Chapter 4 Quiz: A Trip Through Geologic Time

1.

1 point

A gap in the geologic record formed when sedimentary rocks cover an eroded surface is called a(n)

unconformity

intrusion

extrusion

fault

2.

1 point

The process by which all different kinds of living things have changed over long periods of time is called

replacement

evolution

deposition

sedimentation

3.

1 point

How do most fossils form?

Freezing preserves the remains of an organism

The hard parts of an organism dry out in the air

The soft parts of an organism change to stone

Living things die and their remains are buried by sediments

4.

1 point

The law of superposition states that, in horizontal layers of sedimentary rock, each layer is

older than the layer above it and younger than the layer below it

younger than the layer above it and older than the layer below it

always older than any vertical layers

neither older nor younger than the other layers

5.

1 point

A fossil formed when minerals replace all or part of an organism is called a

trace fossil

petrified fossil

cast

mold

6.

1 point

The relative age of a rock is

less than the age of the fossils the rock contains

its age compared to the ages of other rocks

the number of years since the rock formed

its age based on how much carbon-14 the rock contains

7.

1 point

The fossil record shows that life on Earth has changed over time. For example, paleontologists have found that older rocks contain fossils of

organisms that are more complex than those alive today

organisms that are simpler than those alive today

both simple and complex organisms

only organisms that are alive today

8.

1 point

What is a fossil?

Any dead organism

An unusual type of rock

A perfect copy of a rock

The preserved remains or traces of an organism

9.

1 point

The geologic time scale is a record of

The thickness of sedimentary rock layers

the rate of fossil formation

the life forms and geologic events in Earth's history

the time since the evolution of dinosaurs

10.

1 point

Why are index fossils useful to geologists?

They tell the ages of many different rock layers.

They tell the relative age of the rock in which they occur.

They tell the age of the rock at one location only

They tell the absolute age of the rock in which they occur.