FossilsSTAAR5.9D

Which statement BEST explains why seashell fossils can be found on some mountains?

• The rocks formed under water.

• Rivers carried the rocks up the mountains.

• The area was a sand dune that hardened as it was covered by water.

• The mountains split to form canyons that contained organisms with shells.

This discovery suggests to scientists that this area in Alaska once was -

• Covered with an ocean

• Warmer than it is now

• Populated by polar bears

• Changed by earthquakes

Which question can scientists most likely answer from studying the fossil of the dinosaur?

• What was the pattern on the skin of the dinosaur?

• What was the type of food the dinosaur ate?

• How fast was the heart of the dinosaur beating?

• How many eggs were in the nest of the dinosaur?

Which question can the scientist most likely answer by examining this fossil?

• What was the average monthly rainfall in the area?

• How much water was absorbed by the roots of the plant?

• How much oxygen was in the atmosphere surrounding the plant?

• What was the environment like in the area when the plant was alive?

Layer 3 contains many plant fossils. Layer 3 most likely formed in which of these environments?

• Desert

• Forest

• Ocean

• Tundra