Name ________________________________________ Date ______________ Class section _______
Chapter 17: The Rock Record
Earth Science
12 pts
Section 17.1: Determining Relative Age
(p. 323-326)
Multiple choice: Choose the one best response. Write the letter of that choice in the space provided.
_____ 1. The concept that the present is the key to the past is part of the ___.
a. type of unconformity
c. law of crosscutting relationships
b. law of superposition
d. principle of uniformitarianism
_____ 2. Sedimentary rocks are generally laid down in nearly horizontal layers called ___.
a. strata
b. striations
c. foliates
d. sheets
_____ 3. Which of the following would most likely be used to determine the relative age of undisturbed
sedimentary strata?
a. principle of uniformitarianism
c. a bedding plane
b. law of superposition
d. law of crosscutting relationships
_____ 4. A gap in the sequence of rock layers is called a(n) ___.
a. bedding plane
b. varve
c. unconformity
d. uniformity
5. Determine the age of each of the layers in the
diagram to the right. On the lines provided, write
the letters, in order, from oldest to youngest.
___C__ _____ _____ _____ __A__
oldest
youngest
6. Identify the layer labeled “D” in the diagram.
______________________________________
Short answer: Answer each question below using complete sentence(s). (2 pts each)
1. _____________________________ indicates that one layer is older or younger than another layer,
but not the exact age of the rock.
2. How can the law of superposition be used to determine the relative age of sedimentary rock?
Write in complete sentences!
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