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Unit 2: Earth's History, Evolution, and Genetics

Total questions: 88

Worksheet time: 1hrs 6mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

the theory that species change over time. It can refer to the changes in a particular population or to the formation and extinction of species over the course of Earth’s history.

(a)  

2.

a distinguishing quality or characteristic of a person or thing.

(a)  

3.

any inherited trait that gives an organism an advantage in its particular environment.

(a)  

4.

body parts or behaviors that have lost their original purpose over time due to evolution. They are remnants from an ancestor that were once functional but are now reduced in size or purpose in a modern species.

a)

Vestigial structures

b)

Homologous Structures

c)

Analogous Structures

d)

Comparative Anatomy

5.

body parts that are similar in different animals because they have a common ancestor, even if they are now used for different functions.

a)

Vestigial structures

b)

Homologous Structures

c)

Analogous Structures

d)

Comparative Anatomy

6.

body parts that look different but do the same job for different animals because they evolved to solve the same problem.

a)

Vestigial structures

b)

Homologous Structures

c)

Analogous Structures

d)

Comparative Anatomy

7.

the study of the similarities and differences in the anatomy of different species to understand their evolutionary relationships.

a)

Vestigial structures

b)

Homologous Structures

c)

Analogous Structures

d)

Comparative Anatomy

8.

an organism that two or more different species or groups evolved from.

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Natural selection

c)

Common ancestor

d)

Genetic variation

9.

the differences in DNA between individuals of the same species, which cause them to have unique traits like eye color or height.

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Natural selection

c)

Common ancestor

d)

Genetic variation

10.

when members of a species that are best suited to their environment survive and reproduce at a higher rate than other members of the species.

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Natural selection

c)

Common ancestor

d)

Genetic variation

11.

a permanent change in the genetic material (DNA) of an organism.

a)

Common ancestor

b)

mutation

c)

trait

d)

Adaptation

12.

the geologic principle stating that in an undisturbed sequence of layered rocks, the oldest layers are at the bottom and the youngest are at the top.

a)

Uniformitarianism

b)

Law of Superposition

c)

Cross-cutting relationships

d)

Sedimentary rock

13.

the principle that any geological feature that cuts across other rocks or structures must be younger than the features it cuts.

a)

Uniformitarianism

b)

Law of Superposition

c)

Cross-cutting relationships

d)

Sedimentary rock

14.

the theory that the processes shaping Earth today, such as erosion, also shaped Earth in the past, and that these processes cause large changes over geologic time.

a)

Uniformitarianism

b)

Law of Superposition

c)

Cross-cutting relationships

d)

Sedimentary rock

15.

forms from layers of sediment, such as sand or mud.

a)

Sedimentary rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Metamorphic rock

d)

Igneous intrusion

16.

forms from existing rocks that have been transformed by heat and pressure without melting.

a)

Sedimentary rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Metamorphic rock

d)

Igneous intrusion

17.

forms when molten rock cools (magma or lava).

a)

Sedimentary rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Metamorphic rock

d)

Igneous intrusion

18.

when magma cools and solidifies BEFORE reaching the surface.

a)

Sedimentary rock

b)

Igneous rock

c)

Metamorphic rock

d)

Igneous intrusion

19.

a break in the Earth's crust where blocks of rock move past each other.

a)

Fault

b)

Pangea

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Plate Tectonics

20.

a hypothetical supercontinent that included all of the landmasses on Earth. It began breaking apart about 200 million years ago.

a)

Fault

b)

Pangea

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Plate Tectonics

21.

the hypothesis that Earth’s continents move on Earth’s surface.

a)

Fault

b)

Pangea

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Plate Tectonics

22.

the theory that Earth's outer shell is divided into large, rigid plates that are constantly moving.

a)

Fault

b)

Pangea

c)

Continental Drift

d)

Plate Tectonics

23.

traces or remains of living things from long ago.

(a)  

24.

the actual age of an event or object.

a)

absolute age

b)

relative age

25.

the age of an event or object in relation to other events or objects.

a)

absolute age

b)

relative age

26.

a fossil of an organism that was common, lived in many areas, and existed only during a certain span of time. Index fossils are used to help determine the age of rock layers.

(a)  

27.
Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?
a)
F
b)
E
c)
B
d)
A
28.

Whales have pelvic bones. What type of structure does this best represent?

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Analogous structure

c)

Vestigial structure

d)

None of the above

29.

This image illustrates what type of structure

a)

Homologous

b)

Analogous

c)

Vestigial

d)

Bone

30.

According the Law of Superposition, which layer has the most modern fossil in it?

a)

Layer A

b)

Layer B

c)

Layer C

31.

According to the Law of Superposition, which layer has the oldest fossil in it?

a)

Layer A

b)

Layer B

c)

Layer C

32.

The Law of Superposition helps us understand the age of fossils compared to other fossils.

a)

true

b)

false

33.

Organisms with the Advantageous traits will

a)

Die and go extinct

b)

survive and reproduce

34.

