Fossils STAAR

Based upon the image above of a fossilized tooth, what would this ancient organism have eaten?

• fruits

• plants

• other animals/meat

• water only

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram shows layers of sedimentary rock and examples of the fossils each layer contains, Which layer contains the oldest fossils? 

• Layer 2

• Layer 4

• Layer 1

• Layer 3

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which fossil layer is the youngest? 

• Layer A

• Layer B

• Layer C

• Layer D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

How are fossils created?

• Traces of organisms harden like rock. 

• Dead organisms are quickly buried for millions of years.

• Animals get trapped.

• All of the above

A student creates a model of the formation of fossil fuels by first placing a layer of leaves, representing organic matter, in the bottom of a cup.  What step will come next in the model?

• Pouring water over the leaves to model washing away by rivers. 

• adding sand on top of the leaves to model burial in sediments. 

• Burning the leaves to model the decay of organic matter. 

• Putting the leaves in the freezer to model conditions on top of mountains. 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Where are most fossils found?

• In sand dunes

• In volcanoes

• In igneous rocks 

• In sedimentary rocks 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The surface of the land displays a mountain range and rivers. What might a scientist conclude about about the environment, based on the fossils in the sedimentary layers?

• The land was once a rainforest.

• The area was once covered by a desert.

• The area was once a grassy plain.

• The area was once near or covered by an ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

This fossil was found at an excavation site in West Texas. What can a scientist determine about this animal from evidence of the fossil?

• This animal was a carnivore.

• This animal was a good swimmer.

• This animal lived in a cold climate.

• This animal lived underground.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Fossil Fuels formed over long periods of time after particles in water settled to the sea floor and formed marine mud.  What kinds of particles needed to be present in the marine mud in order for fossil fuels to form.

• A. Mostly sand and a few small bits of wood

• B. Mostly decaying organisms

• C. Mostly lava and a few sedimentary rocks

• D. Mostly metal minerals

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

What had to be applied in order to make buried organic matter into fossil fuels?

• Industrial Pollution

• Ocean Currents

• Volcanic Activity

• Heat and pressure

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1