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U6 History of Earth Unit Review-Retest

Total questions: 120

Worksheet time: 1hrs 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which is an example of absolute age?

a)

"This trilobite is older than that dinosaur."

b)

"That stromatolite is the absolute oldest fossil I've ever seen."

c)

"Velociraptors lived 71-75 million years ago."

d)

"The oldest sedimentary layer is on the bottom."

2.

The half-life of a radioactive substance depends on the

a)

pressure acting on the material.

b)

amount of the material.

c)

temperature of the material.

d)

composition of the material.

3.

A whale bone that originally contained 200 grams of radioactive carbon-14 now contains 25 grams of carbon-14. How many half-lives have passed since this whale was alive?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4

4.

If carbon-14 is heated, the length of its half-life period would

a)

increase

b)

decrease

c)

remain the same

5.

Carbon-14 can only be used to determine the age of

a)

recently living things (thousands of years old).

b)

recent rocks (thousands of years old).

c)

very old fossils (millions of years old).

d)

very old rocks (millions of years old).

6.

Figure A and B represent the same radioactive substance. Compared to the half-life of the material in figure A, the half-life of the material in each small cube in figure B is

a)

1/8 as long

b)

8 times longer

c)

1/64 as long

d)

the same

7.

How much of the Earth's original U-238 still exists today?

a)

100%

b)

75%

c)

50%

d)

25%

8.

What is the approximate age of an igneous rock that contains only one-fourth of its original potassium-40 content due to radioactive decay?

a)

1.3 x 109 years

b)

3,9 x 109 years

c)

2.6 x 109 years

d)

5.2 x 109 years

9.

Compared to the length of time for the first half-life of a sample of a radioactive isotope, the length of time for the second half-life is

a)

less

b)

greater

c)

the same

10.

What happens to a carbon-14 atom that has gone through radioactive decay?

a)

It disappears.

b)

It turns into nitrogen-14

c)

It becomes soil.

d)

It flips over so the radioactive side is face-down.

11.

This diagram represents a sample of 87Rb. Which diagram represents the correct proportion of 87Rb to its decay product, 87Sr, after two half-lives?

a)
b)
c)
d)
12.

Which radioactive substance would probably be used in dating the recent remains of a plant found in sedimentary deposits?

a)

carbon-14

b)

rubidium-87

c)

potassium-40

d)

uranium-238

13.

This graph shows the relationship between mass and time for a radioactive element during radioactive decay. What is the half-life of the element?

a)

50 billion years

b)

60 billion years

c)

350 billion years

d)

100 billion years

14.

Why is radioactive decay useful for determining absolute age?

a)

Radioactive substances decay at a predictable rate.

b)

All Earth materials contain the same radioactive substances.

c)

The mass of radioactive isotopes in a material is equal to the age of the material.

d)

The half-life of a radioactive substance decreases by half after a certain amount of time.

15.

What is the half-life of Rubidium-87

a)

49 billion years

b)

4.9 billion years

c)

490 billion years

d)

490 million years

16.

What is the half-life of Potassium-40?

a)

1.3 billion years

b)

13 billion years

c)

130 million years

d)

13 million years

17.

What is the disintegration product of Rubidium-87?

a)

87Sr

b)

14N

c)

86Rb

d)

87Pb

18.

How old is a rock that contains 6.25% of its original Potassium-40?

a)

6.5 x1010 years

b)

2.6 x1010 years

c)

3.9 x1010 years

d)

5.2 x1010 years

19.

What fraction of U-238 remains in a rock that is 18 billion years old?

a)

1/8

b)

1/16

c)

1/32

d)

1/64

20.

Which isotope is best for determining the age of a Pleistocene epoch fossil?

a)

Uranium-238

b)

Potassium-40

c)

Rubidium-87

d)

Carbon-14

21.

Which sequence of geologic events occurred after the formation of the Cambrian limestone and before the formation of the Silurian limestone?

a)

uplift → weathering → erosion → subsidence

b)

uplift → subsidence → erosion → weathering

c)

subsidence → weathering → erosion → uplift

d)

subsidence → erosion → uplift → weathering

22.

Which rock layer is the youngest?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

23.

The photograph below shows an outcrop with two basaltic intrusions, labeled A and B, in a rock unit, labeled C. What is the relative age of these three rock units from oldest to youngest?

a)

B → A → C

b)

B → C → A

c)

C → A → B

d)

C → B → A

24.

Letters W, X, Y, and Z represent fossils found in the rock layers. Which fossil could best be used as an index fossil?

a)

W

b)

X

c)

Y

d)

Z

25.

