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- 1. Multiple Choice
A fossil of an organism that only lived on Earth between 100 to 150 million years ago is found in a piece of sedimentary limestone. Which can be concluded about the age of the limestone?
It is older than the fossil
It is younger than the fossil
It is less than 100 million years old
It is between 100 and 150 million years old
- 2. Multiple Choice
The diagrams below show several sedimentary rock layers containing index fossils, and a reference table for the relative dating of the index fossils.
During which time period was layer 2 formed?
between 65 million years ago and 2 million years ago
between 144 million years ago and 64 million years ago
between 206 million years ago and 143 million years ago
between 248 million years ago and 205 million years ago
- 3. Multiple Choice
Which can be inferred about the intrusion of igneous rock into a sedimentary rock layer?
The sedimentary rock is older than the igneous rock.
The igneous rock is older than the sedimentary rock
The sedimentary and igneous rocks are the same age
The rocks should be carbondated to determine which is older
- 4. Multiple Choice
A piece of amber was found in a layer of rock. In the layer of rock below the amber, the fossilized remains of Nerinea trinodosa were also found. Which is true of the two fossils?
The Nerinea trinodosa is older than the amber
The amber is older than the Nerinea trinodosa
The amber and Nerinea trinodosa are exactly the same age
It is impossible to tell which is older without the use of carbon
dating
- 5. Multiple Choice
Which best describes absolute dating of rock layers?
unconformity
superposition
radioactive decay
uniformitarianism
- 6. Multiple Choice
The graphic shows four rock layers with an intrusion cutting through three of them. What can be inferred about the age of the shale?
It is less than 50 million years old.
It is more than 120 million years old.
It is older than 100 million, but younger than 120 million years old.
It is older than 50 million, but younger than 100 million years old.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Why are index fossils used to date other fossils in an area of rock?
Index fossils are rare and unique fossils that exist only in a few areas on Earth.
Index fossils are preserved remains of the soft tissues of animals
that lived during multiple time periods.
Index fossils appear in all rock layers of a given area and are a
reliable mechanism for dating other fossils.
Index fossils appear worldwide in layers of the same type of rock that have been dated to exist during a certain time period.
- 8. Multiple Choice
What is most likely indicated by high concentrations of dust and ash in an ice core?
tsunamis
tidal waves
earthquakes
volcanic eruptions
- 9. Multiple Choice
Where would ice cores that reveal information about past climates most likely be found?
glaciers
ocean floor
volcanic rocks
mountain ranges
- 10. Multiple Choice
In which type of rock would a scientist most likely find an index fossil?
igneous
volcanic
sedimentary
metamorphic
- 11. Multiple Choice
How does the age of a fault compare to the age of the rocks surrounding it?
The fault is older than the rock
The fault is younger than the rock.
The fault and the rock are the same age
The fault and the surrounding rock must be carbon dated to
determine which is older
- 12. Multiple Choice
Christina found fossilized coral in her backyard, although she does not live near an ocean. Which is most likely true?
The coral came from a freshwater lake nearby
The land on which her house is built was once under sea water
Winds from a recent storm picked up the coral and moved it to her
yard.
Corals were once terrestrial animals and evolved to live in the ocean
later.
- 13. Multiple Choice
Which provides the most information for climate studies if trapped in ice cores?
oxygen
bacteria
sediments
carbon dioxide
- 14. Multiple Choice
Four fossils were discovered and identified according to the rock layer in which each was found, as shown below. Which is the best conclusion that can be drawn from analysis of these fossil records?
The region where the fossils were found began as a terrestrial
ecosystem and evolved over time into an aquatic ecosystem.
The region where the fossils were found began as an aquatic
ecosystem and evolved over time into a terrestrial ecosystem.
The region where the fossils were found represents a terrestrial
ecosystem and an aquatic ecosystem that existed at the same time.
The region where the fossils were found changed back and forth
several times between a terrestrial ecosystem and an aquatic
ecosystem.
- 15. Multiple Choice
How do fossils support the idea that continents were once one big land mass?
The same fossils have been found all over the world
The same fossils have been found throughout different rock layers
The same fossils have been found across multiple continents and on the ocean floor.
The same fossils have been found on the edges of continents that
are on different sides of an ocean
- 16. Multiple Choice
Why do trilobite fossils serve as excellent index fossils?
They are found in ancient oceans
They are found all over the world
They are found in deep sedimentary rock layers
They are among the first fossils to attract widespread attention
- 17. Multiple Choice
Which would most likely be considered the oldest?
a fossil found as an impression in a tree
a fossil found as an impression in concrete
a fossil found buried deep within layers of rock
a fossil found shallowly buried within layers of rock
- 18. Multiple Choice
Based on the fossil record, which are more likely to contain fossils resembling existing species?
rock samples taken from deeper layers
rock samples taken from layers near fault lines
rock samples taken from layers found near volcanoes and deserts
rock samples taken from layers that were deposited more recently
- 19. Multiple Choice
Where did living things first appear on Earth, based on geological evidence?
oceans
deserts
volcanoes
grasslands
- 20. Multiple Choice
How does studying comparative anatomy of organisms support the theory of evolution?
