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- 1. Multiple Choice
Which phrase describes the absolute age of a rock?
does not provide an exact age
is the number of years since it formed
is the age compared to other rocks around it
indicates whether it is younger or older than the rocks above it
- 2. Multiple Choice
A geologist finds four layers of sedimentary rock. She determines that no geologic events have shifted the layers. She labels the layers A, B, C, and D from the top to the bottom.
Which statement about these layers is accurate?
A is older than B.
B is older than C.
C is younger than A.
B is younger than D.
- 3. Multiple Choice
According to the law of superposition, which statement is supported by the diagram?
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers.
Layer C is the oldest layer.
Layer B is younger than layer D.
Layer C is older than layer A.
Layer D is the youngest layer.
- 4. Multiple Choice
The diagram shows horizontal rock layers.
Which statement is accurate?
Layer C is younger than layer A.
Layer D has an older relative age than layer C.
If a geologic event tilted these layers, layer B would no longer be the oldest.
It is possible to determine the absolute age of layer C with the information given.
- 5. Multiple Choice
A geologist finds some tilted sedimentary rock layers.
Which conclusion can the geologist draw by looking at the rock layers?
Their absolute age is 600 million years.
They were tilted before they were deposited.
They were originally deposited horizontally.
The youngest layer was originally deposited as the bottom layer.
- 6. Multiple Choice
In which situation is the principle of cross-cutting relationships useful in determining relative age?
A fault breaks through sedimentary layers.
Fossils of two different species are found in different rock layers.
Sedimentary layers form over millions of years in a lake bottom
Lava flows form on top of one another from several eruptions over time.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Which characteristic is shared by extrusions, intrusions, and faults?
All are cracks.
All are igneous rocks.
All cause gaps in the geologic record.
All are younger than surrounding rocks.
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which feature forms at Earth’s surface from the cooling of lava?
extrusion
fault
intrusion
unconformity
- 9. Multiple Choice
This diagram shows rock formations forming.
Which statement describes one or both formations?
Formation 2 is an extrusion.
Formation 1 is an intrusion.
Formations 1 and 2 are faults.
Formations 1 and 2 are igneous rock.
- 10. Multiple Choice
Which statement explains one reason why unconformities occur?
Rocks along a fault break and move.
Igneous rock forms at Earth’s surface.
No sediment is deposited over a long time.
Igneous rock forms between sedimentary layers.
- 11. Multiple Choice
Which correctly lists three different geologic features that help scientists determine the relative ages of rocks by their positions?
magma, erosion, and intrusions
erosion, magma, and cross-cutting relationships
intrusions, index fossils, and magma
index fossils, intrusions, and cross-cutting relationships
- 12. Multiple Choice
Which phrase describes organisms that formed index fossils?
are extinct
had soft parts
were generally large
lived in a narrow geographic area
- 13. Multiple Choice
How do index fossils help scientists?
They aid in the study of ranges of different organisms.
They advance understanding of the origin of life on Earth.
They aid in comparison of rock layers at distant locations.
They advance understanding of rock type at the time the organism lived.
- 14. Multiple Choice
A scientist finds a fossil that she thinks might make a good index fossil.
Which characteristic does this fossil most likely have?
It is the remains of an organism still found alive today.
It is the remains of an organism that is found in abundance nearb
It is the only fossil for this type of organism that has ever been found.
It is the remains of an organism that lived in a narrow geographic area.
- 15. Multiple Choice
The image shows sedimentary rock layers with index fossils and a fault.
Which statement accurately describes the rock layers?
Layer 8 is older than layer 1.
Layer 3 is younger than layer 6.
Layer 4 and layer 10 are the same relative age.
Layer 2 and layer 9 are the same relative age
- 16. Multiple Choice
Which phrase describes the relative age of a rock?
uses the law of superposition to determine which rock is older or younger
can determine the age based on location of a rock within the same layer
requires only one rock to determine the age
can provide the exact age of a rock
- 17. Multiple Choice
Which feature causes a gap in the geologic record?
extrusion
fault
intrusion
unconformity
- 18. Multiple Choice
Which phrase describes faults?
cause gaps in the geologic record
cause rocks to break and move
are older than surrounding rocks
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