Fossil Quiz

What can fossils tell us about the organisms that lived millions of years ago?

• They can tell us the color of the organisms.

• They provide clues to the environment and appearance of ancient organisms.

• They indicate the exact DNA sequence of the organisms.

• They show the sounds made by ancient organisms.

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What type of fossil is formed when an organism is covered in a substance like amber, preserving the material inside?

• Cast fossil

• Mold fossil

• Trace fossil

• Inclusion fossil

Which process involves minerals crystallizing to mimic the exact shape of a decaying organism or part?

• Compression

• Petrification

• Encapsulation

• Sedimentation

What are trace fossils?

• Fossils of the actual dead organism

• Impressions of organisms in sediment

• Fossils formed by the activities of organisms while alive

• Fossils formed by covering the organism in ice or amber

What is a common misconception about fossils?

• Fossils are always the actual organisms themselves.

• Fossils can only be found in sedimentary rocks.

• Fossils are less than a thousand years old.

• Fossils are always complete skeletons.

What is the law of superposition as described in the text?

• The oldest layer of rock is always on top.

• The youngest layer of rock is always on top.

• The oldest layer of rock is at the bottom and the youngest at the top.

• All rock layers are the same age.

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According to the text, what can paleontologists learn from studying fossils?

• The identity and origin of the fossil, the fossil's environment, and what the fossil can tell us about the history of Earth.

• The color of prehistoric life.

• Only the age of the rocks surrounding the fossils.

• How to use radioactive dating exclusively.

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What is another method of dating fossils besides studying rock layers?

• Estimating based on size.

• Radioactive dating.

• Guessing based on complexity.

• Comparing to modern animals.

What is the correct order of the fossils from oldest to youngest based on the diagram provided?

• Rock Layer 4, Rock Layer 3, Rock Layer 2, Rock Layer 1.

• Rock Layer 1, Rock Layer 2, Rock Layer 3, Rock Layer 4.

• Rock Layer 3, Rock Layer 4, Rock Layer 1, Rock Layer 2.

• Rock Layer 2, Rock Layer 1, Rock Layer 4, Rock Layer 3.

Tags

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What are scientists who study fossils called?

• Archaeologists.

• Geologists.

• Paleontologists.

• Biologists.

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