Identifying Fossils - 3rd Grade Science
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What is the difference between a body fossil and a trace fossil?
What is the difference between a body fossil and a trace fossil?
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Body: part of organism; Trace: evidence of activity. Body fossils are actual parts; trace fossils show behavior.
Body: part of organism; Trace: evidence of activity. Body fossils are actual parts; trace fossils show behavior.
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Which fossil evidence best supports that an organism lived in a swamp: fern leaves or coral?
Which fossil evidence best supports that an organism lived in a swamp: fern leaves or coral?
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Fern leaves. Ferns thrive in wet, swampy environments.
Fern leaves. Ferns thrive in wet, swampy environments.
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What is the main idea of using fossils to compare rock layers in different places?
What is the main idea of using fossils to compare rock layers in different places?
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Similar fossils suggest layers formed around the same time. Matching fossils help date rock layers across locations.
Similar fossils suggest layers formed around the same time. Matching fossils help date rock layers across locations.
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Identify the older fossil if Fossil A is in layer 5 and Fossil B is in layer 2 (5 is deeper).
Identify the older fossil if Fossil A is in layer 5 and Fossil B is in layer 2 (5 is deeper).
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Fossil A. Layer 5 is deeper than layer 2, so it's older.
Fossil A. Layer 5 is deeper than layer 2, so it's older.
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What does it mean if a fossil is found in a deeper rock layer than another fossil?
What does it mean if a fossil is found in a deeper rock layer than another fossil?
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It is older than the fossil in the higher layer. Deeper layers formed first, so fossils there are older.
It is older than the fossil in the higher layer. Deeper layers formed first, so fossils there are older.
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Which inference is best supported by many tracks close together: alone or in a group?
Which inference is best supported by many tracks close together: alone or in a group?
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In a group. Multiple tracks together indicate herd behavior.
In a group. Multiple tracks together indicate herd behavior.
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What can a set of fossilized tracks (trackway) help you infer about an animal?
What can a set of fossilized tracks (trackway) help you infer about an animal?
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How it moved (walking, running) and its size. Track spacing and depth reveal movement patterns.
How it moved (walking, running) and its size. Track spacing and depth reveal movement patterns.
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What does a leaf fossil suggest about the past environment of the rock layer?
What does a leaf fossil suggest about the past environment of the rock layer?
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Plants grew there, likely on land. Leaves come from plants that need soil to grow.
Plants grew there, likely on land. Leaves come from plants that need soil to grow.
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What does a fish fossil suggest about the past environment of the rock layer?
What does a fish fossil suggest about the past environment of the rock layer?
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The area was once underwater. Fish only live in water environments.
The area was once underwater. Fish only live in water environments.
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What does a fossil with wide, flat grinding teeth most likely indicate about diet?
What does a fossil with wide, flat grinding teeth most likely indicate about diet?
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It was a herbivore (plant eater). Flat teeth grind tough plant material.
It was a herbivore (plant eater). Flat teeth grind tough plant material.
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What does a fossil with sharp teeth and eye sockets most likely indicate about diet?
What does a fossil with sharp teeth and eye sockets most likely indicate about diet?
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It was a carnivore (meat eater). Sharp teeth are for tearing meat, not plants.
It was a carnivore (meat eater). Sharp teeth are for tearing meat, not plants.
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Which rock type most commonly contains fossils: igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary?
Which rock type most commonly contains fossils: igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary?
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Sedimentary. Fossils form best in layered sedimentary rocks.
Sedimentary. Fossils form best in layered sedimentary rocks.
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What does it usually mean if a fossil is found in sedimentary rock?
What does it usually mean if a fossil is found in sedimentary rock?
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The organism was buried by layers of sediment. Sediment layers preserve organisms over time.
The organism was buried by layers of sediment. Sediment layers preserve organisms over time.
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What is petrification (permineralization) in fossil formation?
What is petrification (permineralization) in fossil formation?
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Minerals replace or fill parts of an organism. The organism turns to stone as minerals replace tissue.
Minerals replace or fill parts of an organism. The organism turns to stone as minerals replace tissue.
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Which option best identifies a cast: hollow imprint or solid copy of a shell?
Which option best identifies a cast: hollow imprint or solid copy of a shell?
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Solid copy of a shell. Casts are filled molds, creating solid replicas.
Solid copy of a shell. Casts are filled molds, creating solid replicas.
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