Earth's History

A scientist is analyzing rock layers from the Piedmont region of Georgia. The deeper layers contain fossils of small fish, amphibians, and shallow-rooted plants, while the upper layers contain fossils of land mammals and large trees. What is the most likely explanation for how this area changed over time?

• The area was once a desert, but it gradually became wetter.

• The area was once a wetland, but it eventually dried out.

• The area was once a deep ocean, but it slowly filled with sediment.

• The area was once a mountainous region, but erosion flattened it.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Scientists find dinosaur fossils in the bottom rock layers of a cliff and mammal fossils in the middle rock layer of the cliff. Which could best be concluded from this evidence?

• Dinosaurs ate plants.

• Dinosaurs were eaten by the mammals.

• Dinosaurs lived on Earth before the mammals.

• Dinosaurs and mammals lived at the same time.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A scientist finds the bones of a dinosaur. What could help the scientist determine the approximate age of the dinosaur bones?

• the birds living in the area of the bones

• the weather conditions in the area of the bones

• the kinds of trees living in the area of the bones

• the index fossils in the area of the bones

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which characteristic best describes an index fossil?

• It is found only in a specific, small geographic area.

• It is widely distributed and fairly common.

• It comes from a species that existed for a very long time.

• It is rare and difficult to identify.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

All of the following conditions help preserve organisms as fossils EXCEPT ___________.

• quick burial by sediments

• protection from scavengers

• hard parts

• activities of microorganism

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What does the principle of uniformitarianism state?

• Earth's geological features were formed by rapid, catastrophic events.

• Geological processes that occurred in the past are no longer active today.

• The same natural processes that shape Earth today also operated in the past.

• Earth's surface has remained unchanged since its formation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which condition is most likely to increase the chances of fossil preservation?

• Rapid burial and protection from scavengers and decay.

• Exposure to wind and rain over time.

• High temperatures and frequent volcanic activity.

• Constant movement and erosion of sediment.

The diagram below shows layers of sedimentary rock. Assuming that this rock formation is undisturbed, What is the relative age of layer C?

• It is the youngest rock layer.

• It is the oldest rock layer.

• It is older than B and younger than D.

• It is younger than B and older than D.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Why are most fossils found in sedimentary rock?

• Sedimentary rock forms when molten rock cools and solidifies.

• Sedimentary rock forms when layers of sediment are compacted and cemented over time.

• Sedimentary rock forms when heat and pressure chemically change existing rock.

• Sedimentary rock forms due to movements along fault lines at plate boundaries.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Limestone can be found at the top of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. Limestone is a rock that usually forms at the bottom of shallow, warm waters. What does this information show about Earth?

• It shows that Earth circulates its minerals so often that they are forced up to the peaks of mountains.

• It shows that Earth has not changed much over the years, as limestone still remains on mountain peaks.

• It shows that Earth has evolved over time, as areas of land that had once been covered in water no longer are.

• It shows that Earth has mostly convergent plate boundaries that push limestone from the ocean floor to the top of mountains.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2