Past Environments from Fossils - 3rd Grade Science
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What does a group of similar fossils found together most strongly suggest about the environment?
What does a group of similar fossils found together most strongly suggest about the environment?
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Those organisms lived in the same type of environment. Animals with similar needs lived together.
Those organisms lived in the same type of environment. Animals with similar needs lived together.
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Identify the best conclusion: many plant fossils are found in one rock layer.
Identify the best conclusion: many plant fossils are found in one rock layer.
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The area once had many plants (a plant-rich environment). Many plants indicate a lush, vegetated environment.
The area once had many plants (a plant-rich environment). Many plants indicate a lush, vegetated environment.
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Identify the best conclusion: many shell fossils are found in one rock layer.
Identify the best conclusion: many shell fossils are found in one rock layer.
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The area was once a marine or coastal environment. Shells indicate ocean or coastal conditions.
The area was once a marine or coastal environment. Shells indicate ocean or coastal conditions.
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What does a leaf fossil most strongly suggest about the past environment?
What does a leaf fossil most strongly suggest about the past environment?
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Plants grew there, so the area supported plant life. Leaves come from plants that need soil and water.
Plants grew there, so the area supported plant life. Leaves come from plants that need soil and water.
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What does a trace fossil like a trackway (many footprints) suggest about the organism?
What does a trace fossil like a trackway (many footprints) suggest about the organism?
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It walked or moved across the ground there. Trackways show the animal's movement patterns.
It walked or moved across the ground there. Trackways show the animal's movement patterns.
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What does a burrow fossil most strongly suggest about the past environment?
What does a burrow fossil most strongly suggest about the past environment?
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Soft ground or sediment where animals could dig. Animals burrow in soft mud or sand.
Soft ground or sediment where animals could dig. Animals burrow in soft mud or sand.
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Which evidence best supports a desert past environment: fish fossils or reptile footprints?
Which evidence best supports a desert past environment: fish fossils or reptile footprints?
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Reptile footprints. Reptiles thrive in dry, desert conditions.
Reptile footprints. Reptiles thrive in dry, desert conditions.
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Which evidence best supports an ocean past environment: coral fossils or tree rings?
Which evidence best supports an ocean past environment: coral fossils or tree rings?
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Coral fossils. Coral only lives in ocean water.
Coral fossils. Coral only lives in ocean water.
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What is the main idea scientists use when fossils and their environments match?
What is the main idea scientists use when fossils and their environments match?
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Fossils show what lived there and the environment it needed. Organisms match their environment's conditions.
Fossils show what lived there and the environment it needed. Organisms match their environment's conditions.
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What does a fossil of a land animal most strongly suggest about the past environment?
What does a fossil of a land animal most strongly suggest about the past environment?
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The area was land at that time. Land animals cannot survive underwater.
The area was land at that time. Land animals cannot survive underwater.
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What does a fossil of a water animal found far inland most strongly suggest?
What does a fossil of a water animal found far inland most strongly suggest?
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That inland area was once underwater. Water animals lived there before the land rose.
That inland area was once underwater. Water animals lived there before the land rose.
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Identify the best conclusion if a rock layer contains many marine fossils.
Identify the best conclusion if a rock layer contains many marine fossils.
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That layer formed in an ocean or sea. Marine organisms only live in water environments like oceans.
That layer formed in an ocean or sea. Marine organisms only live in water environments like oceans.
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Why are fossils most often found in sedimentary rock?
Why are fossils most often found in sedimentary rock?
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Sediments bury and preserve remains in layers. Dead organisms get covered by sediment before they can decay completely.
Sediments bury and preserve remains in layers. Dead organisms get covered by sediment before they can decay completely.
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What is the main idea of using fossils to infer past environments?
What is the main idea of using fossils to infer past environments?
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Organisms lived in habitats that met their needs. Animals and plants only survive where conditions match their needs.
Organisms lived in habitats that met their needs. Animals and plants only survive where conditions match their needs.
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What is one way fossils can help scientists learn about past environments?
What is one way fossils can help scientists learn about past environments?
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They show what organisms lived there long ago. Fossils preserve evidence of ancient life forms and their habitats.
They show what organisms lived there long ago. Fossils preserve evidence of ancient life forms and their habitats.
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