8.LS4.1 Patterns in the Fossil Record 8th Grade TNReady #2

The scientists both used the same colors and patterns to represent different types of rocks. They also used the same set of black-and-white symbols to represent specific types of fossils in the layers. By correlating layers based on fossils and rock types, the two scientists have discovered that certain rock layers are present in both locations. Based on this information, if the age of layer R is 260 million years, then what other layer likely also has an age of 260 million years?

• I

• II

• III

• IV

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Scientists suspect that modern horses have different dietary habits than horses that lived long ago. Which of the following would be best for a scientist to do to determine whether the dietary habits of horses have changed over time?

• compare the teeth of modern horses to the teeth of modern donkeys

• study the overall anatomy of a modern horse

• compare the teeth of modern horses to fossilized teeth from ancient horses

• study the diet of modern horses

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The life form represented by the fossil in rock layer 1 is not present in any of the layers above it. What is the most likely explanation for this?

• The life form only recently evolved.

• The life form only recently moved to the region.

• The life form became extinct in the region long ago.

• The life form evolved into all of the species in the next layer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

If the age of layer 4 is 400 million years and the age of layer 1 is 500 million years, then the age of Layer 3 is

• older than 500 million years.

• between 400 million and 500 million years.

• younger than 400 million years.

• 500 million years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

While examining a layer of rock, a scientist found a fossil of a trilobite like the one shown below. The scientist knows that trilobites only lived during the Paleozoic era. The scientist finds fossilized remains of other species in the same rock layer as the trilobite. What can the scientist conclude about these other fossils?

• The organisms that formed them must have evolved from trilobites.

• The organisms that formed them likely went extinct before the Paleozoic era.

• The organisms that formed them likely also lived during the Paleozoic era.

• The organisms that formed them are still living in modern times.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What do these layers and their fossils suggest about Earth's history?

• Only one kind of lifeform lived where these layers formed.

• There have been changes in Earth's lifeforms over time.

• No lifeforms were present when these layers formed.

• Lifeforms on Earth have been the same over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2