Question 1

What is the role of density in the changes to the earth's atmosphere over time?

Accepted Answer

Density plays several roles in the evolu

Question 2

The beginning of the Phanerozoic is marked by the ________.

Accepted Answer

A) evolution of land plants and animals 
B) development of hard body parts,such as shells and bones 
C) abundant life forms compared to earlier times 
D) formation of large land masses 
E) existence of a modern atmosphere 
A) evolution of land plants and animals 
B) development of hard body parts,such as shells and bones 
C) abundant life forms compared to earlier times 
D) formation of large land masses 
E) existence of a modern atmosphere

Question 3

In the early history of the earth,the solid surface of the earth weathered more rapidly than now because ________.

Accepted Answer

A) the early rain was very acidic 
B) the rocks at the surface were weak because there was little oxygen available 
C) the atmosphere contained large amounts of corrosive methane 
D) there was little topography so shallow water washed across the surface often 
E) there were numerous earthquakes and volcanoes breaking up the surface 
A) the early rain was very acidic 
B) the rocks at the surface were weak because there was little oxygen available 
C) the atmosphere contained large amounts of corrosive methane 
D) there was little topography so shallow water washed across the surface often 
E) there were numerous earthquakes and volcanoes breaking up the surface

Question 4

Which type of bacteria thrive in environments that lack free oxygen?

Accepted Answer

A) aerobic 
B) placental 
C) anaerobic 
D) foraminifera 
E) photosynthetic 
A) aerobic 
B) placental 
C) anaerobic 
D) foraminifera 
E) photosynthetic

Question 5

Why is it important that we have a rigid lithosphere overlying a weak asthenosphere?

Accepted Answer

A) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,the earth would not have plate tectonics and would be covered entirely by water. 
B) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,the atmosphere would be very different with either too much ammonia and methane or too little oxygen and water. 
C) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,we would be bombarded by cosmic rays that would strip away our atmosphere. 
D) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,we would be bombarded by meteorites and we would not be able to hold the moon in orbit. 
A) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,the earth would not have plate tectonics and would be covered entirely by water. 
B) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,the atmosphere would be very different with either too much ammonia and methane or too little oxygen and water. 
C) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,we would be bombarded by cosmic rays that would strip away our atmosphere. 
D) If we did not have the rigid lithosphere and weak asthenosphere,we would be bombarded by meteorites and we would not be able to hold the moon in orbit.

Question 6

Earth's original atmosphere,several billion years ago,was similar to the present atmosphere.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The earth formed approximately ________ years ago.

Accepted Answer

A) 5,000 
B) 11,000,000 
C) 4,600,000,000 
D) 13,700,000,000 
E) 33,200,000,000,000 
A) 5,000 
B) 11,000,000 
C) 4,600,000,000 
D) 13,700,000,000 
E) 33,200,000,000,000

Question 8

Early Earth was hot because ________.

Accepted Answer

A) there was still heat from the original big bang 
B) gravitational collapse generates heat 
C) a combination of collisions and radioactive decay produced heat 
D) the Sun was much larger and heated the early planet 
E) the moon's formation from an giant impact produced heat 
A) there was still heat from the original big bang 
B) gravitational collapse generates heat 
C) a combination of collisions and radioactive decay produced heat 
D) the Sun was much larger and heated the early planet 
E) the moon's formation from an giant impact produced heat

Question 9

The first fully land-based animals were ________.

Accepted Answer

A) reptiles 
B) amphibians 
C) eukaryotes 
D) stromatolites 
E) cephalopods 
A) reptiles 
B) amphibians 
C) eukaryotes 
D) stromatolites 
E) cephalopods

Question 10

Why is it so difficult to interpret the geology of the Precambrian? How are these difficulties or limitations different in the younger eras of the Phanerozoic Eon? Finally,are there unique rocks or events in the Precambrian that are not present in younger rocks?

Accepted Answer

The Precambrian is the earliest time per

Question 11

Most Mesozoic rocks are devoid of fossils; consequently this is the least understood span of Earth's history.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The Great Oxygen Event marks the time,approximately 2.5 billion years ago,when ________.

Accepted Answer

A) there was enough oxygen in the atmosphere to support a major burst of life on Earth 
B) there was a massive volcanic eruption that lead to a very rapid increase in oxygen levels on Earth 
C) there was a cataclysmic weather event that absorbed most of the oxygen in the atmosphere and locked it into iron deposits in the oceans 
D) there was significant oxygen in the atmosphere 
E) photosynthesis was clearly established and producing oxygen. 
A) there was enough oxygen in the atmosphere to support a major burst of life on Earth 
B) there was a massive volcanic eruption that lead to a very rapid increase in oxygen levels on Earth 
C) there was a cataclysmic weather event that absorbed most of the oxygen in the atmosphere and locked it into iron deposits in the oceans 
D) there was significant oxygen in the atmosphere 
E) photosynthesis was clearly established and producing oxygen.

