Fossils & Environments
Rock Layers &
Earth’s History
Earth’s History
Erosion & Landforms
Natural Hazards
& Engineering
& Engineering
DCA
100
Which layer has the oldest fossil? Which layer has the youngest fossil?
Oldest: Layer 4
Youngest: Layer 1
100
What might explain the formation of these rock layers?
A. An earthquake shifted the ground.
B. A volcano added lava layers.
C. Human activity shifted the ground.
D. Wind erosion shifted the ground.
A. An earthquake shifted the ground.
100
Which investigation best shows how rainfall shapes land?
A. Melt an ice cube
B. Pour water on sand
C. Blow sand with a fan
D. Put rock in water overnight
B. Pour water on sand
100
This happens when ocean water rises onto land during a storm.
Storm surge
100
Select the two sentences that describe examples of erosion.
A. Ice melts on a lake.
B. Waves rise and fall on the ocean.
C. Rock forms at the bottom of the ocean.
D. Wind blows sand on a beach to a different area.
C & E
200
Study the image of the five rock layers with fossils.
What is the order of the environments in this location? What is your evidence?
[Choices: river, desert, ocean, cave, volcano, forest, lake]
First, it was an ocean. There are seashell fossils.
Then, it was a forest. There are deer & leaf fossils.
200
Place the sedimentary rock formation steps in correct order:
1. Small parts of rock fall into the water
2. Layers of sediment turn into rock.
3. Sediment forms layers.
4. Wind, ice, and rain break rock into smaller parts.
Wind breaks rock [4] → Small parts fall into water [1] → Sediment forms layers [3] → Layers turn into rock [2]
200
Which is an example of a living organism that causes the earth to be reshaped?
A. a snake slithering through the grass
B. a bird building a nest in a tree branch
C. a prairie dog burrowing into the ground
D. a bear scratching its back against a rock
C. a prairie dog burrowing into the ground
200
Which is an example of an improvement that can cause people to be better protected from natural hazards?
A. stream gauges to warn about flooding
B. alarms for fireplaces
C. a machine for identifying types of rocks
D. weather vanes to tell wind direction
A. stream gauges to warn about flooding
200
Which location most likely has the slowest rate of rock weathering?
Location 1
300
What can you infer about the environment where these fossils were found?
A. The environment was cold and dry for all living things.
B. There were times when the environment was too extreme for any living things to live there.
C. The environment was hot and dry for all living things.
D. The environment was perfect for all living things during one period in time.
B. There were times when the environment was too extreme for any living things to live there.
300
Fill in the blanks:
Finding the large skull convinces the team that dinosaurs lived during this time period.
_____ fossils are less likely to be moved by erosion.
Scientists might think fossils are the wrong age if they are mixed into _____.
Choices:
- larger - smaller
- different organisms - a different layer
(larger, a different layer)
300
Jeremiah’s river is higher and flowing faster due to rain. What should he do?
A. Slow down erosion
B. Increase erosion
C. Maintain erosion
D. Nothing can reduce risk
A. Slow down erosion
300
Which statement best describes the data and patterns you see in the map?
A. There are equal numbers of volcanoes and earthquakes.
B. Anywhere there is an earthquake, a volcano will always be in that same location too.
C. Most of the volcanoes on Earth are located in the center of the oceans.
D. Volcanoes that occur on continents most often occur along the coasts due to plate boundaries.
D. Volcanoes that occur on continents most often occur along the coasts due to plate boundaries.
300
Identify the two locations where major earthquakes would most likely occur in the future.
1 & 4
400
What do fossils usually need to form?
Bonus: Which evidence supports that?
A. Fossils form in dry cold places
B. Water keeps minerals from replacing remains
C. Fossils form in a few hundred years
D. Water helps minerals replace the original remains
Water & Sediment
Bonus:
D. Water helps minerals replace the original remains
400
What was the environment like when the unknown layer formed? Write a scientific argument.
[Hint: Shale can form in floodplains, lakes, or shallow oceans]
The environment was a _____. The data shows the layer is made of _____. I know that _____ forms in _____. The data shows a _____ fossil was found. I know that fossil looks like a _____. This means that the environment was a _____.
The environment was a shallow ocean. The data shows the layer is made of shale. I know that shale forms in shallow oceans. The data shows a Inoceramus fossil was found. I know that fossil looks like a clam. This means that the environment was a shallow ocean.
400
Why were more rock layers exposed in Desert Rocks Canyon than in Keller’s Canyon?
The river in Desert Rocks Canyon flowed faster and for a longer time, causing more erosion.
400
Engineers are designing a sea wall to protect a seaside town. The purpose of the sea wall is to prevent the ocean from causing erosion.
What is the best way to test a sea wall design?
A. Submerge in fresh water
B. Pour water over it
C. Earthquake simulation
D. Place in pool and make waves
D. Place in pool and make waves
400
Rafael lives near a road at the bottom of a hill. His parents are concerned that soil will wash off the hill and rocks will fall onto the road.
Rafael conducts an investigation to find out if grass growing on a hillside will help stop soil erosion.
He collects two samples of the same size and type of soil. One sample of soil has grass growing on it and the other does not. He places each sample of soil in a small tray.
Rafael predicts that the water he pours on the soil without grass will carry away more soil than the water he pours on the soil with grass.
Do you agree with Rafael's prediction? Why?
Answers may vary
500
Which of the following sentences about fossils is true?
A. They are only found in cold climates.
B. They are always formed in short period of time.
C. They only need water to form.
D. They usually need water and sediment to form.
D. They usually need water and sediment to form.
500
Identify the oldest layer of rock on the cliff and use evidence from the drawing to explain your answer.
Layer Z because it is located on the bottom.
500
Tell me the order in which rocks form
1. Rocks are broken into smaller pieces.
2. Small parts of rock fall into water.
3. Sediment forms layers.
4. Layers of sediment turn into rock.
500
A town builds a taller seawall after a storm. What problem are they trying to prevent?
A. Wind from coming.
B. Flooding from the storm surge.
C. Lightning from hitting trees.
B. Flooding from the storm surge.
500
Which is a valid statement, based on the map?
The highest risk of an earthquake happening is...
A. West coast
B. East coast
C. Northeast
D. South
A. West coast