Are Dinosaurs Still With Us

Question

A scientist discovers a fossil of an animal and places it in the fossil record. The organism’s bones are similar to the bones of animal T, which appears earlier in the fossil record. Which conclusion is most reasonable?(1 point)
Responses

The fossils are from animals that lived at the same time.
The fossils are from animals that lived at the same time.

The fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.
The fossils are from an ancestor of animal T.

The fossils are from a descendant of animal T.
The fossils are from a descendant of animal T.

The fossils came from the same organism.
Why do organisms evolve?(1 point)
Responses

Organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment pass on those traits.
Organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment pass on those traits.

Changes in the environment cause organisms to change.
Changes in the environment cause organisms to change.

Organisms make changes to help them survive and reproduce in their environment.
Organisms make changes to help them survive and reproduce in their environment.

Organisms naturally select traits that help them survive and reproduce.
Organisms naturally select traits that help them survive and reproduce.
Scientists examine fossils from three different animals. They determine that all three animals share similar structures and record their observations as follows:

Animal A and animal B have somewhat similar structures.
Animal A and animal C have very similar structures.
Animal B and animal C have very similar structures.
The scientists use the similarities to determine the order in which the fossils should appear in the fossil record. Based on the scientists’ observations, which order is the most reasonable?

(1 point)
Responses

A, C, B
A, C, B

A, B, C
A, B, C

C, B, A
C, B, A

B, A, C
Scientists discover fossilized bones from two different animals. The scientists consult the fossil record to learn more about the fossils. Which question will the fossil record best answer?(1 point)
Responses

What killed the animals?
What killed the animals?

How are the animals related to modern animals?
How are the animals related to modern animals?

Which animal was better equipped to survive?
Which animal was better equipped to survive?

Which animal is older?
How do fossils of the animal Archaeopteryx provide evidence that birds evolved from one group of dinosaurs?(1 point)
Responses

Fossils of Archeopteryx have traits that show they were better able to survive than dinosaurs but less able to survive than birds.
Fossils of Archeopteryx have traits that show they were better able to survive than dinosaurs but less able to survive than birds.

Fossils of Archeopteryx were discovered near fossils of both dinosaurs and birds.
Fossils of Archeopteryx were discovered near fossils of both dinosaurs and birds.

Fossils of Archaeopteryx are older than fossils of birds but younger than fossils of dinosaurs.
Fossils of Archaeopteryx are older than fossils of birds but younger than fossils of dinosaurs.

Fossils of Archaeopteryx have traits of both dinosaurs and birds.

Answer 1

Here are the most reasonable answers to each of the questions:

1. A scientist discovers a fossil of an animal ... which conclusion is most reasonable?

   • Response: The fossils are from a descendant of animal T.

2. Why do organisms evolve?

   • Response: Organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce in their environment pass on those traits.

3. Based on the scientists’ observations about animal structures ... which order is the most reasonable?

   • Response: A, C, B (Animal A has somewhat similar structures to B, and very similar structures to C, suggesting that A is the earliest ancestor).

4. Which question will the fossil record best answer?

   • Response: How are the animals related to modern animals?

5. How do fossils of the animal Archaeopteryx provide evidence that birds evolved from one group of dinosaurs?

   • Response: Fossils of Archaeopteryx have traits of both dinosaurs and birds.

These responses reflect a fundamental understanding of evolutionary biology and the fossil record.