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 yearsGallium-67 half-life of 78 hoursIodine-129 half-life of 16 million yearsPlutonium-238 half-life of 88 years

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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?

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3. The diagram below shows several sedimentary rock layers containing index fossils. Which layer contains the oldest fossils?

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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. ________________________________________________________________

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?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. This picture shows the supercontinent of Pangaea. Which best describes the pattern of movement indicated by the first split in Pangaea?

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7. 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. A section of a rock layer is shown. Write a statement about the Trilobites in these rock layers.

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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?

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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.

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11. The diagram below shows the Earth’s crustal plates. Tectonic plates are located within which layer of Earth? What makes the plates move?

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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?

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13. The graph shows possible changes to sea level over geologic time. What type of rock formations would scientists most likely study to construct this graph?

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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?

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15. Scientists have identified four sedimentary rock layers from an archaeological dig as shown below. Which is most likely the oldest sedimentary rock layer?

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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?

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17. Which bird would be best adapted to eat the seeds from very hard shells? Explain your answer.

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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?

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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

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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???

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21. The forelimbs of two animals are shown below. Write three statements that could be concluded from this information?

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22. Four species of Galapagos finches are shown below. Explains why the birds evolved with differently shaped beaks?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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)

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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: _________________________________________________________

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?

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7. Based on the law of superposition, what best describes the ages of four undisturbed rock layers relative to one another?

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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?

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9. By which method have scientists determined that the Earth is about 4.5 billion years old?

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10. Evolution can best be described as what rate of change?

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11. Fossil remains can be found in what type of rock?

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12. Geologists are conducting research in Hawaii. Which rock will be most abundant?

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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?

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14. How is genetic variation related to an organism’s ability to adapt to its environment?

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15. If global warming increases, what characteristics would cause an animal to be selected against for survival?

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16. In what type of rock would a geologist most likely find evidence of ancient life?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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22. Several dinosaur bones fossils are discovered buried in volcanic ash. To identify the type of dinosaur a scientist would….

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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29. The radioactive isotope(parent material) content of a rock can be used to identify which property of the rock

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30. Throughout fossil records, many species appearing in lower layers of rock disappear in higher layers of rock. Which best explains their disappearance?

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31. Turtles have adapted to their habitat to protect themselves from their predators. What have they developed to adapt in a predator rich environment?

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32. What advantage do hollow bones and feathers give to birds?

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33. How are fossils compared to one another for biological classification? To determine which species the fossil maybe a predecessor to…

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34. What best describes natural selection?

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35. What can scientists most likely conclude from fossil records regarding extinction?

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36. How does genetic variation help living things adapt to a changing environment?

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37. What data provides the best evidence that the distribution of Earth’s oceans has changed over time?

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38. What evidence do fossils provide geologists about the changes in history of the Earth over time?

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39. What is the best possible explanation for how abrupt changes in rock layers could happen?

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40. What is the relative age of an igneous rock intrusion between domed layers of sedimentary rock?

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41. What type of species has the best chance of surviving through significant environmental change? Think about VISTA.

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42. What ways would evidence of earthquakes along fault lines be preserved throughout Earth’s history?

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43. Which adaptation best allows organisms to adjust to the harsh winters of the tundra?

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45. Which adaptation has occurred due to genetic variation allowing some species to seem invisible to predators?

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46. How are fossils and soil samples good ways for a scientists to estimate the age of Earth?

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47. What best describes a fossil that helps determine the relative age of a rock layer?

_________________________________________________________48. What is the relationship of a species of lizards that adapt to survive under new environmental conditions to its ancestors?

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49. What best describes the criteria necessary for a fossil to be used as an index fossil?

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50. What best describes the similar function of wings in birds and butterflies?

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51. What would occur in a species that has little or no genetic variation? _________________________________________________________

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52. What best explains how environment and genetic variation contribute to the difference in a species’ physical appearance? _________________________________________________________

53. What best explains the significance of the trilobite as an index fossil? _________________________________________________________

54. What best explains why current species living in Australia are found nowhere else on Earth? _________________________________________________________

55. What explains why the wing of a bat and the fin of a whale are similar? _________________________________________________________

56. What can scientists infer when they find marine fossils on top of mountains? _________________________________________________________

57. Name some genetic variations resulting in a protective adaptation?_________________________________________________________

58. Write a sentience describing why uranium is used for radioactive dating? Remember to include temperature and pressure in your statement._________________________________________________________

59. What is the most accurate method scientists can use to estimate Earth’s age?_________________________________________________________ 60. What is the most likely reason scientists would want to analyze the air trapped in an ice core? _________________________________________________________

61. What is the base definition of a fossil? _________________________________________________________

62. Write a true statement about the ability of a species to survive? (Think VISTA – “I”)_________________________________________________________63. What is the main cause of the variation in traits within a population of organisms? (remember the grey and white mice)_________________________________________________________

64. What makes a good index fossil? _________________________________________________________

65. What method provides the most accurate age of a rock sample? _________________________________________________________

66. What provides the best evidence that an environmental change has occurred with regards to the location of water on our planet? _________________________________________________________

67. What part of Earth’s history is best shown by analysis of ice cores? _________________________________________________________

68. How are fossils an indicator of the changes in environmental conditions of the Earth in the past compared to today? _________________________________________________________

68. Which type of rock replaces bone and other hard organic materials to create rock molds of fossils? _________________________________________________________

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