Fossils and Ancient Environments Quiz

Which of the following is a common fossil found in Texas?

• Tyrannosaurus rex

• Ammonite

• Triceratops

• Stegosaurus

What can fossils tell us about the environment in which they were formed?

• The color of the sky

• The types of plants and animals that lived there

• The exact temperature of the environment

• The names of the people who lived there

Examine the image of a fossilized leaf. What does this fossil suggest about the past environment?

• It was a desert

• It was a forest

• It was underwater

• It was a mountain

How do scientists use fossil evidence to describe past environments?

• By guessing the weather

• By analyzing the types of fossils found

• By looking at the color of the fossils

• By measuring the size of the fossils

Look at the picture of a trilobite fossil. What does this fossil indicate about the environment it was found in?

• It was a desert

• It was a marine environment

• It was a forest

• It was a tundra

Which of the following is a simple procedure to identify a fossil?

• Using a magnifying glass

• Writing a story

• Drawing a picture

• Singing a song

What is the significance of finding a fossil of a fish in a desert area?

• It indicates the area was always a desert

• It suggests the area was once underwater

• It means fish can live in deserts

• It shows the fish was lost

Analyze the image of a dinosaur footprint fossil. What can this tell us about the dinosaur's environment?

• It lived in a snowy area

• It lived in a warm, muddy area

• It lived in a rocky area

• It lived in a sandy desert

Which of the following terms refers to the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in rock?

• Mineral

• Fossil

• Crystal

• Gem

Why is it important to study fossils?

• To learn about future environments

• To understand past life and environments

• To find treasure

• To create new animals