Which principle states that these sedimentary rock layers were originally deposited as horizontal sediment layers?

a)

Superposition

b)

Original Horizontality

c)

Cross-cutting

d)

Contact Metamorphism

26.

Which principle states that the oldest sedimentary layers are deposited first, and should be found closest to the bottom?

a)

Superposition

b)

Original Horizontality

c)

Cross-cutting

d)

Contact Metamorphism

27.

When did faulting along line XY occur?

a)

after the intrusion of rock unit A

b)

after the deposition of rock units B, C, and D

c)

after the formation of rock units E and F

d)

before the formation of rock units G and H

28.

When did intrusion A occur?

a)

after the formation of fault X-Y

b)

after the deposition of rock units B, C, and D

c)

before the formation of rock units E and F

d)

before the formation of rock units G and H

29.

If the granite intrusion occurred 56 million years ago, what are the most probable ages of the schist and shale, in millions of years?

a)

schist – 57; shale – 55

b)

schist – 57; shale – 58

c)

schist – 55; shale – 57

d)

schist – 55; shale – 52

30.

The rock that formed in the contact metamorphic zone between rock unit E and rock unit F is

a)

quartzite

b)

marble

c)

slate

d)

schist

31.

Which sequence best describes the geologic history, from oldest to youngest, that occurred at this site?

a)

deposition of F, D, C, B → intrusion of E → uplift and erosion → deposition of A

b)

intrusion of E → deposition of F, D, C, B → uplift and erosion → deposition of A

c)

deposition of F, D, C, B, A → uplift and erosion → intrusion of E

d)

deposition of F, D, C, B, A → intrusion of E → uplift and erosion

32.

Which layer is the youngest?

a)

gray limestone

b)

red conglomerate

c)

brown siltstone

d)

brown sandstone

33.

Based on evidence shown in the diagram, which rock layer is older than fault XY?

a)

tan conglomerate

b)

black shale

c)

brown siltstone

d)

white limestone

34.

Which is the approximate age of something, in years?

a)

Absolute Age

b)

Relative Age

c)

Uniformitarianism

d)

Original Horizontality

35.

Which is the age of rock layers based on the order in which they formed?

a)

Absolute Age

b)

Relative Age

c)

Uniformitarianism

d)

Original Horizontality

36.

What are the 2 characteristics of a good index fossil?

CHOOSE 2 CORRECT ANSWERS!

a)

Lived for a short time

b)

Lived for a long time

c)

Lived over a large area

d)

Lived over a small area

37.

A fault or igneous intrusion are always ________ the rocks they go through.

a)

younger than

b)

older than

c)

the same age as

38.

What is an unconformity?

a)

A buried erosional surface.

b)

A zone of contact metamorphism.

c)

A sequence of consecutive rock layers.

d)

A type of index fossil.

39.

Which is the best technique for correlating rocks around the world?

a)

matching similar rock types

b)

volcanic ash deposits

c)

index fossils

40.

What is the name of the rock that will form in the zone of contact metamorphism between rocks A and E?

a)

Limestone

b)

Quartzite

c)

Sandstone

d)

Marble

41.

Which processes formed most of the layers in this outcrop?

a)

Compaction & Cementation

b)

Weathering & Erosion

c)

Melting & Solidification

d)

Extreme Heat & Pressure

42.

The phrase "The present is the key to the past" refers to the idea that

a)

your Christmas present is a key that works like a time machine to take you to the past.

b)

processes occurring today have worked the same way throughout most of Earth's history.

c)

older layers are deposited first at the bottom, and younger layers are at the top.

43.

Sedimentary layers are usually deposited...

a)

under water

b)

on land

44.

Most erosion occurs...

a)

under water

b)

on land

45.

What is the name of the process that deformed the shape of layers H, G, F, E & D?

a)

Tilting

b)

Folding

c)

Uplift

d)

Erosion

46.

Compared to the age of the Earth, humans have existed for _______ of this time.

a)

less than 0.1%

b)

5%

c)

10%

d)

30%

47.

Which of the following is an EPOCH in the Cenozoic Era?

a)

Miocene

b)

Neogene

c)

Cretaceous

d)

Phanerozoic

48.

Which of the following are Periods in the Mesozoic Era?

Choose all correct answers.

a)

Jurassic

b)

Triassic

c)

Cretaceous

d)

Permian

49.

During which geologic period did Eurypterids go extinct?

a)

Permian

b)

Triassic

c)

Cretaceous

d)

Ordovician

50.

During which geologic period did the Catskill Delta form?

a)

Devonian

b)

Silurian

c)

Cambrian

d)

Paleogene

51.

