Superposition Quiz
1.
The Law of Superposition states that layers of undisturbed rock are organized by their age, with the ___________ layers on top and ______________ layers below. a.
Oldest, younger b.
Youngest, older c.
Darkest, lighter d.
Lightest, denser
2.
Look at the picture to the right. Which layer is oldest? a.
A b.
c.
d.
B
C
D
A
B
C
D
3.
Look at the picture to the right. Place the layers in order from oldest to youngest. a.
D, C, B, A, E b.
c.
d.
A, B, C, D, E
D, C, B, E, A
D, C, E, B, A
A
B
C
D
E
4.
Place the fossil skulls in order from youngest to oldest. a.
W, X, Z, Y b.
Y, Z, X, W c.
X, W Y, Z d.
Z, Y, X, W
5.
If artifact 6 is 600 years old, how closely can we approximate the date of artifact 7? a.
They are similar in age because they are in the same layer b.
Artifact 7 is slightly younger because the layer above is more shallow c.
Artifact 7 is slightly older because it’s buried deeper d.
Artifact 6 is older because the artifact is darker https://www.utexas.edu/courses/denbow/labs/lab1-strat2.htm
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Answer Key:
1.
B
2.
D
3.
C
4.
C
5.
A
Explanation: Older layers are covered up as new layers are created, placing the oldest at the bottom and youngest at the top.
Explanation: The Law of Superposition tells us that the oldest layers will be found on the bottom of a cross-section of Earth.
Explanation: Layer “E” bisects B, C, and D which means they all had to be created before
E bisected them. A covers everything making it the newest.
Explanation: Although the skulls are laying at various depths with respect to each other, students need to focus on the layer in which they are buried.
Explanation: Artifacts 6 and 7 are part of the same layer, so they should be roughly the same age.
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