The Mesozoic and Cenozoic Eras
Practice Test
1.
The __________ of an area is its ancient geographic setting.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
morphology
b.
paleoecology
c.
paleogeography
d.
geology
2.
A gravel-sized particle in a conglomerate is __________ the conglomerate rock.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
always ten times older than
b.
the same age as
c.
younger than
d.
older than
3.
Reptiles evolved from amphibians and developed __________.
SC.D.1.4.4
a.
a jaw with fewer teeth
b.
an amniotic egg
c.
better vision
d.
a more-developed hip-bone
4.
What type of deposit is the Pennsylvanian Period known for?
SC.G.2.4.1
a.
shale
b.
copper
c.
conglomerate
d.
coal
5.
What event occurs when sea level falls and the shoreline moves seaward?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
a transgression
b.
an orogenic event
c.
a regression
d.
an active margin
6.
What is a pterosaur?
SC.D.1.4.4
a.
a modern-day turtle that evolved in the Mesozic Era
b.
a swimming reptile that resembles a modern dolphin
c.
a mammal that lived in the Mesozoic grasslands
d.
a flying reptile that had light, hollow bones like modern birds
7.
The second orogeny in western North America was characterized by __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
vertical uplifts
b.
low-angle thrust faults and folds
c.
folding
d.
igneous intrusions
8.
How do scientists distinguish between mammals and reptile fossils?
SC.D.1.4.4
a.
the presence or absence of a wishbone
b.
the ear bone structure only
c.
by the shape of the teeth, number of ear bones, and the number of lower jawbones
d.
by their hip-bones and the shape of their teeth
9.
What event caused the extinction of acritarchs near the end of the Proterozoic?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
formation of ozone
b.
outgassing
c.
global warming
d.
the Varagnian glaciation
10.
Which type of cell shown in the figure existed first?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
B
b.
A
c.
both came into existence at the same time
d.
it is impossible to tell
11.
A __________ occurs when sea level rises and the shoreline moves inland.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
transgression
b.
regression
c.
orogenic event
d.
passive margin
12.
A vertical sequence of limestone-shale-sandstone is evidence of __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
a transgression
b.
an orogenic event
c.
a passive margin
d.
a regression
13.
When was the northern hemisphere ice age?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
the late Pleistocene only
b.
the Holocene only
c.
the Miocene and early Pleistocene
d.
the late Pliocene through the Pleistocene
14.
The last major orogeny in western North America was characterized by __________.
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
low-angle faults and folds
b.
folding
c.
igneous intrusions
d.
vertical uplifts
15.
What characterizes an index fossil?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
all of these are correct
b.
abundant
c.
easily recognized
d.
widely distributed geographically
16.
What type of material is used in the dating technique of dendrochronology?
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
tree leaves
b.
key beds
c.
tree growth rings
d.
sediment layers from lake beds
17.
Petrified wood is an example of __________.
SC.D.1.4.3
a.
a mold
b.
original hard parts
c.
permineralization
d.
an index fossil
18.
"Hominids and hominoids are primates. What characteristic defines the difference between the two?
SC.D.1.4.4
SC.F.2.4.3
a.
Hominoids have greater manual dexterity.
b.
Hominids have smaller brains.
c.
Hominoids have smaller canine teeth.
d.
Hominids are bipedal.
19.
What caused Pangaea to break apart?
SC.D.1.4.2
a.
compressional forces that pushed Pangaea to the north
b.
a heat source beneath the continental crust
c.
an upwelling on the western side of Pangaea
d.
lithospheric compression and thrust faulting
