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

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.

Multiple choice

Which of the following are the conditions under which fossil fuels are formed from the remains of organisms?

(a) Absence of oxygen

(b) Absence of water

(c) High temperature

(d) High pressure

  1. Only (a), (b) and (c)

  2. Only (b), (c) and (d)

  3. Only (a) and (b)

  4. Only (c) and (d)

  5. Only (a), (c) and (d)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Yes, it is correct. When the dead remains of plants and animals are deprived of oxygen and the temperature and pressure is high for a long period of time, fossil fuels are formed.

Multiple choice

From the above passage, we can infer that, the pterosaur ______________.

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
The existence of mammals on the earth can be traced back to at least the Triassic time. The rate of development was retarded, till evolutional change suddenly accelerated in the oldest Paleocene. This resulted in an increase in average size, larger mental capacity, and special adaptations for different modes of life, during the Eocene time. Further improvement was seen during the Oligocene Epoch, with the appearance of some new lines and extinction of others. The Miocene and Pliocene times are especially significant as they mark the culmination of various groups and a continued approach toward modern characters. It is in the Miocene time that the mammals reached their peak with reference to variety and size.
The ability of the mammals to adapt to various modes of life finds a parallel in the reptiles of the Mesozoic time, and apart form their greater intelligence, the mammals apparently have not done much better than the corresponding reptilian forms. Undoubtedly the bat is a better flying animal than the pterosaur, but at the same time the dolphin and whale are hardly more fish like than the ichthyosaur. Quite a few of the swift-running mammals inhabiting the plains, like the horse and the antelope, must excel any of the dinosaurs. Although the tyrannosaur was a more weighty and robust carnivore than perhaps any carnivorous mammal, the lion and the tiger, by virtue of their superior brain are far more efficient and dangerous beasts of prey. It is significant to note that various species of mammals gradually adapted themselves to various kinds of lifestyles, some took to grazing on the plains and were able to run swiftly (horse, deer, bison), others started living in rivers and swamps (hippopotamus, beaver), inhabiting trees (sloth, monkey), burrowing underground (rodent, mole), feeding on flesh (tiger, wolf), swimming in the water (dolphin, whale, seal), and flying in the air (bat). Human beings on account of their superior brain have been able to harness mechanical methods to conquer the physical world and adapt to any set of conditions.
Such adaptation to different conditions leads to a gradual change in form and structure. This is a biological characteristic of the youthful, plastic stage of a group. It is seen that early in its evolutional cycle animals possess the capacity for change, but as the animal progresses in its cycle becoming old and fixed, this capacity for change disappears. The generalized types of organisms retain increases the ability to make adjustments when required and it is from them that new, fecund stocks take origin-certainly not from any specialized end products. With reference to mammals, we see their birth, plastic spread in many directions, increased specialization, and in some cases, extinction; this is a characteristic of the evolution of life, which can be seen in the geologic record of life.

  1. resembled the bat

  2. was a Mesozoic mammal

  3. was a flying reptile

  4. inhabited the seas

  5. evolved during the Miocene period
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'  Undoubtedly the bat is a better flying animal than the pterosaur,...'

Multiple choice

From the following, choose the most appropriate title for the above passage?

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
The existence of mammals on the earth can be traced back to at least the Triassic time. The rate of development was retarded, till evolutional change suddenly accelerated in the oldest Paleocene. This resulted in an increase in average size, larger mental capacity, and special adaptations for different modes of life, during the Eocene time. Further improvement was seen during the Oligocene Epoch, with the appearance of some new lines and extinction of others. The Miocene and Pliocene times are especially significant as they mark the culmination of various groups and a continued approach toward modern characters. It is in the Miocene time that the mammals reached their peak with reference to variety and size.
The ability of the mammals to adapt to various modes of life finds a parallel in the reptiles of the Mesozoic time, and apart form their greater intelligence, the mammals apparently have not done much better than the corresponding reptilian forms. Undoubtedly the bat is a better flying animal than the pterosaur, but at the same time the dolphin and whale are hardly more fish like than the ichthyosaur. Quite a few of the swift-running mammals inhabiting the plains, like the horse and the antelope, must excel any of the dinosaurs. Although the tyrannosaur was a more weighty and robust carnivore than perhaps any carnivorous mammal, the lion and the tiger, by virtue of their superior brain are far more efficient and dangerous beasts of prey. It is significant to note that various species of mammals gradually adapted themselves to various kinds of lifestyles, some took to grazing on the plains and were able to run swiftly (horse, deer, bison), others started living in rivers and swamps (hippopotamus, beaver), inhabiting trees (sloth, monkey), burrowing underground (rodent, mole), feeding on flesh (tiger, wolf), swimming in the water (dolphin, whale, seal), and flying in the air (bat). Human beings on account of their superior brain have been able to harness mechanical methods to conquer the physical world and adapt to any set of conditions.
Such adaptation to different conditions leads to a gradual change in form and structure. This is a biological characteristic of the youthful, plastic stage of a group. It is seen that early in its evolutional cycle animals possess the capacity for change, but as the animal progresses in its cycle becoming old and fixed, this capacity for change disappears. The generalized types of organisms retain increases the ability to make adjustments when required and it is from them that new, fecund stocks take origin-certainly not from any specialized end products. With reference to mammals, we see their birth, plastic spread in many directions, increased specialization, and in some cases, extinction; this is a characteristic of the evolution of life, which can be seen in the geologic record of life.

