1. Through relative dating, a geologist finds a fossil that is
approximately 10,000 years old. Which radioactive element
would the geologist most likely use to accurately calculate the fossil’s
age? Explain your answer.
Carbon-14
half-life of 5,700 years
Gallium-67
half-life of 78 hours
Iodine-129
half-life of 16 million years
Plutonium-238
half-life of 88 years
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. Scientists have discovered a fossil skeleton of a whale-like creature
that lived in the early Eocene epoch. The skeleton shows an organism
with large fore and hind limbs with distinct toes. Fossil skeletons of
closely related species from later periods show organisms lacking
hind limbs. What conclusion does this observation support?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
3. The diagram below shows several sedimentary rock layers
containing index fossils. Which layer contains the oldest fossils?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. The diagram below shows several layers of rock and associated
geologic features that have occurred throughout Earth’s history.
Place them in sequence showing the order in which each rock layer or
geologic event occurred.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Page 1/11
5. Fossils were discovered in four different sedimentary rock layers as
shown below. Write a statement that describes the age of the fish
relative to the age of the fern and the age of the shell?
7. A section of a rock layer is shown. Write a statement about the
Trilobites in these rock layers.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
6. Scientists estimate that if index fossils were deposited during a
certain time frame, then the entire rock layer was also deposited at
the same time. A scientist finds Trophite fossils. According to the
chart, circle the era and period this rock layer deposited.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
8. This picture shows the supercontinent of Pangaea. Which best
describes the pattern of movement indicated by the first split in
Pangaea?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
Page 2/11
9. Scientists theorize that the ancient animal on the left is related to
the modern animal on the right and has gone through many changes
over time. What evidence would the scientists use to conclude that
the animal changed over time?
11. The diagram below shows the Earth’s crustal plates.
Tectonic plates are located within which layer of Earth? What makes
the plates move?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
10. While digging in the side of a hill, students found fossils in the
rock layers. From the fossils they uncovered, describe how the
environment for this area changed with time.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
12. The diagram shows carbon dioxide
levels preserved in an ice core. Which
layer of the ice core shows the highest
concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere?
_______________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
Page 3/11
13. The graph shows possible changes to sea level over geologic
time. What tyoe of rock formations would scientists most likely study
to construct this graph?
15. Scientists have identified four sedimentary rock layers from an
archaeological dig as shown below. Which is most likely the oldest
sedimentary rock layer?
______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
16. A habitat from the geologic past is being reconstructed. A
researcher hypothesizes that the area was inhabited by small rodents.
What kind of discoveries would cause the researcher to change the
hypothesis?
14. A scientist drew some diagrams of ancestors of elephants based
on fossil evidence. Which is a basic conclusion that can be made from
comparing the diagrams?
_________________________________________________________
Review
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Page 4/11
17. Which bird would be best adapted to eat the seeds from very
hard shells? Explain your answer.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
18. Relationships in a grassland ecosystem are shown below. Which
best describes the changes in the populations of brown grasshoppers
and green grasshoppers over time in this grassland ecosystem?
19. The diagram below represents the evolutionary history of the
horse. Make a statement that best accounts for the changes in the
horse?
Horse Evolution Over Time
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
20. In the rain forest, the thick foliage allows limited sunlight to filter
through to the forest floor. Which wild cat species is best adapted to
living in the rain forest and WHY???
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
Page 5/11
21. The forelimbs of two animals are shown below. Write three
statements that could be concluded from this information?
1. A certain species of rabbits exists in a forest, and through genetic
variation, furry rabbits and thin-furred rabbits are produced. What
will most likely happen to the rabbit population over time if global
temperatures drop by 10 degrees over thousands of years?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
2. A new predator moves into an area with a population of rabbits.
The rabbits with longer back legs have an advantage because they can
run faster and escape the predator. What will be the most
likely effect on the rabbit population?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
22. Four species of Galapagos finches are shown below.
Explains why the birds evolved with differently shaped beaks?
_________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
3. A rock sample has 25% of its original radioactive element and the
half-life of the element is 1 million years. How old is the sample?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
4. A sedimentary rock found in a hillside is identified as sandstone.
Which can most likely be concluded about the hillside? (Think about
what makes sand, a lot of sand)
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
5. An undisturbed rock geologic column has a fossil of a reptile
species in the lowest rock layer, an index fossil that was present 1
million years ago in the middle rock layer, and a fossil of a clam
species in the topmost rock layer. Write one true statement about
this situation:
_________________________________________________________
Page 6/11
6. Archaeologists are working in a previously undisturbed dig site. A
fossil is found at a depth of 5 meters, and a second fossil is found at a
depth of 20 meters. When comparing the two fossils, what conclusion
can the archaeologists most likely make?
12.
Geologists are conducting research in Hawaii. Which rock will
be most abundant?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
13.
How are sedimentary rocks used to classify fossils that may be
embedded in the rock layers? What is the name of the law governing
this concept?
7. Based on the law of superposition, what best describes the ages of
four undisturbed rock layers relative to one another?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
8. Bird A can blend in with its environment, fly far, and eat a variety
of nuts and seeds. Bird B is an unusually colored, weak flyer that eats
only one type of seed regularly. What will most likely happen over
time?
14.
How is genetic variation related to an organism’s ability to
adapt to its environment?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
15.
If global warming increases, what characteristics would cause
an animal to be selected against for survival?
9. By which method have scientists determined that the Earth is
about 4.5 billion years old?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
16.
In what type of rock would a geologist most likely find
evidence of ancient life?
10.
Evolution can best be described as what rate of change?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
17.
James is examining two different fossil specimens. The fossils
of both organisms show wings with similar bone structure. What
conclusion can James most likely make?
11.
Fossil remains can be found in what type of rock?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
Page 7/11
18.
