a comet hit the landmass.

d)

Australia separated from other continents and species there evolved independently.

5.

A new type of plant was discovered on a newly-formed volcanic island. The island is hundreds of miles away from the mainland. Which hypothesis best explains how the plant arrived?

a)

It spontaneously generated.

b)

It was carried there by humans.

c)

It was carried there by wind or waves.

d)

It was already present in volcanic materials.

6.

Two organisms have homologous structures. Which can most likely be concluded about the two organisms?

a)

They are unrelated.

b)

They are the same organism.

c)

They share a common ancestor.

d)

They evolved in a similar environment.

7.

Which would provide evidence of lithospheric plate movement over time?

a)

fossils of tropical plants found near the equator

b)

fossils of tropical fish found in a warm climate area

c)

fossils of tropical plants found in a cold climate area

d)

fossils of tropical fish found at the bottom of an ocean

8.

Based on the fossil record, which organisms were most likely to have existed first?

a)

plants

b)

insects

c)

jellyfish

d)

bacteria

9.

Which best describes the similar function of wings in birds and butterflies?

a)

embryological structures

b)

homologous structures

c)

analogous structures

d)

vestigial structures

10.

It is possible to hypothesize how a particular group of organisms evolved by arranging fossils in a chronological sequence. Where would the oldest fossils be found?

a)

the deepest rock layer

b)

the most shallow rock layer

c)

the rock layer with the greatest variety of fossils

d)

the rock layer containing fossils with the most complex structures

11.

Bird wings and insect wings are analogous structures. Which can most likely be concluded?

a)

Insects evolved from birds.

b)

Birds evolved from insects.

c)

Birds and insects have a close common ancestor.

d)

Birds and insects do not have a close common ancestor.

12.

What do scientists most often use to form the basis for biological classification?

a)

dietary habits

b)

population size

c)

geographic location

d)

comparative anatomy

13.

Which organisms are most closely related based on comparison of anatomical structures?

a)

jellyfish and clam

b)

snake and worm

c)

pig and human

d)

bid and bee

14.

Which best helps scientists explore the relationship between modern organisms and ancestral species to create a system of biological classification?

a)

volcanic ash

b)

fossils

c)

DNA evidence

d)

igneous rock layers

15.

Throughout fossil records, many species appearing in lower layers of rock disappear in higher layers of rock. Which best explains their disappearance?

a)

The species became extinct.

b)

The species moved to another geographic location.

c)

The fossil remains were disrupted by an earthquake.

d)

Environmental conditions were not suitable for fossil formation.

16.

Which evidence found in fossils supports that an ice age occurred during a particular time period?

a)

fern fossils

b)

glacial sediments

c)

high oxygen levels

17.

Which term refers to the classification of organisms in an ordered system that indicates natural relationships?

a)

taxonomy

b)

tectonics

c)

geology

d)

biology

18.

Organisms who are evolutionarily closer are most likely found at which taxonomic level?

a)

Kingdom

b)

Phylum

c)

Family

d)

Order

19.

Evolution can best be described as which type of change?

a)

absolute change

b)

extreme change

c)

gradual change

20.

Which is true about fossils?

a)

Fossils provide the evidence for the Law of Gravity.

b)

Fossils provide the evidence for the Laws of Motion.

c)

Fossils provide the evidence for the Theory of Evolution.