Question 13

Probably the single most characteristic feature of the Precambrian is its great abundance of fossil evidence.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

The large size of insects and amphibians during the Pennsylvanian period has been suggested to be due to ________.

Accepted Answer

A) a lack of predators for early land forms 
B) an excess of sunlight and water during that time 
C) an excess of oxygen during that time 
D) a decrease in methane in the atmosphere during that time 
E) the emergence of a super continent that allowed greater areas for animals to evolve 
A) a lack of predators for early land forms 
B) an excess of sunlight and water during that time 
C) an excess of oxygen during that time 
D) a decrease in methane in the atmosphere during that time 
E) the emergence of a super continent that allowed greater areas for animals to evolve

Question 15

During the process of ________,plants release the gas ________.

Accepted Answer

photosynth

Question 16

Mammals replaced reptiles as the dominant land animals in the Cenozoic era.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

The beginning of the Precambrian era is marked by the appearance of the first life forms with hard parts.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

The process in which plants use light energy to synthesize food sugars from carbon dioxide is called ________.

Accepted Answer

A) photosynthesis 
B) hydration 
C) oxidation 
D) fusion 
E) none of these 
A) photosynthesis 
B) hydration 
C) oxidation 
D) fusion 
E) none of these

Question 19

Zircons found in continental rocks give evidence that continental crust was forming as long ago as ________.

Accepted Answer

A) 4)4 billion years ago 
B) 1)9 billion years ago 
C) 564 million years ago 
D) 70 million years ago 
E) 10,000 years ago 
A) 4)4 billion years ago 
B) 1)9 billion years ago 
C) 564 million years ago 
D) 70 million years ago 
E) 10,000 years ago

Question 20

A major obstacle the first land plants had to overcome was ________.

Accepted Answer

A) finding food on land where there were no organic compounds 
B) staying upright despite gravity and wind on land 
C) their lack of mobility because they needed water access 
D) the large number of plant eating organisms on land 
E) eliminating waste materials in the atmosphere 
A) finding food on land where there were no organic compounds 
B) staying upright despite gravity and wind on land 
C) their lack of mobility because they needed water access 
D) the large number of plant eating organisms on land 
E) eliminating waste materials in the atmosphere

Exam 12: Earths Evolution Through Geologic Time

What is the role of density in the changes to the earth's atmosphere over time?

The beginning of the Phanerozoic is marked by the ________.

In the early history of the earth,the solid surface of the earth weathered more rapidly than now because ________.

Which type of bacteria thrive in environments that lack free oxygen?

Why is it important that we have a rigid lithosphere overlying a weak asthenosphere?

Earth's original atmosphere,several billion years ago,was similar to the present atmosphere.

The earth formed approximately ________ years ago.

Early Earth was hot because ________.

The first fully land-based animals were ________.

Why is it so difficult to interpret the geology of the Precambrian? How are these difficulties or limitations different in the younger eras of the Phanerozoic Eon? Finally,are there unique rocks or events in the Precambrian that are not present in younger rocks?

Most Mesozoic rocks are devoid of fossils; consequently this is the least understood span of Earth's history.

The Great Oxygen Event marks the time,approximately 2.5 billion years ago,when ________.

Probably the single most characteristic feature of the Precambrian is its great abundance of fossil evidence.

The large size of insects and amphibians during the Pennsylvanian period has been suggested to be due to ________.

During the process of ________,plants release the gas ________.

Mammals replaced reptiles as the dominant land animals in the Cenozoic era.

The beginning of the Precambrian era is marked by the appearance of the first life forms with hard parts.

The process in which plants use light energy to synthesize food sugars from carbon dioxide is called ________.

Zircons found in continental rocks give evidence that continental crust was forming as long ago as ________.

A major obstacle the first land plants had to overcome was ________.

Introduction to Earth Science

Matter and Minerals

Rocks: Materials of the Solid Earth

Weathering, soil, and Mass Wasting

Running Water and Groundwater

Glaciers, deserts, and Wind

Plate Tectonics: a Scientific Revolution Unfolds

Earthquakes and Earths Interior

Volcanoes and Other Igneous Activity

Crustal Deformation and Mountain Building

Geologic Time

The Ocean Floor

Ocean Water and Ocean Life

The Dynamic Ocean

The Atmosphere: Composition,structure,and Temperature

Moisture, clouds, and Precipitation

Air Pressure and Wind

Weather Patterns and Severe Weather

World Climates and Global Climate Change

Origin of Modern Astronomy

Touring Our Solar System

Light,astronomical Observations,and the Sun

Beyond Our Solar System

Filters

During the process of ,plants release the gas .