It shows that organisms have different body structures
It can prove descent of modern organisms from a common ancestor
It can prove that organisms that are related can share food
resources.
It shows that organisms have the same mechanisms for trapping and transferring energy.
- 21. Multiple Choice
Which is an example of geologic evolution?
biodiversity
continental drift
natural selection
development of tools
- 22. Multiple Choice
Geological evidence shows that fossil ancestors of Australian species are the same as fossil ancestors of species in Africa, South America, India, and Antarctica. Which best explains this?
Rocks containing fossils of these organisms were carried to other
places by ocean currents.
Global climate changes occurred, forcing animals to migrate from their native lands.
The same organisms evolved separately on different continents
These areas were once connected as one continent
- 23. Multiple Choice
Which best demonstrates the use of comparative anatomy to classify organisms?
A whale, horse and human have a forelimb with similar bone structure.
The fins of a fish and the flipper of a whale have similar functions
The jointed legs of insects and vertebrates are similar
Insects and birds both have wings
- 24. Multiple Choice
According to research accepted by most scientists, which statement is true?
Extinction is very uncommon in the fossil record
Most species that have lived on Earth still exist today
Although fossils have similarities and differences, they are not comparable to one another or to modern living organisms
Thousands of layers of sedimentary rock provide evidence for the long history of changing life forms whose remains are found in the rocks.
- 25. Multiple Choice
On a dig site, an archaeologist observes that fossils become less complex as the excavation site deepens. Which conclusion can the archaeologist most likely make?
Older fossils are found in the deeper rock layers
Younger fossils are found in the deeper rock layers
Fossils from deeper layers are from extinct organisms.
Fossils from shallower layers are from extinct organisms
- 26. Multiple Choice
Which population of giraffes will most likely thrive in an environment with very tall trees?
those that run the fastest
those with the longest necks
those with the shortest necks
those that blend in with their environment
- 27. Multiple Choice
As continents formed, Earth’s climate changed and exposed more land. How did climate changes make the environment more favorable for reptiles than amphibians?
Less water was available as the climate became drier, which favored reptiles.
Less water was available as the climate became cooler, which favored reptiles.
More water became available as the climate became wetter, which
favored reptiles.
More water became available as the climate became warmer, which
favored reptiles.
- 28. Multiple Choice
Based on evolutionary theory, how is the success of an organism determined?
whether it dominates its environment
whether it is useful or beautiful to humans
whether it is able to survive in harsh conditions
whether it can pass its genes to a future generation
- 29. Multiple Choice
Which traits contribute most to a bird’s ability to fly?
few feathers and long beaks
light weight and short beaks
hollow bones and many feathers
medium beaks and hollow bones
- 30. Multiple Choice
Which fish are most likely to survive and produce many offspring?
fast swimmers that blend in with the environment and have a variety of food sources
fast swimmers that are brightly colored and only eat bottom dwellers
slow swimmers that live near the surface and only eat the largest fish
slow swimmers that are dullcolored and live in coral reefs
- 31. Multiple Choice
Which statement is true?
Genetic variation has no effect on an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.
The higher the genetic variation of a species, the lower the organism’s ability to adapt to its environment.
The lower the genetic variation of a species, the better the
organism’s ability to adapt to its environment
The higher the genetic variation of a species, the better the
organism’s ability to adapt to its environment
- 32. Multiple Choice
The image below shows four species of finches Charles Darwin found on the Galapagos Islands. How has genetic variation impacted these birds’ survival as they coexist in the same ecosystem?
Genetic variation has allowed the birds to adapt to feed upon different sources on the island
Genetic variation has caused the birds to develop larger eyes in order to more easily spot prey and predators
Genetic variation has caused the birds to be active during different times of the day in order to avoid competition
Genetic variation has allowed the birds to adapt to have different appearances in order to camouflage in the environment
- 33. Multiple Choice
Elephants have been hunted and killed for their ivory tusks. Over time, the number of elephants with tusks has decreased, while the number of elephants without tusks has increased. Which best explains this?
Elephants with tusks are not as physically strong as elephants without tusks
Elephants without tusks are genetically more vigorous than elephants with tusks
Elephants with tusks did not live to reproduce and pass the genes for tusks to their offspring
Elephants without tusks possess dominant genes and these genes were passed to their offspring.
- 34. Multiple Choice
Based on the idea of “survival of the fittest,” which characteristic is most important for the survival of a species of organisms?
long life span
large body size
genetic variation
ability to run or fly
- 35. Multiple Choice
Why is geology important when studying biological classification systems?
Rocks provide shelter for many types of organisms
Rocks perform many of the same processes as living organisms
Rocks can contain evidence that organisms have changed through time.
The basic components of rocks are very similar to those of living organisms.
- 36. Multiple Choice
How have anatomical structures gradually become better adapted to organisms’ respective habitats?
random mutations and random selection
random mutations and natural selection
natural mutations and random selection
natural mutations and natural selection
- 37. Multiple Choice
Which would most likely share a common ancestor?
organisms with similar diets
organisms who have homologous structures
organisms with similar physical characteristics
organisms found in the same geographic location
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