Question Bank for Grade 8 Science

What can ice cores most accurately tell you about Earth’s history for a given location?

• the climate at that time

• the plants that grew at that time

• the animals that lived at that time

Which is the best example of an index fossil?

• corals found in rock layers worldwide

• dinosaur bones found only in Australia

• footprints of different types of dinosaurs

A paleontologist observes similar reptiles in the same rock layers in a cliff and none in rock layers above. Which is the most likely explanation from this observation?

• The continents separated.

• The reptiles moved to a new area.

• The reptiles evolved into a new species.

Throughout Earth’s history, igneous rocks have been most closely

associated with which landform?

• mountain

•   plateau

• volcano

Why are sedimentary rocks more useful than other rocks for finding evidence of the Earth’s history?

• High heat melts the rock, trapping fossils inside.

•   Minerals left behind by moving water seal and protect fossil remains.

• The composition of sedimentary rocks prevents them from being weathered and eroded.

Which is the best evidence that Earth went through an Ice Age?

• Sea levels were lower in the past than they are now.

•   Rocks were deposited by glaciers in now-temperate areas.

• River meanders were created by melted water from glaciers.

Which theory does evidence found in sedimentary rocks best support?

• Most organisms from Earth’s history still exist.

• Organisms have not changed significantly over time.

• All organisms from Earth’s history have become extinct.

• Organisms have evolved from simple to complex forms.

A fault is found that cuts through lower rock layers but not those above it. What can most likely be concluded?

• The fault is the same age as the layers it cuts through, and the same age as the layers above it.

• The fault is younger than the layers it cuts through, and younger than the layers above it.

• The fault is younger than the layers it cuts through, but older than the layers above it.

The discovery of the theory of continental drift led to the subsequent discovery of which theory?

• theory of relativity

• theory of superposition

• theory of plate tectonics

Which are most closely associated with volcanic activity, plate tectonics, and seafloor spreading?

•   fossils

• mountains

• igneous rocks