Quiz about Geologic History Review

Question 1

The diagram below shows fossils and rock features.

How does intrusion X compare to the ages of the other rock layers and fossils in this geologic column?

Accepted Answer

Intrusion X is younger than the broadleaf and fern fossils.

Answer

Intrusion X is older than layers Y and Z.

Answer

Intrusion X is younger than all the layers.

Answer

Intrusion X is older than the clam and broadleaf fossils.

Question 2

Which is true?

Accepted Answer

Intrusion X is younger than layers Z and Y.

Answer

Layer W is older than intrusion X.

Answer

The broadleaf fossil is older than the fern fossil.

Answer

The clam fossil is younger than the reptile bone fossil.

Question 3

Which is younger than the broadleaf fossil?

Accepted Answer

intrusion X

Answer

layer Z

Answer

layer Y

Answer

fern fossil

Question 4

Which is younger than the clam fossil?

Accepted Answer

reptile bone

Answer

layer Z

Answer

broadleaf

Answer

intrusion X

Question 5

Scientists can use relative dating, absolute dating, or a combination of the two techniques to determine the age of a fossil. Which of the following could be determined using both methods?

Accepted Answer

which of two fossils is the older

Answer

the difference in age between two fossils

Answer

a narrow age range for a fossil

Answer

the exact age of a fossil

Question 6

The diagram shows different layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer is labeled with a letter. Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?

Accepted Answer

Layer I is older than Layer B.

Answer

The left part of Layer B is younger than the right part.

Answer

The left part of Layer F is the same age as Layer M.

Answer

Layer R is older than Layer M.

Question 7

In what type of rock would a geologist MOST likely find evidence of ancient life?

Accepted Answer

sedimentary

Answer

foliated

Answer

metamorphic

Answer

volcanic

Question 8

The rock layers below were dated using the radioactive decay method. If the layers have been undisturbed, which best represents their arrangement from bottom to top?

Accepted Answer

X, Y, W, Z

Answer

W, X, Y, Z

Answer

Z, W, Y, X

Answer

Z, Y, X, W

Question 9

Based on the diagram, which is true?

Accepted Answer

Layer X is older than layer Y.

Answer

Layer U is the oldest.

Answer

Layer Z is the youngest.

Answer

Layer T is older than layer S.

Question 10

A teacher gave students this diagram of rock layers. The teacher directed the students to determine the relative age of each rock layer based only on the information presented in the diagram. Which method can BEST be used by the students to determine the relative age of these layers?

Accepted Answer

the law of superposition

Answer

radiometric dating

Answer

rock type evaluation

Answer

principle of uniformitarianism

Question 11

Which of the following BEST describes the fossil at Point 3 when compared with the fossils at Points 1 and 2?

Accepted Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is older.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is less common.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is smaller.

Answer

The fossil at Point 3 is more complex.

Question 12

Which method would be BEST for scientists to use to determine the absolute age of a Precambrian igneous rock?

Accepted Answer

radiometric dating

Answer

index fossils

Answer

law of superposition

Answer

law of original horizontality

Question 13

A geologist uncovered a fossil while digging in the side of a hill. He hypothesized that it was MOST likely from the end of the Paleozoic era or the beginning of the Mesozoic era. How old would the fossil have to be dated in order to support his hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

225 million years old

Answer

100 million years old

Answer

400 million years old

Answer

550 million years old

Question 14

The geologic map below shows several rock formations exposed when a road is cut through a hillside. Which formation in this geological map is youngest?

Accepted Answer

2

Answer

1

Answer

3

Answer

4

Question 15

A section of a rock layer is shown. The evidence in these rock layers BEST support which conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The oldest fossils in this section of rock are trilobites.

Answer

Eurypterids are related to modern-day scorpions and crabs.

Answer

Eurypterids were the least common type of organism in this section of rock.

Answer

There is some overlap in the presence of brachiopods and ammonites on Earth.

Question 16

A certain fossil (Y) is found in a layer of rock that lies between two index fossils, X and Z. Surprisingly, the older of the index fossils (Z) is found above the other fossils, suggesting that the rock layer has overturned. Which dating method is BEST to confirm the rock layer has overturned by determining the ages of these fossils?