Surface bedrock is not found in New York State from any time in the _________ Period

a)

Permian

b)

Devonian

c)

Cretaceous

d)

Cambrian

52.

Which index fossil could be found in the same layer as the trilobite fossil Phacops?

a)

Stylonurus

b)

Coelophysis

c)

Lichenaria

d)

Ctenocrinus

53.

Life on Earth has gradually evolved from _____________.

a)

simple to complex

b)

complex to simple

54.

Which gas did not exist in significant amounts in Earth's early atmosphere?

a)

oxygen

b)

carbon dioxide

c)

hydrogen

d)

water vapor

55.

The release of gases from volcanoes to make Earth's early atmosphere is called

a)

outgassing

b)

superposition

c)

respiration

d)

igneous intrusion

56.

The earliest insect fossils are approximately _____ million years old.

a)

420

b)

410

c)

365

d)

440

57.

Which is responsible for producing oxygen 3 billion years ago?

a)

bacteria carrying out photosynthesis in the ocean

b)

volcanic eruptions

c)

cosmic background radiation

d)

trees and other plants

58.

Which of the following group existed on Earth for the longest time?

a)

Trilobites

b)

Graptolites

c)

Dinosaurs

d)

Birds

59.

During which time period were most continents furthest from the North Pole?

a)

Ordovician

b)

Paleogene

c)

Triassic

d)

Cretaceous

60.

Which index fossil is most likely to be found in Watertown, NY?

a)

Cryptolithus

b)

Hexameroceras

c)

Manticoceras

d)

Mastodont

61.

Which index fossil is most likely to be found in the Allegheny Plateau landscape region of New York?

a)

Cryptolithus

b)

Hexameroceras

c)

Manticoceras

d)

Mastodont

62.

Slide Mountain in New York is primarily composed of bedrock from the ____________ period.

a)

Devonian

b)

Silurian

c)

Ordovician

d)

Triassic

63.

Which group of organisms still exists today?

a)

Brachiopods

b)

Graptolites

c)

Ammonoids

d)

Placoderm Fish

64.

During which period were large amounts of salt and gypsum deposited in evaporite basins in New York State?

a)

Silurian

b)

Jurassic

c)

Devonian

d)

Ordovician

65.

The New York State index fossil Platyceras is a type of ________.

a)

Gastropod

b)

Brachiopod

c)

Coral

d)

Graptolite

66.

When did the earliest stromatolites exist?

a)

3300 million years ago

b)

2600 million years ago

c)

1300 million years ago

d)

365 million years ago

67.

The Earth is...

a)

approximately the same age as the universe.

b)

older than the universe.

c)

younger than the universe.

68.

Which is the largest unit of time?

a)

Eon

b)

Era

c)

Period

d)

Epoch

69.

Which part of an organism is LEAST likely to become preserved in a fossil?

a)

Shell

b)

Bone

c)

Tooth

d)

Skin

70.

Approximately what percentage of species that have existed on Earth have gone extinct?

a)

99.9%

b)

90%

c)

50%

d)

0.1%

71.

Special fossils that indicate to geologists the boundaries of geological time.

a)
geological indicators
b)
index fossils
c)
boundary fossils
d)
time fossils
72.

Which fossilization process leaves behind a dark film on a sedimentary rock?

a)
permineralization
b)
mummification
c)
impression
d)
carbonization
73.

Which type of fossilization occurs when a sticky substance from plants captures and

preserves an organism?


a)
amber fossilization
b)
sap fossilization
c)
resin fossilization
d)
tar fossilization
74.

What type of fossilization results when the whole animal is preserved?

a)

Ice/Freezing

b)

Mold

c)

Carbonization

d)

Replacment

75.

Which type of rock and fossil dating give the precise age of the rock or fossil?

a)
Relative dating
b)

Geologic time dating

c)
Stratigraphic dating
d)

Absolute dating

76.

Put the following units of time in order from the longest to shortest.

a)

Periods, eras, epochs, eons

b)

Eras, eons, epoch, periods

c)

Eons, eras, periods, epochs

d)

Epochs, eons, periods, eras

77.

 Geologists use the geologic column and the law of superposition to help them do:

a)
Predict future geological events
b)
Identify the composition of rock layers and fossils
c)
Determine the absolute ages of rock layers and fossils
d)
Determine relative ages of rock layers and fossils
78.

Trilobites lived from 200-500 million years ago.  If a paleontologist finds a fossil of a trilobite in a layer of sandstone, what does that tell the paleontologist about the age of the sandstone?


a)
The sandstone is more than 500 million years old.
b)
The sandstone is between 200-500 million years old.
c)
The sandstone is less than 200 million years old.
d)
The age of the sandstone cannot be determined from the fossil of a trilobite.
79.

