The History of Life on Earth

How do scientists use fossils to determine the relative ages of rock layers?

• by comparing all the fossils in one rock layer

• by comparing fossils in many different rock layers

• by locating other areas of the world where the same fossils are found

• by determining the positions of fossils in many different rock layers

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Which of these answers best describes a fossil?

• organism from which other organisms are descended

• thick layers of rock

• remains of a once-living organism found in layers of rock, ice, or amber

• body of an organism that died recently but has not decomposed

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The figure shows one type of physical evidence that scientists use to understand Earth’s past. What type of physical evidence is shown in this figure?

• fossil

• coprolite

• ice core

• tree rings

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which of these choices is an example of the way an evolutionary biologist would use relative dating?

• classifying rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic

• placing fossil-containing rock layers in order from oldest to youngest

• determining the minerals that make up rocks

• using radioactive isotopes to determine the exact age of fossils found in rock samples

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The diagram shows a portion of a fossil record in sedimentary rock. Different rock layers and fossils are clearly visible .Which layer of rock is the oldest?

• Layer A

• Layer D

• Layer B

• They are all the same age

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The diagram shows a portion of a fossil record in sedimentary rock. Different rock layers and fossils are clearly visible .Which layer of rock is the youngest?

• Layer A

• Layer D

• Layer B

• They are all the same age

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which pair of features have a similar structure but a different function in each organism?

• a dolphin fin and a shark fin

• the wing of a bumblebee and the wing of a bird

• the front leg of a cat and the wing of a bat

• human fingernails and monkey fingernails

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

In addition to genetic evidence, what other types of evidence can a scientist use to determine if two species are closely related?

• anatomical similarities

• extinction patterns

• food preferences

• habitat similarities

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-3

Which organism is most closely related to fish?

• frog

• bird

• snake

• dinosaur

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Which piece of evidence could be used to show that woolly mammoths and modern elephants are directly related to each other and share a common ancestor?

• Their social behavior includes traveling in herds for warmth and protection.

• They both produce one large offspring at a time, usually in the spring.

• They both eat only plants.

• They share similar anatomical features, such as long trunks.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2