Earth's History

Multiple Choice

Which process would be most effective in determining the age of fossils embedded in rock?

• relative dating

• absolute dating

• use of index fossils

• use of core sampling

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true?

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

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

• inclusions are younger than the layers they are found in

• Absolute dating and relative dating are two methods used by scientists to determine the age and sequence of geologic events.

Multiple Choice

According to the law of superposition, which layer is the youngest?

• A
• B
• C

Multiple Choice

What role do faults play in the Law of Superposition?

• Faults create new types of rock.

• Faults are younger than the layers they cut through.

• Faults are the same age as the layers they cut through.

• Faults are older than the layers they cut through.

Multiple Choice

According to the law of superposition, the oldest fossils are found

• At the top of the rock layers

• Near the bottom of the rock layers

• In the middle of the rock layers

• Somewhat near the surface

Multiple Choice

A scientist who studies ancient life/fossils is a:

• Paleontologist

• Archaeologist

• Biologist

• Sociologist

Multiple Choice

The age of a rock compared to other rocks around it is:

• Superposition

• Absolute age

• radioactive decay

• relative age

Multiple Choice

According to the diagram, what is the most recent event?

• B

• I

• R

• H

Multiple Choice

The time line shows the evolution of life forms during the geologic time scale.Which statement is supported by the time line?

• Dinosaurs became extinct 150 million years ago.
• Birds evolved approximately 275 million years ago.
• Animals started inhabiting land approximately 300 million years ago.
• Insects and amphibians appeared approximately 325 million years ago.
  

Multiple Choice

Pangaea refers to a...

• large supercontinent

• Greek superhero

• Tropical fern

• Mass extinction

Multiple Choice

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter.

• The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.

• The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.

• Layer R is older than Layer M

• Layer I is older than Layer B

Multiple Choice

Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?

• hot spots on ocean floors

• seismic activity along plate boundaries

• sediment buildup on continental slope

• marine fossils found on land masses

Multiple Choice

Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?

• Index fossils

• law of superosition

• radiometric dating

• law of original horizontality

Multiple Choice

Which environmental condition MOST likely existed at the time a fossil formed?

• Organism remains were deposited in an area of open space

• Organism remains were covered by lava flow.

• Organism remains were buried with little oxygen.

• Organism remains were buried in an area where a lot of erosion occurred.

Multiple Choice

Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?

• marine mammal fossil

• swamp fern fossil

• trace fossil

• index fossil

Multiple Choice

Trilobites are extinct animals that lived in the oceans. Fossils of these animals can be found in dry areas such as Cincinnati. What does this indicate?

• Trilobites now live underground.

• Trilobites are the ancestors of jellyfish.

• Cincinnati was once covered by the ocean where trilobites lived.

• The environment changed, creating small saltwater lakes in Cincinnati.

Multiple Choice

A student has made the geologic column that you see here.

• fossils

• soil type

• environment

• plate tectonics

Multiple Choice

Scientists are able to conclude that a forested ecosystem existed in Antarctica millions of years ago by studying:

• the current climate

• the fossil record

• glacial movement

• seafloor spreading

Multiple Choice

Principle that Earth's processes occurring today are similar to those that occurred in the past 

• unconformities 
• uniformitariansim 
• superposition 

Multiple Choice

Cavity in a rock made when an organism decayed

• cast
• mold 
• original remains

Multiple Choice

Process that uses the properties of atoms in rocks and other objects to determine their ages 

• relative dating
• radioactive decay 
• absolute dating

Multiple Choice

Principle that states in a sequence of undisturbed rocks, the oldest rocks are on the bottom and the rocks become progressively younger toward the top 

• superposition 
• uniformitarianism
• half-life

Multiple Choice

This type of fossil would include nests, eggs, feces, and footprints. 

• cast
• mold
• preserved remains
• trace

Multiple Choice

Why is the fossil record incomplete?

• fossils get eroded away over time
• most organisms never became fossils
• scavengers and decomposers eat them too quickly
• all of the above

Multiple Choice

What does “absolute age” tell about a rock layer or fossil?

• The “exact” age of a fossil determined by half life of radioactive elements

• The age of one rock layer or fossil compared to another

• The rocks are probably the same age.

Multiple Choice

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

• Mass Extinction

• Mass Death

• Walking death