Based on the law of superposition, in an undisturbed rock bed, where should the youngest rock layers be found?

a)
In the middle
b)
At the bottom
c)
At the top
d)
In a different rock bed
80.

A scientist finds the same type of fossil in layers of rock in both Europe and South America. What does this indicate about the ages of the rocks?

a)
The rocks are different ages.
b)
The rocks are from different time periods.
c)
The rocks are not related to each other.
d)
The rocks are of the same age.
81.

Which layer is the oldest?

(a)  

82.

Which letter is the youngest?

(a)  

83.

Put in order from oldest to youngest?

(a)  

84.

What is the difference between relative age and absolute age?

a)
Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to another, while absolute age is the actual age in years or other units.
b)
Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to another, while absolute age is the age of an object in relation to its surroundings.
c)
Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to another, while absolute age is the age of an object in relation to its size.
d)
Relative age is the age of one object or event compared to another, while absolute age is the age of an object in relation to its color.
85.

Which two are trace fossils?

a)
fossilized bones and teeth
b)
claw marks and nests
c)
footprints and burrows
d)
tree rings and pollen grains
86.

Which 2 are characteristics of index fossils?

a)
Rare and localized with a long time range
b)
Widespread and scarce with a short time range
c)
Abundant and localized with a long time range
d)
Widespread and abundant with a short time range
87.

Approximately how old is the Earth?

a)
4.5 billion years
b)
1 billion years
c)
100 million years
d)
10,000 years
88.

The end of life for a group of organisms, usually a species, is called a (a)  

89.

Which are 3 requirements for an organism to become fossil?

a)
slow burial, soft parts, presence of oxygen
b)
slow burial, hard parts, presence of oxygen
c)

rapid burial, hard parts, left for long time

d)

rapid burial, soft parts, left for a long time

90.

How do fossils support the Theory of Continental Drift?

a)
Fossils can be found in the same location on different continents.
b)

Fossils provide evidence of the same life forms on different continents.

c)
Fossils provide evidence of the movement of tectonic plates.
d)
Fossils prove that the continents have always been in their current positions.
91.

What evidence do scientists use to determine the age of the earth?

