Question

Select the statement(s) that accurately describe Darwin's conclusions after comparing and contrasting the fossils he discovered to the living things he observed.


Species have evolved or changed over long periods of time.

The Earth was much older than previously believed.

Living things shared common ancestors with species from the past.

The fossils discovered and species observed had no similarities.

The Earth was about 6,000 years old.

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- Species have evolved or changed over long periods of time.
- Living things shared common ancestors with species from the past.

Explanation: Darwin inferred that similarities between fossils and living organisms meant species had changed over long time spans and descended from common ancestors. He did not conclude fossils and living species had no similarities, nor did he claim the Earth was only ~6,000 years old. (While he accepted that the Earth was very old enough for gradual change, the key conclusions from his fossil comparisons are evolution and common ancestry.)