Life Has A History Quiz!

Approved & Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team

The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.

Learn about Our Editorial Process

| By Jan_parker

Jan_parker

Community Contributor

Quizzes Created: 9 | Total Attempts: 60,300

Questions: 9 | Attempts: 246 | Updated: Jan 11, 2023

Questions

Settings

Create your own Quiz

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Whatsapp Share on Pinterest Share on Email Copy to Clipboard Embed on your website

This is a quiz to check your prior knowledge regarding the history of life on earth.

Questions and Answers

1.

Extinction is common.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Extinction is a common occurrence in the natural world. Over the course of Earth's history, countless species have gone extinct due to various factors such as natural disasters, changes in climate, competition for resources, and human activities. Extinction is a natural part of the process of evolution, as new species arise and others disappear. Therefore, it can be concluded that extinction is indeed common.

Rate this question:
2.

Without variation, evolution cannot happen.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
This statement is true because variation is a key factor in the process of evolution. Without variation in traits within a population, there would be no genetic diversity for natural selection to act upon. Variation allows for the occurrence of beneficial traits that can increase an organism's chances of survival and reproduction, leading to the passing on of those traits to future generations. Without this variation, there would be no mechanism for species to adapt and change over time, and therefore, evolution would not occur.

Rate this question:
3.

Millions of years passed between the extinction of dinosaurs and the appearance of the first humans.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
The statement is true because the extinction of dinosaurs occurred around 65 million years ago, while the appearance of the first humans, specifically Homo sapiens, happened only around 200,000 years ago. This vast time gap of millions of years supports the accuracy of the statement.

Rate this question:
4.

A cladogram is a diagram that shows how a group of organisms might be related to each other.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
A cladogram is indeed a diagram that illustrates the relationships between different organisms. It represents the evolutionary history and common ancestry of a group of organisms by showing their shared characteristics and branching patterns. By examining the similarities and differences between species, scientists can construct cladograms to understand the evolutionary relationships and genetic connections between organisms.

Rate this question:
5.

There are more mammals on Earth today than any other group of animals.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
Mammals are a diverse group of animals that have adapted to various habitats around the world. They include a wide range of species such as humans, dogs, cats, elephants, and whales. Mammals have successfully evolved and diversified over millions of years, leading to their dominance in terms of numbers. While there are certainly many other groups of animals on Earth, such as insects and birds, the statement is true because mammals currently have the highest number of species and individuals.

Rate this question:
6.

Of all the species that have ever lived on this planet, how many have gone extinct?
- A.
  
  More than 90%
- B.
  
  60-80%
- C.
  
  30-60%
- D.
  
  10-30%
Correct Answer
A. More than 90%

Explanation
More than 90% of the species that have ever lived on this planet have gone extinct. This means that the majority of the species that have existed throughout history are no longer present today. Extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout the Earth's history, with various factors such as environmental changes, competition, and natural disasters contributing to the disappearance of species over time. The high percentage of extinctions highlights the dynamic nature of life on Earth and the constant evolution and adaptation of species.

Rate this question:
7.

Natural selection is an important mechanism for evolution. If there is a change in the environment, which of the following statements is correct:
- A.
  
  Individual organisms will evolve in order to survive and reproduce.
- B.
  
  Those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.
- C.
  
  Those organisms that are the strongest will survive and reproduce.
Correct Answer
B. Those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.

Explanation
Natural selection is a process in which individuals with advantageous traits that allow them to better adapt to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. This leads to the passing on of these beneficial traits to future generations, resulting in evolutionary change. Therefore, the correct statement is that those organisms that have features that can take advantage of the environmental change will survive and reproduce.

Rate this question:
8.

Name three kinds of fossils other than bones and teeth.
9.

Name three kinds of evidence that scientists use to determine common ancestry.

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

Current Version
Jan 11, 2023

Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team
Feb 23, 2009

Quiz Created by
Jan_parker

Life Has A History Quiz!

Extinction is common.

Without variation, evolution cannot happen.

Millions of years passed between the extinction of dinosaurs and the appearance of the first humans.

A cladogram is a diagram that shows how a group of organisms might be related to each other.

There are more mammals on Earth today than any other group of animals.

Of all the species that have ever lived on this planet, how many have gone extinct?

Natural selection is an important mechanism for evolution. If there is a change in the environment, which of the following statements is correct:

Name three kinds of fossils other than bones and teeth.

Name three kinds of evidence that scientists use to determine common ancestry.