This is an example of

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Functional adaption

c)

Structural adaption

d)

Analogous structure

35.
What are the relative ages of the features in order from oldest to youngest?
a)
Limestone, Basalt, Fault, Siltstone
b)
Siltstone, Fault, Basalt, Limestone
c)
Limestone, Fault, Basalt, Siltstone
d)
Limestone, Siltstone, Fault, Basalt
36.

Which layer is OLDER? Layer E or Intrusion A?

a)

Layer E

b)

Intrusion A

37.
Scientists use ______ dating to figure out the exact age of something.
a)
relative
b)
chemical
c)
absolute
d)
rock
38.

Which part is the youngest?

a)

C

b)

F

c)

the fault

39.

Which part is the oldest?

a)

C

b)

the fault

c)

F

40.

Which part is the youngest?

a)

F

b)

E

c)

D

d)

C

41.

Layer V is younger than layer X.

a)

true

b)

false

42.

The intrusion is younger than layer Y.

a)

true

b)

false

43.

Which part is the oldest?

a)

W

b)

X

c)

Y

d)

Z

44.
The diagram shows fossils in different rock layers. Which of these statements about the age of these fossils is most likely correct?
a)
Fossil A and C are the same age
b)
Fossil B is older than fossil C
c)
Fossils A is older than fossil B
d)
Fossil D is older than fossil C
45.
What layer is the youngest?
a)
a
b)
l
c)
d
d)
z
46.
What fossil is the oldest?
a)
d
b)
b
c)
a
d)
c
47.

Which represents the YOUNGEST rock layer?

a)

B

b)

C

c)

D

d)

E

48.

Igneous intrusions are always ______ than the rocks they cut through.

a)

younger

b)

older

49.
Which layer is the oldest? 
a)

c

b)

a

c)

b

d)

d

50.

Gaps in rock layers.

a)

Angular Unconformities

b)

Cross-Cutting

c)

Unconformities

d)

Inclusions

51.
Superposition means that in an undisturbed sequence of sedimentary rocks, which of the following is true?
a)
The oldest rocks are on top.
b)
The youngest rocks are in the middle.
c)
The youngest rocks are on the top.
d)
There is no way to know which layers are older.
52.
According to the fossil record, which fossil is the oldest?
a)
fossil 5
b)
fossil 2
c)
fossil 3
d)
fossil 4
53.
Which fossil is the youngest?
a)
fossil 1
b)
fossil 2
c)
fossil 3
d)
fossil 4
54.
According to this fossil record. What type of environment was there first?
a)
land
b)
lava
c)
ocean
d)
forest
55.

You find shark tooth and fish fossils in an area that is now a forest. What can you infer about the history of this place?

a)

The area was once a valley

b)

The area was once a desert

c)

The area was once covered in ice

d)

The area was once an ocean

56.
What is the youngest layer in the outcrop?
a)
A
b)
B
c)
C
d)
D
57.

Which of the following letters represents an intrusion?

a)

A

b)

B

c)

C

d)

D

e)

E

58.

Which statement is correct regarding the relative age of the rock layers?

a)

Layers P and J are the same age because they are on top.

b)

Layers K and Q are the same age because they are both below the top layer.

c)

Layers L and R are the same age because they are the same rock.

d)

Layers M and R are the same age because they contain the same index fossils.

59.

Index fossils must meet two criteria, they must have existed for a short period of time and...

a)

be few in numbers

b)

be widely distributed

c)

lived for a long time

d)

be really old in age

60.

In what order were the rock layers likely deposited over time?

a)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

b)

  1. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 6

c)

5, 4, 3, 6, 2, 1

d)

6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

61.

 Several teeth were found in an area of flat land covered with trees and plants. The teeth were examined by a paleontologist, and it was determined that the teeth came from a shark. They found many other shark teeth in this area. However, the people who discovered the teeth were puzzled. There was no source of water near where the fossils were found. (8-LS4-1)

What is the paleontologist's BEST explanation for why the teeth were found in this area?

a)

This area was once covered with saltwater.

b)

Someone buried the shark teeth deep in the ground.

c)

This area was once covered with freshwater.

d)

Sharks used to live on flat land.

62.

If scientists find fossils of a type of mosquito on the bottom layer and find fossils of beetles towards the top layer, what can scientists infer?

a)

Mosquitos ate the beetles

b)

Mosquitos are older fossils than beetles

c)

Beetles are older fossils than mosquitos

d)

Both mosquitos and Beetles must have lived at the same time.

63.

If natural selection means "survival of the fittest", what does it mean to be "fit"?

a)

you can migrate to new areas

b)

you have a large territory

c)

you can reproduce and pass on your genes

d)

you have more genetic mutations

64.

Wisdom teeth have no purpose and are often removed to make room for the other teeth. Wisdom teeth are

a)

homologous structures

b)

vestigial structures

c)

analogous structures

65.

Charles Darwin observed the plants and animals on his voyage to which of the following

a)

The Galapagos Islands

b)

South America

c)

Hawaii

d)

The South Pacific

66.

