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Fossils and Geologic Time

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

a model scientists use to describe the timing of events and the relationships between those events in earth’s history.

a)

geologic time scale

b)

era

c)

period

d)

epoch

2.

The Geologic Time Scale is a record of what?

a)

old geologists

b)

sweet geology music

c)

the known history of rocks and fossils

d)

a list of every living thing ever

3.

when minerals replace the remains and they become rock; things like wood.

a)

Petrified

b)

Mold

c)

Cast

d)

Index

e)

Trace Fossil

4.

when the shell remains and the contents dissolve

a)

Petrified

b)

Mold

c)

Cast

d)

Index

e)

Trace Fossil

5.

Which layer contains the oldest index fossils?

a)

Layer 1

b)

Layer 2

c)

Layer 3

d)

Layer 4

6.

What era was the age of fish?

a)

Precambrian

b)

Palezoic

c)

Mesozoic

d)

Cenozoic

7.

A good index fossil comes from an organism that existed

a)

For a short time period but was widespread

b)

For a long time period and was widespread

c)

For a short time period and in a small geographic area

d)

For a long time period and in a small geographic area

8.

Which statement is true

a)

The oldest layers of rock and soil are closet to the surface of the earth

b)

The youngest layers of rock and soil are farther away from the surface of the earth

c)

Carbon-14 dating is an example of relative dating an the law of superposition is an example of absolute dating

d)

Absolute geologic dating an relative geologic dating are two methods used by scientists to determine age of geologic evidence

9.

An index fossil was found in Africa. The same type of index fossil was found in Asia. What does this tell us?

a)

This tells us nothing important.

b)

The rock layer in Africa and Asia were formed during the same time period.

c)

The fossils are not related.

d)

The fossils can be found all over the world.

10.

The division of Earth's geologic history into units of time called eons, eras, periods, and epochs is based on

a)

absolute dating techniques

b)

fossil evidence

c)

climatic changes

d)

seismic data

11.

Several different fossils were found in rock layers in a geologic column. Above these rock layers, the fossils were almost nonexistent. Which most likely explains these observations?

a)

non conformity occurred.

b)

All the organisms migrated.

c)

A period of mass extinction occurred.

12.

Fossils are only found in

a)

Sedimentary rocks

b)

Foliated Metamorphic rocks

c)

Igneous Rocks

d)

Nonfoliated Metamorphic rocks

13.

when the mold becomes filled with minerals that are not a part of the original organism.

a)

Petrified

b)

Mold

c)

Cast

d)

Index

e)

Trace Fossil

14.

a fossil found in a narrow time range but widely distributed around the earth; used to date rock layers.

a)

Petrified

b)

Mold

c)

Cast

d)

Index

e)

Trace Fossil

15.

fossilized mark that is formed in soft sediment by the movement or actions of an animal.

a)

Petrified

b)

Mold

c)

Cast

d)

Index

e)

Trace Fossil

16.

According to paleontologists, how old is the Earth?

a)

3.5 Billion Years Old

b)

543 Million Years Old

c)

57 Million Years Old

d)

4.6 Billion Years Old

17.

What type of rock do fossils form in?

a)

Igneous

b)

Sedimentary

c)

Metamorphic

d)

Classic

18.

Which of the following statements about the fossil record is true?

a)

all organisms become fossils

b)

organisms having soft body parts make up most of the fossils

c)

all organisms that have shells become fossils

d)

the fossil record is incomplete

19.

A bug stuck in amber is an example of what type of fossil?

a)

cast

b)

mold

c)

trace

d)

preserved remains

20.

How do most fossils form?

a)

A living thing dies and is buried under sediment

b)

The sediment is compressed and compacted 

c)

They are formed in sedimentary rock

d)

All of these answers

21.

What is a fossil that is useful for dating and correlating the strata in which it is found?

a)

a petrified fossil

b)

a trace fossil

c)

a cast fossil

d)

an index fossil

22.

What is the primary purpose of the geologic time scale in social studies?

a)

To track human history

b)

To organize Earth's history into manageable sections

c)

To predict future geological events

d)

To measure the age of the universe

23.

Which type of fossil is most useful for determining the relative age of rock layers?

a)

Petrified fossil

b)

Index fossil

c)

Trace fossil

d)

Mold fossil

24.

What does the presence of similar fossils in different continents suggest in terms of geologic time?

a)

The continents were once connected

b)

The fossils are not related

c)

The organisms evolved independently

d)

The fossils are from different time periods

25.

Which era is known for the dominance of dinosaurs?

a)

Cenozoic

b)

Mesozoic

c)

Paleozoic

d)

Precambrian