Plates Shape Continents Practice Test

A map shows South America and Africa separated by the Atlantic Ocean. The map also shows a mid-ocean ridge and seafloor ages that are youngest near the ridge and older toward the continents. A student says: “The continents have always been in the same place; the ocean just filled in later.” Which claim is incorrect based on the map evidence?

Two student maps show South America and Africa.

Map A: The continents are drawn with simplified outlines that fit reasonably well, but not perfectly. A mid-ocean ridge is drawn between them, and seafloor ages are shown as symmetrical bands that are youngest at the ridge and older toward both continents.

Map B: The continents are drawn with perfectly matching coastlines, but there is no ridge or seafloor-age information shown.

Which map better supports the idea that plates move and that present-day continent shapes reflect past motion? Choose one supported interpretation.