Earth History Test

The best index fossils have which two traits?

• widespread geographically, long lifespan

• widespread geographically, short lifespan

• specific place, long lifespan

• specific place, short lifespan

Which is an example of uniformitarianism?

• Volcanoes erupt the same now as in the past

• earthquakes happen the same now as they did in the past

• the earth's plates continue to move and shift

• all of these are true

Which of these provides the BEST evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?

• hot spots on ocean floors

• seismic activity along plate boundaries

• sediment buildup on continental slope

• marine fossils found on land masses

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement correctly describes the relative ages of the rock layers shown in the diagram?

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

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

• Layer R is older than Layer M.

• Layer I is older than Layer B.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The geologic map above shows several rock formations exposed when a road is cut through a hillside.

Which formation in this geological map is youngest?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram shows where fossils of two organisms were found in rock layers.

Which conclusion does this diagram BEST support?

• The earthquake that caused the fault most likely killed both organisms because the fossils formed during the time of the earthquake.

• The fault formed while Organism X was living and after Organism Y had died because the fault is located between the two fossils.

• Both organisms lived at the same time because the fossils they formed were found in rock layers of about the same depth.

• Organism Y lived before Organism X because Organism Y was found in an older rock layer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which statement best describes the Law of Superposition?

• Each sedimentary layer of rock represents 1,000 years of Earth’s age, much like the rings of a tree.

• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the upper rock layers are older than the lower rock layers.

• In undisturbed layers of sedimentary rock, the lowest layers contain the older rocks.

• Rocks that form near volcanoes are older than surrounding rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which best describes the age of the fish relative to the age of the fern and the age of the shell?

• The fish is older than both the fern and the shell.

• The fish is younger than both the fern and the shell.

• The fish is older than the fern, but younger than the shell.

• The fish is younger than the fern, but older than the shell.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

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

Fossils of the fern Glossopteris have been found in the continents of South America, Africa, Asia, and Antarctica. The seeds of this fern were too small to be dispersed by wind. Which is BEST supported by the presence of Glossopteris fossils on these continents?

• Glossopteris was versatile enough to adapt to all climates.

• The landmasses were joined together in prehistoric times.

• Fossils were much better preserved in the southern continents.

• The northern climate regions were not suitable for plant growth.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS4-1