Read the following paragraph from the section "Prehistoric Clues." The layers above or below a fossil are helpful, too. Say a higher layer of rock has fossils of animals that lived in water. The layer below it might have fossils of land animals. That shows that the environment changed. Water filled the area after it was dry. What conclusion can the reader make based on this paragraph? (A) (B) (C) (D) The fossils from the land animals are older than the fossils from the water animals. The fossils from the land animals show that they lived at the same time as the water animals. The fossils of water animals show that they lived for a much longer time than the land animals. The fossils of water animals suggest that scientists were wrong about the fossil ages.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1LR
icon
Related questions
Question
### Prehistoric Clues: Understanding Fossil Layers

**Reading Excerpt:**
"The layers above or below a fossil are helpful, too. Say a higher layer of rock has fossils of animals that lived in water. The layer below it might have fossils of land animals. That shows that the environment changed. Water filled the area after it was dry."

**Question:**
What conclusion can the reader make based on this paragraph?

**Options:**
- (A) The fossils from the land animals are older than the fossils from the water animals.
- (B) The fossils from the land animals show that they lived at the same time as the water animals.
- (C) The fossils of water animals show that they lived for a much longer time than the land animals.
- (D) The fossils of water animals suggest that scientists were wrong about the fossil ages.

---

**Explanation:**

The provided text is an educational excerpt from the section "Prehistoric Clues." It discusses how different fossil layers can indicate environmental changes over time. For instance, if a higher rock layer contains fossils of water-dwelling animals and the layer below contains fossils of land animals, it signifies a transition from a dry environment to one that was filled with water.

Based on this information, students are asked to deduce the correct conclusion from the given options. The correct answer is:

- **(A) The fossils from the land animals are older than the fossils from the water animals.**

This conclusion is based on the understanding that layers of rock are formed over time, with the older layers positioned beneath the newer ones.
Transcribed Image Text:### Prehistoric Clues: Understanding Fossil Layers **Reading Excerpt:** "The layers above or below a fossil are helpful, too. Say a higher layer of rock has fossils of animals that lived in water. The layer below it might have fossils of land animals. That shows that the environment changed. Water filled the area after it was dry." **Question:** What conclusion can the reader make based on this paragraph? **Options:** - (A) The fossils from the land animals are older than the fossils from the water animals. - (B) The fossils from the land animals show that they lived at the same time as the water animals. - (C) The fossils of water animals show that they lived for a much longer time than the land animals. - (D) The fossils of water animals suggest that scientists were wrong about the fossil ages. --- **Explanation:** The provided text is an educational excerpt from the section "Prehistoric Clues." It discusses how different fossil layers can indicate environmental changes over time. For instance, if a higher rock layer contains fossils of water-dwelling animals and the layer below contains fossils of land animals, it signifies a transition from a dry environment to one that was filled with water. Based on this information, students are asked to deduce the correct conclusion from the given options. The correct answer is: - **(A) The fossils from the land animals are older than the fossils from the water animals.** This conclusion is based on the understanding that layers of rock are formed over time, with the older layers positioned beneath the newer ones.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps

Blurred answer
Recommended textbooks for you
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Applications and Investigations in Earth Science …
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134746241
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Exercises for Weather & Climate (9th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134041360
Author:
Greg Carbone
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781260153125
Author:
William P Cunningham Prof., Mary Ann Cunningham Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science (15th Edition)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9780134543536
Author:
Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
Publisher:
PEARSON
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Environmental Science (MindTap Course List)
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781337569613
Author:
G. Tyler Miller, Scott Spoolman
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physical Geology
Physical Geology
Earth Science
ISBN:
9781259916823
Author:
Plummer, Charles C., CARLSON, Diane H., Hammersley, Lisa
Publisher:
Mcgraw-hill Education,