Geologic History and the Evolution of Life

In the geologic history of the Earth, which time is characterized by the dominance of reptiles and the presence of small mammals, birds, and flowering plants?

• Cenozoic

• Mesozoic
  

• Paleozoic

• Precambrian
  

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Geologists studied fossils taken from the top of a mountain. The chart lists several fossils taken from this location as well as their original habitat.What can be concluded based on the fossil evidence?

• The mountain climate was once much warmer than it is today.

• The mountain climate was once much colder than it is today.

• The mountain was covered by water at some point in the past.

• The elevation in the area was much higher at some point in the past.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

The fossils of the same species of lizard were collected from rock layers in two different continents. What evidence does it suggest?

• The two continents were in different hemispheres.

• The two continents were once part of a single large continent.

• The lizard migrated across the ocean to the other continent.

• The lizard evolved on two continents at the same time.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The diagram shows a sedimentary rock sample that contains igneous rock intrusions.Which sequence shows the age of the fossils from oldest to youngest?

• 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

• 3, 5, 4, 2, 1

• 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

• 5, 4, 2, 1, 3
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The time line shows the evolution of life forms during the geologic time scale.Which statement is supported by the time line?

• Dinosaurs became extinct 150 million years ago.

• Birds evolved approximately 275 million years ago.

• Animals started inhabiting land approximately 300 million years ago.

• Insects and amphibians appeared approximately 325 million years ago.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What evidence would a scientist use to determine the age of rock in a layer?

• index fossils

• living fossils

• resin fossils

• trace fossils
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What is the most logical conclusion about a layer of rock near the top of a canyon?

• The layers near the top are older than layers below.

• The layers near the top are younger than layers below.

• The top layer will have more fossils than layers below.

• The top layer will have less fossils than layers below.
  

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

What technological process has been used by scientists to determine that the age of the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old?

• seismic waves to locate fossils deep in the Earth's crust

• radioactive dating of rocks in the Earth's crust

• x-rays of rocks and the Law of Superposition

• electron microscope images to study fossils
  

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

What initial catastrophic event is most likely responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs?

• the impact of many tornadoes during a massive storm

• the impact of a large asteroid or comet hitting Earth's surface

• the rise of sea levels caused by melting glaciers

• the rise of mammals that became predators of dinosaurs
  

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

The image shows fossils found in a section of sedimentary rock.In which layer are the oldest fossils found?

• Layer A

• Layer B
  

• Layer C

• Layer D
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4