Clues to Earth’s Past
Practice Test
1.
What do scientists use to help them determine the absolute age of rocks and other objects?
a.
the number of atoms they are made of
b.
the properties of the fossils they are made of
c.
the properties of the atoms they are made of
d.
their weight
Hint
2.
When horizontal layers of sediment are tilted or uplifted, scientists call this __________.
a.
disconformity
b.
angular unconformity
c.
normal unconformity
d.
nonconformity
Hint
3.
What do scientists use to determine the ages of rock within a rock layer?
a.
carbonaceous film
b.
trace fossils
c.
the type of rock it is
d.
index fossils
Hint
4.
When sedimentary rock is deposited on top of igneous or metamorphic rock, scientists call this __________.
a.
disconformity
b.
normal unconformity
c.
nonconformity
d.
angular unconformity
Hint
5.
The relative age of something is __________.
a.
its age in comparison to other things
b.
its age in relation to Earth
c.
its age since it died
d.
its age since it was discovered
Hint
6.
When younger sediments are deposited on top of an older area of erosion, scientists call this __________.
a.
disconformity
b.
angular unconformity
c.
normal unconformity
d.
nonconformity
Hint
7.
Trace fossils are__________.
a.
fossilized tracks or other evidence of an organism
b.
fossils that are traced in rock
c.
silhouettes of the original organism made of thin films of carbon residue
d.
fossils scientists use to determine the age of rock around it
Hint
8.
What do large volumes of plant matter that have become carbonized form?
a.
mountains
b.
coal
c.
tar
d.
dirt
Hint
9.
Why do many organisms leave carbonaceous films as evidence of their lives?
a.
because the bones of most organisms are made of compounds that contain nitrogen
b.
because the tissues of most organisms are made of compounds that contain nitrogen
c.
because the bones of most organisms are made of compounds that contain carbon
d.
because the tissues of most organisms are made of compounds that contain carbon
Hint
10.
How do unconformities form?
a.
when rocks are displaced by growing roots
b.
when animals remove portions of rock by scraping them away
c.
when animals add portions of rock by depositing them in the empty spaces
d.
when erosion removes portions of rock by washing or scraping them away
Hint
