SOL Review Unit 12 – Historical Geology 2001 – 2004 Released Tests

#1 The hypothesis for the cause of the dinosaurs’ extinction that has the most scientific support links their extinction to — A a long drought B the appearance of man C the increase in numbers of mammals D a large object from space hitting the Earth

#2 What is the best evidence that many different geologic periods are represented in Virginia? A The length of its rivers B The location of the Piedmont C The presence of fossils of different ages D The amount of chemical weathering

#3 Volcanic ash has occasionally formed molds of animals. This occurs when the ash covers the animal and — A replaces the animal’s soft tissues B enters the animal’s body cavity C hardens before the animal decays D mineralizes the animal’s bones

#4 Which area is most likely the oldest section of rock? A 1C 3 B 2 D 4

#5 What appears to have occurred at the area labeled B? A Sediment was deposited on sloped ground. B Sediment was deposited on sloped ground that later became level. C Sediment was deposited on level ground that later tilted. D Sediment was deposited on level ground that stayed level.

#6 Not all fossils have been preserved inside soil or rock. Explorers in Siberia have discovered the bodies of ancient mammoths so well-preserved that the flesh could be eaten. What do you think preserved the mammoths in such a perfect state? A Water B Ice C Leaf mold D Carbon dioxide

#7 Which layer in this area is the youngest? A Shale B Sandstone C Limestone D Breccia

#8 The diagram shows the distribution of different fossils. During what geologic time period would they have existed together? A Jurassic C Permian B Triassic D Carboniferous

#9 Which vertebrate did not live during the time of the dinosaurs (the Mesozoic Era)?

#10 According to the graph above, a piece of timber containing one-eighth of the amount of carbon- 14 that is found in a living tree died about how many years ago? A 5,700 years C 17,100 years B 11,400 years D 22,800 years

#11 Of the following, the largest division on the geologic time scale is — A a year B an epoch C an era D a period

#12 Which of these tracks was made last? A D C B

#13 Jellyfish have rarely been fossilized because they — A contain no carbon compounds B are very rare animals C are generally found in oceans D have soft bodies

#14 More of the upper block’s formation is missing mainly due to — A lower layers subjected to less pressure B erosion of the upper layers’ surfaces C less deformation than in the lower block D presence of more igneous rock in the block

#15 Which of these pictures shows the last in the sequence of events?

#16 The map shows some of the bedrock in Virginia. Which of these has the oldest exposed bedrock? A Hightown Valley B Monterey C Jack Mountain D Bull Pasture

#17 Which of these parts of a saber-toothed cat was most likely to become fossilized? A Hair B Skin C Muscles D Jaws

#18 According to the geologic time chart of Virginia, the most recent formation in Virginia is the — A Allegheny Mountains B Chesapeake Bay C James River D Taconic Highlands

SOL Review Unit #12 Answer Key 1. D11. C 2. C12. D 3. C13. D 4. D14. B 5. C 15. B 6. B16. A 7. A17. D 8. B18. B 9. C 10. C