Biology · 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

During which geological period did the earth become oxygen rich?

  1. Orosirian period

  2. Ediacaran period

  3. Devonian period

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

The Great Oxygenation Event occurred during the Paleoproterozoic era, specifically the Orosirian period (approximately 2.4-2.0 billion years ago). Cyanobacteria began producing oxygen through photosynthesis, dramatically changing Earth's atmosphere. The Ediacaran period saw the first complex multicellular life. The Devonian is known as the Age of Fish. The Ordovician saw early marine diversification but occurred after oxygen levels were already established.

Multiple choice

Match the following:

 
Types of fossils Discription
a. Trilobites 1. They were the invertebrate animals that lived in sea about 180 million years ago.
b. Dinosaurs 2. They were carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles that were common between 65 to 250 million years ago.
c. Ammonites 3. They were marine arthropods that were common between 400 to 600 million years ago.

  1. a - 3, b - 1, c - 2

  2. a - 2, b - 1, c - 3

  3. a - 1, b - 2, c - 3

  4. a - 3, b - 2, c - 1

  5. a - 2, b - 3, c - 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct option. Trilobites were marine arthropods that were common between 400 to 600 million years ago. Dinosaurs were carnivorous or herbivorous reptiles that were common between 65 to 250 million years ago. Ammonites were the invertebrate animals that lived in sea about 180 million years ago.

Multiple choice

Coal is formed over millions of years by

  1. degradation of plant and animal waste products

  2. weathering of rocks

  3. action of heat on rocks

  4. decomposition of plants
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Coal is a decomposition product of plants buried millions of years ago due to some natural phenomenon.

Multiple choice

Directions: Select the option that fills in the blanks most suitably (in the same order).

To ________ a fossil creature from a few bone fragments seems like an impossible task.

  1. array

  2. contrive

  3. reconstruct

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

The clue for this sentence lies in 'bone fragments' and 'fossil creature'. This implies that a fossil creature is constructed from few bone fragments and this is an impossible job. As 'array' in (1) means to place in order and 'contrive' in (2) means to invent, these options are improbable, hence (1) and (2) are ruled out.  Out of (3) and (4), 'reconstruct' in (3) fits our prediction as fossil creature is to be constructed again from bone fragments, whereas 'create' is used for new inventions. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts:

  1. Since life began on Earth, only one major mass extinction event has taken place.
  2. Dinosaurs disappeared from the face of the earth around 65 million years ago. Which of the above is/are true?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Since life began on Earth, five major mass extinctions and several minor events have led to large and sudden drop in biodiversity. The most recent, the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, occurred 65 million years ago and it resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Multiple choice

Foraminifera organisms are used in

  1. paleoclimatology

  2. petroleum exploration

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. food industry
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Foraminifera organisms are used in paleoclimatology and petroleum exploration.