Quiz - CPalms

Superposition Quiz

1.

The Law of Superposition states that layers of undisturbed rock are organized by their age, with the ___________ layers on top and ______________ layers below. a.

Oldest, younger b.

Youngest, older c.

Darkest, lighter d.

Lightest, denser

2.

Look at the picture to the right. Which layer is oldest? a.

A b.

c.

d.

B

C

D

A

B

C

D

3.

Look at the picture to the right. Place the layers in order from oldest to youngest. a.

D, C, B, A, E b.

c.

d.

A, B, C, D, E

D, C, B, E, A

D, C, E, B, A

A

B

C

D

E

4.

Place the fossil skulls in order from youngest to oldest. a.

W, X, Z, Y b.

Y, Z, X, W c.

X, W Y, Z d.

Z, Y, X, W

5.

If artifact 6 is 600 years old, how closely can we approximate the date of artifact 7? a.

They are similar in age because they are in the same layer b.

Artifact 7 is slightly younger because the layer above is more shallow c.

Artifact 7 is slightly older because it’s buried deeper d.

Artifact 6 is older because the artifact is darker https://www.utexas.edu/courses/denbow/labs/lab1-strat2.htm

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Answer Key:

1.

B

2.

D

3.

C

4.

C

5.

A

Explanation: Older layers are covered up as new layers are created, placing the oldest at the bottom and youngest at the top.

Explanation: The Law of Superposition tells us that the oldest layers will be found on the bottom of a cross-section of Earth.

Explanation: Layer “E” bisects B, C, and D which means they all had to be created before

E bisected them. A covers everything making it the newest.

Explanation: Although the skulls are laying at various depths with respect to each other, students need to focus on the layer in which they are buried.

Explanation: Artifacts 6 and 7 are part of the same layer, so they should be roughly the same age.

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