Biology · Geography

Fossils and Geological Eras

1,078 Questions

Fossils and geological eras provide a window into the history of the Earth. This topic covers prehistoric life, mass extinctions, and the geological time scale. It is an important part of the general science syllabus for many aptitude tests.

Geological time scaleTypes of fossilsPrehistoric lifeAncient climates

Fossils and Geological Eras Questions

Multiple choice

Calcified bones marked with scratches other than tooth marks were discovered in Harrapa excavations, near some stone tools. This was used as evidence that the residents used stone tools because when bones were scratched using similar tools, the resulting scratches resembled the scratches found on the fossils. Therefore, stone tools had probably been used on the animal bones that became calcified.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the argument?

  1. The calcified bones with scratches are not as old as nearby found calcified bones found to have tooth marks.

  2. Periodic earth movements can produce scratches on buried bones that are similar to those on the fossils.

  3. Stone tools have been found in areas where nearby calcified bones were not scratched.

  4. The stone tools were too hard to be scratched by animal bones.

  5. Some carnivores used their paws, not their teeth to tear the flesh away.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

From the fact that bones scratched with similar tools produced scratches similar to those found on fossils, the author argues that stone tools had been used on bones that become fossilized. To weaken it, we would choose an answer choice that would attack the only evidence given in support of the conclusion. We have been asked to locate that choice which seriously weakens this argument. Choice (2) says that periodic earth movements can produce similar scratches as found on the fossils i.e. the scratches necessarily were not made by the stone tools. Therefore it is the answer.

Multiple choice

The golden age of reptiles was

  1. Mesozoic Era

  2. Cenozoic Era

  3. Silurian Period

  4. Palaeozoic Era
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Mesozoic Era is known as the 'Age of Reptiles' because dinosaurs were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates during this time.

Multiple choice

Which of the following in regarded as living fossil?

  1. Limulus

  2. Sycon

  3. Crater

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Limulus, commonly known as the horseshoe crab, is a classic example of a living fossil because it has remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

Multiple choice

Carbon-14 (half-life of 5760 years) is used to determine the age of fossils. A sample contains 200 mg of C-14. How long will it take to reduce C-14 in the sample to 25 mg?

  1. 5760 years

  2. 11520 years

  3. 17280 years

  4. 23040 years

  5. 28800 years
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

For 17280 years, the number of half-life (n) = 3 Cn = (1/2)n= (1/2)3 = 1/8 1/8 of 200 mg = 25 mg So, after 17280 years, the amount of C-14 in the sample will be reduced to 25 mg.

Multiple choice

Radiocarbon dating is used to estimate the age of

  1. babies

  2. fossils

  3. rocks

  4. ancient buildings
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Radiocarbon dating measures the decay of Carbon-14 in organic materials to determine the age of fossils and archaeological artifacts.

Multiple choice

Tertiary period had five epochs. Select the correct order in which these epochs appeared in the geological time scale from ancient to more recent times.

  1. Palaeocene-Pliocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Eocene

  2. Palaeocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Eocene-Pliocene

  3. Palaeocene-Eocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Pliocene

  4. Oligocene-Palaeocene-Miocene-Eocene-Pliocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The correct chronological order of the five epochs of the Tertiary period (now Paleogene and Neogene) is Palaeocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, and Pliocene.

Multiple choice

Living fossil is

  1. Ginkgo biloba

  2. Gnetum vulva

  3. Pinus roxhurghii

  4. Cycas revolute
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Ginkgo biloba is a gymnospermic plant. It is also known as living fossil because it has a great fossil history.