Earth's History

Which is the oldest rock layer?

• A

• C

• D

• E

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The geologic time scale is subdivided into _____.

• Relative ages
• Absolute ages
• BC and AD
• Eras, periods, and epochs

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What has the study of fossils allowed scientists to do?

• Predict which organisms will become extinct in the future
• Analyze the chemical composition of sedimentary rocks and minerals
• Study present ocean temperatures at different depths
• Describe past environments and the history of life

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Earth's earliest atmosphere lacked which gas that is necessary for life as we know it to exist today?

• Argon

• Oxygen

• Carbon dioxide

• Nitrogen

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?

• Cenozoic era; Tertiary period

• Mesozoic era; Triassic period

• Paleozoic era; Permian period

• Paleozoic era; Mississippian period

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based on fossil evidence.

Which is the BEST conclusion that can be made from comparing the diagrams?

• Elephant species have changed over time.

• Ancient elephants were better adapted than modern elephants

• Elephant habitats have remained the same over time.

• Elephant fossil evidence is widespread and complete

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

When two fish die, Fish A sinks to the bottom of a lake and Fish B washes up on the rocky lake shore.

Why is a fossil more likely to form from the body of Fish A than from the body of Fish B?

• Soft parts of the fish will decay more quickly in the water.

• Sediments in the water will quickly cover the fish

• Scavengers in the water will eat the remains of the fish.

• Currents in the water will move the fish.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What information can radiometric dating give?

• relative age of a rock sample

• absolute age of a rock sample

• number of trace fossils in a rock sample

• number of index fossils in a rock sample

Geological evidence shows that fossil ancestors of Australian species are the same as fossil ancestors of species in Africa, South America, India, and Antarctica. Which best explains this?

• Rocks containing fossils of these organisms were carried to other places by ocean currents.

• Global climate changes occurred, forcing animals to migrate from their native lands.

• The same organisms evolved separately on different continents.

• These areas were once connected as one continent as Pangaea

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4