Biology ยท Geography

Fossils and Geological Eras

1,140 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

What is the name of the period of the Paleozoic Era that is known for its abundant plant life?

  1. Ordovician Period

  2. Silurian Period

  3. Devonian Period

  4. Carboniferous Period
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Carboniferous Period, also known as the Coal Age, lasted from approximately 359 million years ago to 299 million years ago and is known for its abundant plant life.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Miocene

  4. The Pliocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Pleistocene is the period of time between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the current geological epoch?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Miocene

  4. The Pliocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Holocene is the current geological epoch, which began 11,700 years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 5.3 million and 2.6 million years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Miocene

  4. The Pliocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Pliocene is the period of time between 5.3 million and 2.6 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 23 million and 5.3 million years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Miocene

  4. The Pliocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Miocene is the period of time between 23 million and 5.3 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 36 million and 23 million years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Miocene

  4. The Oligocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Oligocene is the period of time between 36 million and 23 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 56 million and 36 million years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Eocene

  4. The Oligocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Eocene is the period of time between 56 million and 36 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 66 million and 56 million years ago?

  1. The Pleistocene

  2. The Holocene

  3. The Paleocene

  4. The Eocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Paleocene is the period of time between 66 million and 56 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 145 million and 66 million years ago?

  1. The Cretaceous

  2. The Jurassic

  3. The Triassic

  4. The Permian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Cretaceous is the period of time between 145 million and 66 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 201 million and 145 million years ago?

  1. The Cretaceous

  2. The Jurassic

  3. The Triassic

  4. The Permian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Jurassic is the period of time between 201 million and 145 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 252 million and 201 million years ago?

  1. The Cretaceous

  2. The Jurassic

  3. The Triassic

  4. The Permian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Triassic is the period of time between 252 million and 201 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 299 million and 252 million years ago?

  1. The Cretaceous

  2. The Jurassic

  3. The Triassic

  4. The Permian
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Permian is the period of time between 299 million and 252 million years ago.

Multiple choice

What is the term for the period of time between 359 million and 299 million years ago?

  1. The Carboniferous

  2. The Devonian

  3. The Silurian

  4. The Ordovician
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Carboniferous is the period of time between 359 million and 299 million years ago.

Multiple choice

Which mass extinction event is also known as the "Great Dying"?

  1. Ordovician-Silurian Extinction

  2. Permian-Triassic Extinction

  3. Triassic-Jurassic Extinction

  4. Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Permian-Triassic Extinction event, which occurred approximately 252 million years ago, is commonly referred to as the "Great Dying" due to its devastating impact on life on Earth.

Multiple choice

What was the approximate percentage of marine species that went extinct during the Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction event?

  1. 20%

  2. 50%

  3. 75%

  4. 95%
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Cretaceous-Paleogene Extinction event, which occurred approximately 66 million years ago, resulted in the extinction of an estimated 75% of marine species.