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History of Life on Earth

Explore the major events and periods in the history of life on Earth, from early cells to modern biodiversity.

Grade 8 Science BiologyHistory of Life on Earth
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Multiple ChoiceFill in the BlanksTrue / FalseShort AnswerImage

Standards

MS-LS4-1MS-LS4-2

Topics

biologyevolutionpaleontologygeology
7 sections · Free to use · Printable
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History of Life on Earth

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Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Refer to your knowledge of the history of life on Earth.

1. Which of the following is considered the earliest form of life on Earth?

a

Dinosaurs

b

Prokaryotes

c

Fish

d

Mammals

2. The Cambrian Explosion is a period known for the rapid diversification of what?

a

Flowering plants

b

Marine invertebrates

c

Reptiles

d

Birds

3. The first organisms to perform photosynthesis were  , which led to an increase in atmospheric oxygen.

4. The Age of Dinosaurs is also known as the   Era.

5. The theory that all life on Earth shares a common ancestor is called  .

6. The Earth's atmosphere has always contained the same amount of oxygen as it does today.

T

True

F

False

7. Mass extinctions have occurred several times throughout Earth's history, leading to significant changes in dominant life forms.

T

True

F

False

8. Describe one major event that occurred during the Precambrian Eon.

9. Explain the significance of the development of hard body parts (like shells and skeletons) in the fossil record.

Use the geological timeline below to answer the following questions.

Geological time spiral

10. During which era did the first mammals appear?

11. Approximately how long ago did the Cenozoic Era begin?