Paleontologists are scientists who study evidence of past life
on Earth. What earthen material would paleontologists use to
determine the forms of life that existed millions of years ago?
_________________________________________________________
19.
Polar bears are naturally found in Arctic environments
characterized by snow, ice, and extremely low temperatures. What is
an attribute of these bears that describes an evolutionary adaptation
that allows them to survive in this environment?
24.
Students are observing two fossils in a lab. They are told by
the teacher that the fossils were found in different rock layers. What
can the students most likely determine from just observing the
fossils? Think about the age of the fossils, the environment of the
fossils, body structure of the fossils – what could be determined?
_________________________________________________________
25.
The human arm contains the radius and ulna bones. Whales,
bats, and dogs also have these bones. Write a statement to explain
this relationship between the organisms?
_________________________________________________________
20.
Scientists found a fossil of an elephant in the African
Savannah. It has much longer tusks and is much larger than elephant
species presently inhabiting the area. This elephant fossil
demonstrates that an animal can _____________________ over time.
21.
Scientists studying rock layers classify the top layer as the
most recent, followed by older layers that are uncovered as they dig
deeper. Which law explains this method of relative dating?
_________________________________________________________
22.
Several dinosaur bones fossils are discovered buried in
volcanic ash. To identify the type of dinosaur a scientist would….
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
23.
Some scientists think that all life evolved from a common
ancestor. Which provides evidence that this may be true - Analogous
structures or homologous structures?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
26.
The ichthyornis was a type of bird that lived over 65 million
years ago. It lived near the sea and hunted for fish over the water.
Fossils have been found in Kansas, many miles from the present-day
ocean. Which cause of extinction is most likely to be found in the
fossil record along with ichthyornis fossils?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
27.
The index fossil of a type of trilobite is discovered in layer A of
a set of rock layers found at three different sites of a field
investigation. Which conclusion can be made about the rocks in layer
“A” at all three sites?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
Page 8/11
28.
The prairie dog has many adaptions to its ecosystem. What
genetic variation in the prairie dog provided an adaptation to remain
safe from many predators in its ecosystem?
34.
What best describes natural selection?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
29.
The radioactive isotope(parent material) content of a rock can
be used to identify which property of the rock
_________________________________________________________
30.
Throughout fossil records, many species appearing in lower
layers of rock disappear in higher layers of rock. Which best explains
their disappearance?
_________________________________________________________
31.
Turtles have adapted to their habitat to protect themselves
from their predators. What have they developed to adapt in a
predator rich environment?
35.
What can scientists most likely conclude from fossil records
regarding extinction?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
36.
How does genetic variation help living things adapt to a
changing environment?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
37.
What data provides the best evidence that the distribution of
Earth’s oceans has changed over time?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
32.
What advantage do hollow bones and feathers give to birds?
_________________________________________________________
33.
How are fossils compared to one another for biological
classification? To determine which species the fossil maybe a
predecessor to…
_________________________________________________________
Review
38.
What evidence do fossils provide geologists about the changes
in history of the Earth over time?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
39.
What is the best possible explanation for how abrupt changes
in rock layers could happen?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Page 9/11
40.
What is the relative age of an igneous rock intrusion between
domed layers of sedimentary rock?
_________________________________________________________
41.
What type of species has the best chance of surviving through
significant environmental change? Think about VISTA.
_________________________________________________________
42.
What ways would evidence of earthquakes along fault lines be
preserved throughout Earth’s history?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
43.
Which adaptation best allows organisms to adjust to the harsh
winters of the tundra?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
44.
Which adaptation has occurred due to genetic variation
allowing some species to seem invisible to predators?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
45.
How are fossils and soil samples good ways for a scientists to
estimate the age of Earth?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
46.
What best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative
age of a rock layer?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
47.
What is the relationship of a species of lizards that adapt to
survive under new environmental conditions to its ancestors?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
48.
What best describes the criteria necessary for a fossil to be
used as an index fossil?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
49.
What best describes the similar function of wings in birds and
butterflies?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
50.
What would occur in a species that has little or no genetic
variation?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
51.
What best explains how environment and genetic variation
contribute to the difference in a species’ physical appearance?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
52.
What best explains the significance of the trilobite as an index
fossil?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
53.
What best explains why current species living in Australia are
found nowhere else on Earth?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Page 10/11
54.
What explains why the wing of a bat and the fin of a whale are
similar?
_________________________________________________________
62.
What is the main cause of the variation in traits within a
population of organisms? (remember the grey and white mice)
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
55.
What can scientists infer when they find marine fossils on top
of mountains?
_________________________________________________________
63.
What makes a good index fossil?
_________________________________________________________
56.
Name some genetic variations resulting in a protective
adaptation?
_________________________________________________________
64.
What method provides the most accurate age of a rock
sample?
_________________________________________________________
57.
Write a sentience describing why uranium is used for
radioactive dating? Remember to include temperature and pressure
in your statement.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
65.
What provides the best evidence that an environmental
change has occurred with regards to the location of water on our
planet?
_________________________________________________________
58.
What is the most accurate method scientists can use to
estimate Earth’s age?
_________________________________________________________
59.
What is the most likely reason scientists would want to
analyze the air trapped in an ice core?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
60.
What is the base definition of a fossil?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
61.
Write a true statement about the ability of a species to
survive? (Think VISTA – “I”)
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Review
66.
What part of Earth’s history is best shown by analysis of ice
cores?
_________________________________________________________
67.
How are fossils an indicator of the changes in environmental
conditions of the Earth in the past compared to today?
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Which type of rock replaces bone and other hard organic materials to
create rock molds of fossils?
_________________________________________________________
68.
Why is genetic variation within a species important for the
survival of the species?
________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Page 11/11