December 1, 2023 Interim Assessment on 8.L.4.1, 8.E.2.1, & 8.E.2.2

December 1, 2023 Interim Assessment on 8.L.4.1, 8.E.2.1, & 8.E.2.2 8.L.4.1 1. Which would indicate that a series of fossils represent the evolution of the horse? a. All of the fossils were found in the same layers of rocks as horse fossils. b. All of the fossils are completely identical to horse bones. c. All of the fossils show similar structures to that of the modern horse. d. All of the fossils were located in the same place on Earth as horses. 2. What process is most responsible for the extinction of most species of plants and animals that have lived on Earth? a. gene mutation b. environmental changes c. selective breeding d. decrease in reproduction 3. Scientists think that dolphins and whales may have evolved from a common ancestor. What evidence supports this hypothesis? a. They swim the same way. b. They eat the same food. c. They live in the same area of the ocean. d. They have similar anatomies. 4. What do transitional fossils best support? a. the Theory of Biological Evolution b. the Law of Superposition c. the Theory of Geological Evolution d. the Theory of Continental Drif 5.

6. Which best explains why fossils of the same species of a reptile were discovered in South America and in western Africa? a. The reptiles evolved in both South America and Africa. b. The continents of South America and Africa were once joined. c. Land bridges connected the continents of South America and Africa. d. The reptiles could swim the distance between South America and Africa. 7. Which of these would most likely happen to a species that is not able to adapt to a changing environment? a. The species would become extinct over time. b. The species would develop mutated cells. c. The species would develop resistance to disease. d. The species would change the environment. 8.E.2.1 8. Which is the most accurate method scientists use to predict the age of Earth? a. relative dating of rock layers b. radioactive dating of rocks c. comparing the ages of different fossils d. investigating core samples from the Arctic 9. A geologist identifies the identical index fossils in rock layers from two different areas. Which conclusion is best supported by this discovery? a. The deposition rate of the two rock layers was identical. b. The fossil organism evolved independently in the two separate areas. c. The two rock layers were deposited at approximately the same time. d. The index fossil will also occur in sediment deposited on top of these rock layers 10. Which would most likely be considered the oldest? a. a fossil found as an impression in a tree b. a fossil found as an impression in concrete c. a fossil found buried deep within layers of rock d. a fossil found shallowly buried within layers of rock 11. Two samples of the same index fossil are found in rock layers across the ocean floor from each other. Which could scientists infer about the rock layers containing the fossils? a. The rock layers are about the same relative age. b. Both rock layers formed because of volcanic activity. c. The rock layers experienced the same kinds of erosion. d. The same climate existed where both rock layers formed.