Fossils and Their Formation Quiz

What is a fossil?

• Only dinosaur bones

• Preserved evidence of living things from long ago

• Rocks found in deserts

• Ancient artifacts made by humans

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Through which process do most fossils form?

• Volcanic activity

• Erosion

• Permineralization

• Freezing

What happens during the permineralization process?

• Bones turn directly into rock

• Water with dissolved minerals fills spaces in organic material

• Heat melts the remains

• Ice preserves the entire organism

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is a mold fossil?

• A fossil made of metal

• A complete skeleton

• A fossilized plant

• An impression left in rock after remains decay

Why are fossils usually found in sedimentary rocks?

• Because sedimentary rocks are the strongest

• Because igneous rocks destroy organic material

• Because sedimentary rocks are colorful

• Because sedimentary rocks are rare

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1

What is a body fossil?

• A fossilized footprint

• A fossilized nest

• A fossilized part of an ancient living thing

• A fossilized burrow

Which parts of organisms are most likely to become body fossils?

• Soft tissues like skin

• Hard parts like bones and shells

• Fur and feathers

• Muscle tissue

What is a trace fossil?

• A fossil that shows an organism's activities

• A fossil found in volcanic rock

• A fossil of an entire animal

• A fossil found underwater

What can scientists learn from fossilized footprints?

• What color the animal was

• How old the animal was

• How the creature moved and if it lived in groups

• What the animal ate

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

How do fossils help Earth scientists?

• They only show what ancient animals looked like

• They tell us about modern-day animals

• They reveal information about Earth's past climate and geography

• They help predict future weather patterns

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NGSS.MS-LS4-1