Fossils

Uncover the mysteries of Earth's past! This worksheet helps students understand what fossils are and their importance.

What is a fossil? The preserved remains of a dead plant or animal found in a rock Fuels that formed from the decayed remains of plants and animals A solid natural material that has a crystal form and its own set of properties Inorganic materials found in rock By examining fossils, scientists believe that — many changes have occurred to plants and animals over time it is not possible to determine the past from fossils not manychanges have occurred to plants and animals over time most animals did not change much, but some plants show changes The diagram below shows rock layers next to a road.Layer F contains many plant fossils. Layer F most likely formed in which of these environments? Desert Forest Ocean Arctic area Most fossils are found in- Frozen Rock Igneous Rock Sedimentary Rock Metamorphic rock In which layer will the oldest fossils be found? M N O P Scientists claim that the area around the Grand Canyon was once covered by an ocean. What evidence would support their claim? Dinosaur footprints were found near the Grand Canyon. Fish were found living in the rivers of the Grand Canyon. Fossils of ocean animals were found at the Grand Canyon. Shells and other evidence were found closer to the ocean Which of the following is a true statement about the area shown? the area has only supported organisms living on land the area has only supported organisms living in the ocean the area has supported organisms living on land and in the ocean during different periods of time none of these are true Where they lived Fill in each box with the words land or water. water water land land Why are fossils important? They add hummus to the soil They are food for decomposers. The provide evidence or clues of the past. They are nice to find. How did fossils get in a sedimentary rock? They were washed away and weathered. They grew there and then they were deposited. Scientists put them there. They were trapped, compacted and cemented in between the sediments.