Earth History Geologic Time

Identify the approximate age of the Earth in years.

• 46 million

• 4.6 million

• 46 billion

• 4.6 billion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

An example of absolute dating would be

• determining the minerals that make up a rock

• placing rock layers in order from youngest to oldest

• classifying rocks by type

• using radioactive isotopes to determine the exact age of rock samples

An organism that lived for a short time, over a widespread area, and had very distinct features might make a good ____.

• index fossil

• body fossil

• trace fossil

• impression fossil

All Eras throughout Earth history have lasted the same number of years.

• True

• False

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

In order to determine the relationship between fossils, the ages of the fossils need to be determined. Which process will most accurately determine the ages of two similar fossils?

• by using seismic waves

• by using radioactive dating

• by comparing the two fossils to index fossils

• by looking at the geographic locations where the fossils were found

The diagram shows layers of rock and rock features labeled A-E. Place the letters of the features in the correct order from oldest to youngest

• D-E-C-A-B

• B-C-D-E-A

• A-D-E-C-B

• B-A-C-E-D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The diagram represents layers of exposed rocks where paleontologists have found fossils of early horses. The characteristics of five horse species are listed in the table.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FIVE HORSE SPECIES

Eohippus: Four toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Short-crowned teeth without cement; Height: 38 cm

Equus: One toe on fore foot; One toe on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 150 cm

Merychippus: Three toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 100 cm

Mesohippus: Three toes on fore foot; Three toes on hind foot; Short-crowned teeth without cement; Height: 52 cm

Pliohippus: One toe on fore foot; One toe on hind foot; Long-crowned, cement-covered teeth; Height: 125 cm

Which conclusion about the evolutionary history of horses is best supported by the fossil record evidence?

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in body size.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in toe number.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in tooth crown size.

• Over time, the horse has experienced a reduction in tooth cement covering.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The fossil record shows that some organisms have become extinct. However, some of these extinct organisms closely resemble organisms that are still alive today. Which of the following best describes why some extinct species in the fossil record are similar to organisms living today?

• All organisms have identical genetic codes and therefore produce similar features.

• Organisms are related by a common ancestor that evolved over a very long period of time.

• Organisms adapted the same way to their environments in order to produce beneficial traits.

• Following mass extinctions, new organisms followed the genetic path of the previous extinct organisms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the currently accepted age of Earth?

• about 4.6 million years old

• about 10 billion years old

• about 4.6 billion years old

• about 5.6 billion years old

Scientists use the term evolution to define changes in groups of organisms through time. Which type of evidence most likely provides direct insight into the age, location, and environment in which an organism lived in the past?

• biogeography

• fossil record

• comparative anatomy

• comparative embryology

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1