Fossils and the Rock Record
Practice Test
1.
What is the longest division of time in the geologic time scale?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
a period
b.
an eon
c.
an epoch
d.
an era
2.
What is the shallowest part of the continental margin calle
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
the continental shelf
b.
a submarine canyon
c.
the continental rise
d.
the shelf break
3.
How are the convection currents set in motion?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
the heat from radioactive decay
b.
spreading mid-ocean ridges
c.
slab push and ridge pull
d.
slab push
4.
What characterizes an index fossil?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
abundant
b.
easily recognized
c.
all of these are correct
d.
widely distributed geographically
5.
What does a disconformity in a sedimentary rock sequence represent?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
a volcanic eruption
b.
a gap in the rock record
c.
duplicated strata in the rock record
d.
a flood event
6.
The Adirondack Mountains are an example of mountains that formed due to __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
faults
b.
divergence at plate boundaries
c.
convergence at plate boundaries
d.
uplift
7.
The grains of a breccia most likely traveled __________ than the grains in a conglomerate.
a.
a different distance
b.
a farther distance
c.
the same distance
d.
a shorter distance
8.
How are clastic rocks classified?
a.
particle size
b.
metamorphic grade
c.
mineralogy
d.
method of depostion
9.
What determines the chemical behavior of an element?
SC.A.1.4.1
a.
its isotopes
b.
the size of the nucleus
c.
the number of energy levels
d.
the valence electrons
10.
According to the figure, after four half-lives
22,820 years
, how much C-14 would be left?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
10%
b.
25%
c.
6.25%
d.
0%
11.
What type of volcanic peaks are made by the boundary pictured in the figure?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
batholiths
b.
island arc complexes
c.
hot spots
d.
trenches
12.
What particles make up the nucleus of an atom?
a.
protons only
b.
neutrons and electrons
c.
protons and neutrons
d.
electrons only
13.
Which feature shown in the figure is the oldest?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
L
b.
H
c.
P
d.
Q
14.
What isotope is used for finding the age of materials that are organic in origin?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
thorium-232
b.
uranium-238
c.
potassium-40
d.
carbon-14
15.
The Appalachian Mountains are an example of mountains that formed at __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
spreading centers
b.
convergent boundaries
c.
fault-block areas
d.
divergent boundaries
16.
What is thought to be the driving mechanism of plate movement?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
continental drifting
b.
volcanoes
c.
conduction of heat in the mantle
d.
convection currents in the mantle
17.
A _________ is the unaltered remains of a once-living organism.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
trace fossil
b.
mold of a fossil
c.
fossil with original preservation
d.
fossil with permineralization
18.
What era of geologic time ended with the largest extinction event in Earth history?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
the Cenozoic
b.
the Mesozoic
c.
the Cretaceous
d.
the Paleozoic
19.
Which is not a boundary mountain?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
some volcanoes
b.
island arc complexes
c.
uplifted mountains
d.
fault-block mountains
20.
How are fjords formed?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
sea level rise
b.
longshore current
c.
tectonic forces
d.
global cooling
