Name ______________________________ Class___________________Date__________________

Assessment

Chapter Test B
The History of Life on Earth
USING KEY TERMS
Use the terms from the following list to complete the sentences below. Each term
may be used only once. Some terms may not be used.

absolute dating hominids Mesozoic primates

mass extinctions Cenozoic Neanderthals relative dating
1. Paleontologists use ______________________ to estimate the age of a fossil
based on the layer in which it is found.
2. Dinosaurs dominated the Earth during the ______________________ era
beginning about 251 million years ago.
3. Some important divisions of geologic time are marked by
______________________
4. Bipedalism separates ______________________ from other primates.
5. The ______________________ lived at the same time as early Homo sapiens
and also had clothing and organized societies.

UNDERSTANDING KEY IDEAS

Write the letter of the correct answer in the space provided.

_____ 6. Cyanobacteria, which first appeared on Earth over 3 billion years ago,
are
a. eukaryotes. c. one of the organisms on land.
b. prokaryotes. d. descendants of primitive plants.
_____ 7. Which of the following is characteristic of all primates?
a. bipedalism c. binocular vision
b. vertical pelvis d. opposable big toes
_____ 8. Which group of hominids that lived in Europe and Asia disappeared
from the fossil record about 30,000 years ago?
a. Homo erectus c. Homo sapiens
b. australopithecines d. Neanderthals
_____ 9. Past mass extinctions most likely occurred as a result of
a. oxygen pollution. c. sudden global climate change.
b. ozone destruction. d. exposure to UV radiation.
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Name ______________________________ Class___________________Date__________________
Chapter Test B continued

_____ 10. The first organisms to appear on Earth did not need
a. oxygen. c. cells.
b. nitrogen. d. chemicals.
11. What do the eras of the geologic time scale represent?
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12. Why is a “bush” or “tree” more accurate than a “line” to describe how
hominids developed into modern humans? Give evidence for your answer.
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13. How can an atomic half-life help give an absolute date for the age of a fossil?
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology 50 The History of Life on Earth
Name ______________________________ Class___________________Date__________________

Chapter Test B continued

CRITICAL THINKING
14. Describe the similarities and differences between Neanderthals and present
day humans.
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15. Mount Tambora, in Indonesia, erupted in April 1815, spewing huge amounts
of fine ash into the air. The ash quickly spread throughout the upper
atmosphere, reducing the amount of sunlight in the area. This led to a famine
that killed at least 80,000 people. How did the eruption of Mount Tambora
cause a famine?
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology 51 The History of Life on Earth
Name ______________________________ Class___________________Date__________________
Chapter Test B continued

16. What type of fossil evidence may exist that would lead scientists to believe
that dinosaurs were ancestors of birds? Why might large dinosaurs have died
out at the end of the Mesozoic era, while smaller birds survived?
_______________________________________________________________
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INTERPRETING GRAPHICS
Use the diagram below to answer question 17.

17. According to the diagram, which modern reptile is most closely related to
dinosaurs: tortoises, lizards and snakes, or crocodiles? Explain your reasoning.
_______________________________________________________________
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Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.
Holt Science and Technology 52 The History of Life on Earth