Biology ยท 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

The correct chronological sequence of periods of Pleistocene Ice Age is

  1. Riss-Gunz-Wurm-Mindel

  2. Gunz-Mindel-Riss-Wurm

  3. Mindel-Riss-Gunz-Wurm

  4. Riss-Wurm-Gunz-Mindal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Pleistocene Ice Age had four major glacial periods in chronological order: Gunz (oldest), Mindel, Riss, and Wurm (youngest). This sequence represents advancing and retreating ice sheets over approximately 2.6 million years. The Gunz-Mindel-Riss-Wurm ordering is well-established in European Alpine stratigraphy.

Multiple choice

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

  1. Palaeocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Eocene-Pliocene

  2. Palaeocene-Pliocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Eocene

  3. Oligocene-Palaeocene-Miocene-Eocene-Pliocene

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

The correct answer is the Palaeocene-Eocene-Oligocene-Miocene-Pliocene sequence. This is the correct chronological order of the Tertiary period epochs from oldest to youngest. The Tertiary began with the Palaeocene (~66 million years ago), followed by Eocene, then Oligocene, then Miocene, and finally Pliocene (~2.6 million years ago). The other options scramble this order.

Multiple choice

The most recent geological epoch of the Quaternary Period covering the 10 years or so from the end of the Pleistocene epoch to the present day is known as

  1. Pliocene

  2. Miocene

  3. Oligocene

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

The Holocene is the current geological epoch that began approximately 11,700 years ago at the end of the last glacial period (Pleistocene). The Pliocene, Miocene, and Oligocene are older epochs from the Tertiary Period, not part of the Quaternary.

Multiple choice

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer: List I List II (Geological period) (Event associated with the period) A. Carboniferous 1. Start of Himalayan Orogeny B. Pre-cambrian 2. Birds made there appearance C. Pleistocene 3. Formation of rocks containing coal, petroleum and natural gas D. Upper Cretaceous 4. Large areas subject to glaciation 5. Rock formation having rich metallic materials

  1. A 5 B 3 C 2 D 4

  2. A 3 B 5 C 4 D 1

  3. A 5 B 3 C 4 D 1

  4. A 3 B 5 C 2 D 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Multiple choice

Why are pollen grains well fossilised?

  1. Because of presence of pollen kit

  2. Because of presence of sporopollenin

  3. Because of presence of exine layer

  4. Because of the presence of intine
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sporopollenin is resistant to chemical and biological decomposition and cutinizes exine. Pollen grains are well preserved as fossils because of the presence of sporopollenin.

Multiple choice

Match List I (Ocean Deposit of organic Remain) with List II (Origin of organic Remain) and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I List II

A. Neritic remains 1. Shells of planktonic molluses

B. Pelagic remains 2. Microscopic plant shells

C. Pteropod ooze 3. Dead skeletons of marine animals and plants

D. Diatom ooze 4. A type of algae

5. Shells of various foraminifera

  1. (A) 1 (B) 4 (C) 5 (D) 2

  2. (A) 3 (B) 2 (C) 1 (D) 4

  3. (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 5 (D) 4

  4. (A) 3 (B) 4 (C) 1 (D) 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Neritic remains (A) are from dead skeletons of marine animals and plants (3). Pelagic remains (B) are shells of various foraminifera (4). Pteropod ooze (C) contains shells of planktonic molluscs (1). Diatom ooze (D) is composed of microscopic plant shells/diatoms (2), which are a type of algae (4).

Multiple choice

Dinosaurs were _____.

  1. mammals that became extinct

  2. large herbivorous creatures which gave rise to hippopotamus species

  3. egg - laying mammals

  4. reptiles that became extinct
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Dinosaurs were a diverse group of reptiles that dominated Earth for over 160 million years before becoming extinct approximately 65 million years ago.

Multiple choice

A Paleontologist is connected with

  1. Birds

  2. Fossils

  3. Old Tombs

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

A paleontologist studies fossils to understand the history of life on Earth. Fossils provide evidence about ancient organisms, evolution, and past environments. Paleontologists analyze fossilized remains of plants, animals, and other organisms to reconstruct biological history.

Multiple choice

A plant which has remained unchanged for the past several million years is

  1. pinus

  2. magnolia

  3. selaginella

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

Selaginella is a living fossil that has remained essentially unchanged for millions of years. Pinus and magnolia are more recent plants, and sunflower is an advanced flowering plant. Selaginella represents an ancient lineage that has survived with minimal change.

Multiple choice

The theory, which states that living organisms on earth came from outer space, is based on the study of:

  1. meteors

  2. sedimentary rocks

  3. meteorites

  4. moon's soil
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The theory of panspermia suggests that life on Earth originated from outer space. This theory is supported by studies of meteorites, particularly carbonaceous chondrites, which contain organic compounds and amino acids - the building blocks of life. Option C correctly identifies meteorites as the key evidence.

Multiple choice

The age of rocks is calculated on the basis of

  1. type of fossils present

  2. number of strata present

  3. amount of uranium present

  4. amount of lead present
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The age of rocks is primarily determined by the type of fossils present in them through the principle of faunal succession. Different fossil species existed in different time periods, so finding specific fossils helps date the rock layer. This method, called relative dating, was crucial before radiometric dating was developed. Option A correctly states this.

Multiple choice

Which of the following animals dominated in the paleozoic era?

  1. Reptiles

  2. Fishes

  3. Birds

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

The Paleozoic Era (541-252 million years ago) was known as the 'Age of Fishes' because fishes first appeared and diversified extensively during this period. While amphibians, reptiles, and early life forms also existed, fishes were the dominant vertebrate group throughout much of the Paleozoic. Option B correctly identifies fishes.