Accepted Answer

radiometric analysis

Answer

anatomical comparison

Answer

gene sequencing

Answer

fossil depth measurement

Question 17

Geologists use radiometric dating, the law of superposition, and index fossils to establish the ages of various rock layers in a formation. Why would a geologist use the law of superposition and index fossils to date a rock formation when radiometric dating is available?

Accepted Answer

Radiometric dating is inaccurate when used on sedimentary rocks.

Answer

Calculating ages using index fossils confirms evolutionary sequences.

Answer

Radiometric and fossil dating are only effective on organic matter.

Answer

The law of superposition gives the most specific dating information.

Question 18

A fossil discovered in Colorado dates from the early Mesozoic era. A year later a similar fossil is found in Wyoming that also dates from the early Mesozoic era. These two organisms most likely lived in

Accepted Answer

the same environment at about the same time.

Answer

the same environment at different times.

Answer

different environments at about the same time.

Answer

different environments at different times.

Question 19

Certain fossils can be used to help determine the age of the rock layer in which the fossils are found. Which type of fossil is BEST to use when making this determination?

Accepted Answer

index fossil

Answer

marine mammal fossil

Answer

swamp fern fossil

Answer

trace fossil

Question 20

Scientists estimate that if index fossils were deposited during a certain time frame, then the entire rock layer was also deposited at the same time. A scientist finds Trophite fossils. According to the chart above, in what era and period was this rock layer deposited?

Accepted Answer

Mesozoic era; Triassic period

Answer

Cenozoic era; Tertiary period

Answer

Paleozoic era; Permian period

Answer

Paleozoic era; Mississippian period

Question 21

A complete fossil has been found of a type of bird that cannot be identified. What can MOST likely be determined about the bird from the fossil?

Accepted Answer

The bird existed at one time but is now extinct.

Answer

The bird lived for a very short time.

Answer

The bird lived in a dry environment.

Answer

The bird was not well preserved during the process of fossilization.

Question 22

Paleontologists are scientists who study evidence of past life on Earth. Which method do paleontologists MOST likely use to determine the forms of life that existed millions of years ago?

Accepted Answer

examine fossils records

Answer

examine current species of plants and animals

Answer

research past species in the library

Answer

interview older scientists

Question 23

Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can BEST determine

Accepted Answer

the period during which Florida was covered in water.

Answer

when Florida collided with the North American continent.

Answer

the date when organisms moved onto dry land.

Answer

when the atmosphere of Earth was more humid than it is today.

Question 24

For many years scientists thought that dinosaurs rapidly replaced their ancestors. New information shows that dinosaurs and their non-dinosaur ancestors may have existed together for tens of millions of years. Which evidence MOST likely made it possible to support the idea that dinosaurs and their ancestors coexisted for millions of years?

Accepted Answer

Bones of three different species were found in the same rock layer.

Answer

Fewer fossils were found of amphibians than of dinosaurs.

Answer

More fossils found were of larger organisms than of dinosaurs.

Answer

Herbivore bones were found in each rock layer.

Question 25

Which of these conditions would MOST likely be shown in the fossil record as a reason for mass extinctions?

Accepted Answer

falling sea levels and global cooling

Answer

increased competition for resources

Answer

organisms with beneficial traits

Answer

increased solar activity

Question 26

Trilobites are extinct animals that lived in the oceans. Fossils of these animals can be found in dry areas such as Cincinnati. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Cincinnati was once covered by the ocean where trilobites lived.

Answer

Trilobites now live underground.

Answer

Trilobites are the ancestors of jellyfish.

Answer

The environment changed, creating small saltwater lakes in Cincinnati.

Question 27

Structural geologists study rock formations to determine the type of environment in which the rocks formed and the events that shaped the rocks. Paleontologists study fossils found in rock formations. Scientists in both these fields have a common interest in discovering the

Accepted Answer

history and processes of Earth.

Answer

elements that make up the crust.

Answer

types of minerals that make up sediments.

Answer

relationships between Earth and other planets.

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