Continental Drift Review

Which statement best explains how the continents have changed over the last 200 million years, according to the continental drift hypothesis?

• They formed a stable supercontinent until the last ice age, when they rapidly moved to their current positions.

• They split apart from a supercontinent and very slowly moved to their current positions.

• They drifted into and out of about seven different supercontinent configurations.

• They drifted into and out of about fifteen different supercontinent configurations.

Alfred Wegener published his theory of continental drift in 1915. While backed by sound, previously published scientific evidence, his theory was not widely accepted. In fact, it was met with opposition. Which of the following correctly explains other scientists opposition to his theory?

• They were afraid of a new idea.

• Wegener could not identify a force that could move the continents.

• Wegener's evidence did not make sense to the other scientists.

• They were not interested in what Earth was like millions of years ago.

True or False: The argument provided in Wegener's "continental drift" hypothesis states that at the beginning the continents were scattered, and have since moved together to form a single landmass.

• True

• False

Which of the following best explains the difference between continental drift and plate tectonics?

• Plate tectonics was Wegener's theory that Earth's continents rest on sections of Earth's crust that drift together and apart over time; continental drift is a hypothesis describing how plate tectonics might happen.

• Continental drift is supported only by observations of similar coastlines and geologic features on opposite sides of an ocean; plate tectonics is supported by a wide range of fossil evidence as well.

• Continental drift describes the motion of Earth's continents only; plate tectonics describes the motion of the crust beneath Earth's oceans as well.

• Continental drift was Wegener's hypothesis that Earth's continents were once part of a supercontinent that has since broken apart; plate tectonics is the theory that explains how continental drift happens.

The similarities between the Appalachian mountains and the Scottish highlands provide evidence for which process?

• continental drift

• fossilization

• climate change

• glacial retreat

Scientists have found fossils from similar regions in very different parts of the world. What statement best explains how the fossils ended up in two different places?

• The fossils came from plants and animals that once existed on connected continents.

• Explorers gave the fossils to indigenous peoples as a peace offering.

• Ancient people carried the fossils with them as they traveled by boat across the oceans.

• Ocean currents carried the fossils and deposited them on different continents.

While to most people the positions of the continents never seem to change, scientists believe that they are always moving. Which statement best explains why most humans have not seen a change in their positions?

• The continents move at very slow, imperceptible speeds.

• The continents are currently not moving.

• Scientists used faulty evidence to explain how continents move.

• Oceans have expanded, making it seem as though continents do not actually move.

Which of the following are pieces of evidence that Wegener used to support his idea of continental drift?

Select all that apply.

• climate zones

• glaciers

• biomes

• rocks

Read the scientific discovery below.

A farmer discovered two dinosaur fossils, from a tyrannosaurus rex and a triceratops, on a ranch in Montana.

Does this evidence support Wegener’s hypothesis?

• Yes, this is evidence for Wegener's hypothesis.

• No, this is not evidence for Wegener's hypothesis.

Read the scientific discovery below.

A tropical fossil fern was found in Africa, Australia, and South America.

Does this evidence support Wegener’s hypothesis?

• Yes, this is evidence for Wegener's hypothesis.

• No, this is not evidence for Wegener's hypothesis.