Earth History Review

A fossil of an organism that only lived on Earth between 100 to 150 million years ago is found in a piece of sedimentary limestone. Which can be concluded about the age of the limestone?

• It is older than the fossil

• It is younger than the fossil

• It is less than 100 million years old

• It is between 100 and 150 million years old

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagrams below show several sedimentary rock layers containing index fossils, and a reference table for the relative dating of the index fossils.

During which time period was layer 2 formed?

• between 65 million years ago and 2 million years ago

• between 144 million years ago and 64 million years ago

• between 206 million years ago and 143 million years ago

• between 248 million years ago and 205 million years ago

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which can be inferred about the intrusion of igneous rock into a sedimentary rock layer?

• The sedimentary rock is older than the igneous rock.

• The igneous rock is older than the sedimentary rock

• The sedimentary and igneous rocks are the same age

• The rocks should be carbondated to determine which is older

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A piece of amber was found in a layer of rock. In the layer of rock below the amber, the fossilized remains of Nerinea trinodosa were also found. Which is true of the two fossils?

• The Nerinea trinodosa is older than the amber

• The amber is older than the Nerinea trinodosa

• The amber and Nerinea trinodosa are exactly the same age

• It is impossible to tell which is older without the use of carbon

  dating

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which best describes absolute dating of rock layers?

• unconformity

• superposition

• radioactive decay

• uniformitarianism

The graphic shows four rock layers with an intrusion cutting through three of them. What can be inferred about the age of the shale?

• It is less than 50 million years old.

• It is more than 120 million years old.

• It is older than 100 million, but younger than 120 million years old.

• It is older than 50 million, but younger than 100 million years old.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why are index fossils used to date other fossils in an area of rock?

• Index fossils are rare and unique fossils that exist only in a few areas on Earth.

• Index fossils are preserved remains of the soft tissues of animals

  that lived during multiple time periods.

• Index fossils appear in all rock layers of a given area and are a

  reliable mechanism for dating other fossils.

• Index fossils appear worldwide in layers of the same type of rock that have been dated to exist during a certain time period.

What is most likely indicated by high concentrations of dust and ash in an ice core?

• tsunamis

• tidal waves

• earthquakes

• volcanic eruptions

Where would ice cores that reveal information about past climates most likely be found?

• glaciers

• ocean floor

• volcanic rocks

• mountain ranges

In which type of rock would a scientist most likely find an index fossil?

• igneous

• volcanic

• sedimentary

• metamorphic

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1