a)
Analysis of volcanic ash, study of ice cores, and examination of rock layers
b)
Radiometric dating, decay of radioactive isotopes, and analysis of sedimentary rocks
c)
Carbon dating, analysis of fossils, and examination of tree rings
d)
Measurement of Earth's magnetic field, study of meteorites, and analysis of ocean sediments
92.
All are types of fossils EXCEPT
a)
Mineral Replacement
b)
Bone neutralization
c)
Carbon Film
d)
Cast and Mold
93.
The half-life Carbon-14 is 5,730 years. How much parent material is left after 5,730 years?
a)
75%
b)
50%
94.
Which time period on the chart was the longest?
a)
Permian
b)
Cambrian
95.
The branch of science involving the physical composition and history of the planet. 
a)
Geology 
b)
Biology 
c)
Math 
d)
Chemistry 
96.
The system of time measurement involving the formation of and changes of the Earth. 
a)
Index Fossil 
b)
Geologic Time Scale 
c)
Law of Superposition 
d)
Preserved Fossil 
97.
Very large division of geologic time; usually referred to as the longest division of time. 
a)
Era
b)
Epoch 
c)
Eon 
d)
Period
98.
Occurs when a species( organism) dies out and no longer lives on the planet. 
a)
Extinction 
b)
Fossil 
c)
Epoch 
d)
Relative Age
99.
Determination of the age of a rock based on the surrounding evidence 
a)
Radioactive Dating 
b)
Relative Age 
c)
Trace Fossil 
d)
Carbonized Fossil 
100.
A common fossil found in many areas from a specific time; used to help identify the age of other formations. 
a)
Trace Fossil 
b)
Mold Fossil 
c)
Cast Fossil 
d)
Index Fossil 
101.
Remains or impression of an organism preserved in petrified rock. 
a)
Fossil 
b)
Eon 
c)
Extinction 
d)
Period
102.
Refers to the information provided by all of the discovered fossils throughout geologic history. 
a)
Law of Superposition 
b)
Geologic time scale
c)
Fossil Record 
d)
Radioactive Dating 
103.
States that younger rock is found above older rock when comparing undisturbed sedimentary rock layers. 
a)
Law of Thermodynamics 
b)
Law of Gravity 
c)
Law of Superposition 
d)
Murphy's Law
104.
A fossilized piece of evidence of an organism's activity ( such as a footprint)
a)
Mold Fossil 
b)
Trace Fossil
c)
Cast Fossil 
d)
Preserved Fossil
105.
Fossil that forms when minerals solidify into rock around the shape of the original organism, leaving a cavity behind
a)
Cast Fossil 
b)
mold fossil
c)
Preserved Fossil 
d)
Carbonized Fossil 
106.
Fossil that forms when a mold is filled with sediment and hardens into the shape of the organism 
a)
Trace Fossil 
b)
Mold Fossil 
c)
Cast Fossil 
d)
Preserved Fossil 
107.
Fossil that forms when organic material is pressed between layers of rock. 
a)
Carbonized Fossil 
b)
Trace Fossil 
c)
Preserved Fossil 
d)
Cast Fossil 
108.
The diagram shows rock layers taken from two different locations that may be far apart from each other.What can be concluded based on the diagram?
a)
Location 1 has terrestrial fossils, and Location 2 has aquatic fossils.
b)
The layers in Location 1 are much older than the layers in Location 2.
c)
The layers in Location 1 are younger than the layers in Location 2.
d)
Layers from both locations with similar fossils are about the same age.
109.
What initial catastrophic event is most likely responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs?
a)
the impact of many tornadoes during a massive storm
b)
the impact of a large asteroid or comet hitting Earth's surface
c)
the rise of sea levels caused by melting glaciers
d)
the rise of mammals that became predators of dinosaurs
110.
The diagram shows layers of rock that have been disturbed.Which layer of rock is the oldest?
a)
Layer A because other layers were formed in it.
b)
Layer B because it is under layers C and D.
c)
Layer D because it is the least eroded.
d)
Layer F because it is on the top.
111.
Which statement can be best supported by the fossil record?
a)
Most of the organisms on Earth have not changed over time.
b)
Most life forms that existed on Earth are now extinct.
c)
Humans and dinosaurs have existed on Earth at the same time.
d)
Human have lived on Earth for most of geologic history.
112.
Which condition best supports fossil formation?
a)
A dead organism is eaten by scavengers and shredded.
b)
A dead organism is slowly decomposed by bacteria and insects.
c)
A dead organism is washed away in a flood and buried under rocks.
d)
A dead organism is quickly buried under mud and sand.
113.
Geologists studied fossils taken from the top of a mountain. The chart lists several fossils taken from this location as well as their original habitat.What can be concluded based on the fossil evidence?
a)
The mountain climate was once much warmer than it is today.
b)
The mountain climate was once much colder than it is today.
c)
The mountain was covered by water at some point in the past.
d)
The elevation in the area was much higher at some point in the past.
114.
Which explanation best describes why tropical plant fossils have been found on islands in the Arctic Ocean?
a)
Birds and insects carried seeds to the island.
b)
Seeds of plants have been carried by ocean currents.
c)
The island drifted from a tropical region to its present location.
d)
Spores of the plants were carried by air currents to the island.
115.
Which explanation best describes why marine fossils have been discovered in rock layers in a desert environment?
a)
A catastrophic event occurred in the area in the past.
b)
Continental drift moved the rock layers from the coast to the desert.
c)
The area was once completely covered by water.
d)
Volcanic activity had once occurred in the area.
116.
The fossils of the same species of lizard were collected from rock layers in two different continents. What evidence does it suggest?
a)
The two continents were in different hemispheres.
b)
The two continents were once part of a single large continent.
c)
The lizard migrated across the ocean to the other continent.
d)
The lizard evolved on two continents at the same time.
117.
The scientist in the photo is removing an ice core from a metal casing (tube) in order to analyze ancient gas bubbles trapped in the ice. Which geologic law or principle best explains how scientists use ice cores to learn about Earth's past climate?
a)
law of crosscutting relationships
b)
principle of lateral continuity
c)
law of superposition
d)
principle of inclusion
118.
The diagram shows a sedimentary rock sample that contains igneous rock intrusions.Which sequence shows the age of the fossils from oldest to youngest?
a)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
b)
3, 5, 4, 2, 1
c)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
d)
5, 4, 2, 1, 3
119.
A geologist examines a rock outcrop obtained from a region with the rock layers labeled from 1 to 6.In what order were the rock layers likely deposited over time?
a)
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
b)
5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6
c)
5, 4, 3, 6, 2, 1
d)
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
120.
Review the diagram showing an igneous intrusion (D) within layers of sedimentary rock.What is the relative age of the igneous intrusion?
a)
The igneous intrusion is younger than layer A.
b)
The igneous intrusion is the same age as layer C.
c)
The igneous intrusion is younger than layer E.
d)
The igneous intrusion is the same age as layer F.

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