Fossil Record

Which layer of sedimentary rock in the image above is most likely the oldest, assuming the layers have not experienced folding or uplifting?

• Layer W
• Layer X
• Layer Y
• Layer Z

 Layers of rock are exposed, as shown in the diagram.

The fern fossil in Layer 3 was dated to be 32 million years old. 
What can be inferred about the shell fossils?

• The organisms with the shells lived before the fern.
• The organisms with the shells were more common that the other fossils
• The organisms with the shells were more complex than the other fossils
• The leaf fossil is older than the shell fossil.

This image is a model showing various types of fossils embedded in layers of sedimentary rock. 
The law of superposition would predict that layer three is...?

• The fossil in Layer 3 is older than the fossil in Layer 2
• older than layer 1 and younger than layer 5
• younger than layer 2 and older than layer 1
• The fossil in Layer 4 is younger than the fossil in Layer 5

Which fossil is found in the oldest layer?

• Dinosaur
• Fish
• Fern
• Shell

A scientist was digging for fossils along a rocky cliff formed from sedimentary rock. The scientist discovered trilobite fossils at a lower level and ammonite fossils at a higher level. 
What can be determined about these two fossils based on their locations?

• the mating habits of these two organisms
• The diet of the trilobites and ammonites
• the relative age of these two fossil 
• what their predators were

If the age of Layer Four is 400 million years and the age of Layer One is 500 million years, then what can you infer about the age of Layer Two?

• Layer Two is older than 500 million years
• Layer Two is between 400 million to 500 million years old
• Layer Two is exactly 400 million years old
• Layer Two is younger than Layers 4 and 5

Paleontologist have found an area rich in ammonite fossils. Although erosion over millions of years has altered the topography of this ocean floor, the scientists were able to create a chronological history of these fossils (see diagram). 
Based on the diagram, which numbered fossil was found in the oldest layer of sediment?

• Number eight
• Number seven
• Number five
• Number three

The picture shows the locations of three types of fossils in the sediment of a lake.
The organism in layer 3 most likely existed...

• at the same time as the organism in layer 2
• after the organism in layer 1
• at the same time as the organism in layer 1
• before the organism in layer 1

Which statement is best supported by the diagram?

• The fossil in Layer 3 is older than the fossil in Layer 2.
• The fossils in Layers 1 and 3 are from closely related organisms.
• The fossil in Layer 1 is older than the fossil in Layer 2.
• The fossil in Layer 2 is older than the fossil in Layer 1.

How can you determine that fossil number six and fossil number four are similar in age?

• These two fossils are the same species.
• Both of these fossils are sea shells so they must have lived at the same time.
• These two fossils are in the same layer of sedimentary rock. 
• These 2 fossils look the same.