  1. From Dinosaur to Man

  2. Adaptation and Extinction

  3. The Superior Mammals

  4. The Geologic Life Span

  5. Man, the Vanquisher of the Physical World.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 The passage starts with the introduction of mammals on land and its sucessive evolution to man.

Multiple choice

According to the passage the chronological order of the geologic periods is _____________________________________.

Directions: Answer the question based on the following passage.
The existence of mammals on the earth can be traced back to at least the Triassic time. The rate of development was retarded, till evolutional change suddenly accelerated in the oldest Paleocene. This resulted in an increase in average size, larger mental capacity, and special adaptations for different modes of life, during the Eocene time. Further improvement was seen during the Oligocene Epoch, with the appearance of some new lines and extinction of others. The Miocene and Pliocene times are especially significant as they mark the culmination of various groups and a continued approach toward modern characters. It is in the Miocene time that the mammals reached their peak with reference to variety and size.
The ability of the mammals to adapt to various modes of life finds a parallel in the reptiles of the Mesozoic time, and apart form their greater intelligence, the mammals apparently have not done much better than the corresponding reptilian forms. Undoubtedly the bat is a better flying animal than the pterosaur, but at the same time the dolphin and whale are hardly more fish like than the ichthyosaur. Quite a few of the swift-running mammals inhabiting the plains, like the horse and the antelope, must excel any of the dinosaurs. Although the tyrannosaur was a more weighty and robust carnivore than perhaps any carnivorous mammal, the lion and the tiger, by virtue of their superior brain are far more efficient and dangerous beasts of prey. It is significant to note that various species of mammals gradually adapted themselves to various kinds of lifestyles, some took to grazing on the plains and were able to run swiftly (horse, deer, bison), others started living in rivers and swamps (hippopotamus, beaver), inhabiting trees (sloth, monkey), burrowing underground (rodent, mole), feeding on flesh (tiger, wolf), swimming in the water (dolphin, whale, seal), and flying in the air (bat). Human beings on account of their superior brain have been able to harness mechanical methods to conquer the physical world and adapt to any set of conditions.
Such adaptation to different conditions leads to a gradual change in form and structure. This is a biological characteristic of the youthful, plastic stage of a group. It is seen that early in its evolutional cycle animals possess the capacity for change, but as the animal progresses in its cycle becoming old and fixed, this capacity for change disappears. The generalized types of organisms retain increases the ability to make adjustments when required and it is from them that new, fecund stocks take origin-certainly not from any specialized end products. With reference to mammals, we see their birth, plastic spread in many directions, increased specialization, and in some cases, extinction; this is a characteristic of the evolution of life, which can be seen in the geologic record of life.

  1. Paleocene, Miocene, Triassic, Mesozoic

  2. Paleocene, Triassic, Mesozoic, Miocene

  3. Miocene, Paleocene, Triassic, Mesozoic

  4. Mesozoic, Oligocene, Paleocene, Miocene

  5. Mesozoic, Paleocene, Eocene, Miocene
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Mesozoic, Paleocene, Eocene, Miocene

Multiple choice

Match list I (Geological period) with list II (Distinctive life/ Incidence) and select the correct answer using the code given below lists: List I List II A. Late-precambrian 1. Himalya Orogeny B. Carboniferous 2. Sponges C. Devonian 3. Man D. Upper cretaceous 4. Coal 5. Fish

  1. A 5 B 4 C 3 D 1

  2. A 2 B 1 C 5 D 4

  3. A 5 B 1 C 3 D 4

  4. A 2 B 4 C 5 D 1
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct matching is: Late-Precambrian (A) with Sponges (2) - early multicellular life; Carboniferous (B) with Coal (4) - extensive coal forests; Devonian (C) with Fish (5) - 'Age of Fishes'; Upper Cretaceous (D) with Himalayan Orogeny (1) - the collision began around this time. Option D matches this pairing: A-2, B-4, C-5, D-1.

Multiple choice

The Appalachian Mountains were formed in which of the following periods?

  1. Cretaceous

  2. Mesozioc

  3. Palaeozoic

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

The Appalachian Mountains were formed during the Paleozoic Era, primarily through the Alleghenian orogeny around 325-260 million years ago when continental collisions built major mountain ranges. The Cretaceous, Mesozoic, and Tertiary are much younger periods that occurred after the Appalachians had already formed and begun eroding.