Which of the following is most closely linked to Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection?

a)

Predator-prey relationships influence change among organisms

b)

Survival of the Fittest

c)

Competition strongly influences change among organisms

d)

Survival of the nicest

67.

Which of the following best describes an adaptation?

a)

A tight bundle of genetic material in the nucleus of cells

b)

A segment of DNA that codes for a trait

c)

A harmful trait that hurts an organism's chance of survival

d)

trait that allows an organism to be better suit for survival

68.

Darwin found the following finches on the Galapagos islands. What best describes why they have different beaks?

a)

Genetic variation has made it possible for birds to feed on different forms of food due to their beak shape.

b)

Genetic variation has made it possible for larger eyes on the birds to see.

c)

Genetic variation has made it possible for the birds to camouflage themselves on the island.

d)

Genetic has made it possible for the birds to feed at different times of the day due to competition.

69.

Cats, dogs, humans, wales, birds and bats all have the same bones in their arms, wings and fins. How do we use this to support the "Theory of Evolution?"

a)

Evidence they evolved from a common ancestor.

b)

Evidence they evolved separately from each other.

c)

Evidence they all evolved on different continents.

d)

Evidence they all came from the same mom.

70.

Geological evidence shows that the same fossils from the same living organism were found in Australia, China, South America and North America. Which best explains this?

a)

All of these continents were once connected as a supercontinent called Pangea.

b)

The same organism evolved separately on each continent.

c)

Global climate change forced the organism to migrate.

d)

Rocks containing these fossils were moved by ocean currents.

71.

According to natural selection, light colored tree trunks would favor

a)

light colored moths

b)

dark colored moths

c)

red colored moths

d)

red and light colored moths

72.

How do we measure the age of a fossil in years?

a)

variation

b)

absolute dating

c)

selection

d)

mutation

73.
Darwin wrote that organisms with traits that are best suited to the environment will ________________
a)
increase in number
b)
become extinct
74.
The trees these moths used to live on were white, but have been covered in soot from coal factories. Which moth will be more successful in this environment?
a)
Dark moth
b)
Light moth
c)
Both will be equally successful
d)
Neither will be successful
75.

What is relative dating?

a)

when you use radioactive isotopes

b)

when you find a fossil’s exact age

c)

when you take your cousin to prom

d)

when you estimate a fossil’s age in sedimentary rock

76.

_____ is referred to as survival of the fittest.

a)

natural selection

b)

mutating

c)

evolution

d)

adapting

77.

Review the diagram showing a fault located among layers of sedimentary rock. What is the relative age of the fault?

a)

The fault is older than layer B

b)

The fault is older than layer C..

c)

The fault is older than layer E.

d)

The fault is older than layer F.

78.

By studying fossil records, scientists have concluded that the horses that lived 50 million years ago were much smaller, weaker, and slower than modern horses. Which natural process is responsible for the evolutionary changes that have lead to increased size, strength, and speed in horses?

a)

inbreeding

b)

migration

c)

mutualism

d)

natural selection

79.
The opossum and kangaroo both incubate their young in a pouch. This provides evidence that they---
a)
are descended from a common ancestor
b)
Have very similar skeletal structures
c)
belong to the same species
d)
must range great distances to eat
80.
Predict which moth would increase in population
a)
light 
b)
dark
81.

Which type of rock is formed by the cooling and solidification of magma or lava?

a)

Igneous rock

b)

Fault rock

c)

Sedimentary rock

d)

Metamorphic rock

82.

What is the term for a structure in different species that has a similar function but a different evolutionary origin?

a)

Homologous structure

b)

Analogous structure

c)

Vestigial structure

d)

Comparative anatomy

83.

Which principle states that the oldest rock layers are found at the bottom of an undisturbed sequence?

a)

Absolute dating

b)

Uniformitarianism

c)

Law of Superposition

d)

Cross-cutting relationships

84.

What does this graph demonstrate?

a)

Cortisol levels

b)

Natural selection

c)

Both populations increased

d)

Drought is causing the moths to become smaller

85.
What process is being shown in this image?
a)
Variation
b)
Natural Selection
c)
Selective Breeding
d)
Homeostasis
86.

How do environmental pressures influence evolution?

a)

They have no effect on evolution

b)

They cause organisms to move to new environments

c)

They select for organisms that are better adapted to survive and reproduce

d)

They decrease genetic variation within a species

87.

In a meadow, there are two colors of cone flowers: Pink and yellow. The bees and other pollinators seem to be more attracted to the pink flower and visit the pink flowers more often than the yellow flowers. Over time there are more pink flowers in the meadow than yellow. What principle is at work here?

a)

speciation

b)

environmental pressure

c)

natural selection

d)

homologous structures

88.

You want to decide the absolute age of the fossil at the top, which of these statements is right? " Be careful absolute age!)

a)

The fossil at top layer is younger that the one at the bottom

b)

The fossil at the top lived between 60 and 200 millions years ago

c)

The fossil at the top is 500 million years in age

d)

It is not possible to know because there is no way to tell the absolute age of the rocks surrounding it

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