Mahoney - Geologic Time Task Quiz
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How old is the earth?
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4.6 days old
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4.6 million years old
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4.6 billion years old
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4.6trillion years old
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The 'Mahoney - Geologic Time Task Quiz' assesses understanding of Earth's history, focusing on the timeline of human existence, major geological periods like the Precambrian and Mesozoic, and the age of Earth. This quiz is crucial for learners studying geology or earth sciences.
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- 2.
What time period are we currently living in?
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Cenozoic
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Paleozoic
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Precambrian
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Mesozoic
Correct Answer
A. CenozoicExplanation
The Cenozoic era is the current time period that began around 66 million years ago and is characterized by the dominance of mammals and the diversification of life forms. It is also known as the Age of Mammals. This era followed the Mesozoic era, which was known for the dominance of dinosaurs and ended with a mass extinction event. The Cenozoic era is marked by significant geological and biological changes, including the evolution of humans. Therefore, it is correct to say that we are currently living in the Cenozoic era.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following was the longest of the four time periods listed?
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Cenozoic
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Mesozoic
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Paleozoic
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Precambrian
Correct Answer
A. PrecambrianExplanation
The Precambrian time period was the longest among the four listed. It spans from the formation of the Earth, around 4.6 billion years ago, to the beginning of the Cambrian period, approximately 541 million years ago. This period is characterized by the absence of complex life forms and is divided into three eons: Hadean, Archean, and Proterozoic. It represents a significant portion of Earth's history, encompassing billions of years before the emergence of multicellular organisms and the subsequent diversification of life during the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras.Rate this question:
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- 4.
During which of the following time periods did dinosaurs roam the land?
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Precambrian
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Paleozoic
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Mesozoic
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Cenozoic
Correct Answer
A. MesozoicExplanation
During the Mesozoic era, dinosaurs roamed the land. This era, also known as the Age of Reptiles, lasted from approximately 252 to 66 million years ago. It is characterized by the dominance and diversification of dinosaurs, as well as the emergence of other reptiles such as pterosaurs and marine reptiles. The Mesozoic era is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. It was during these periods that dinosaurs flourished and evolved into a wide variety of species, occupying various ecological niches on land.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Geologically speaking, how long have humans been on Earth?
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Humans have been on Earth for a very long time.
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Humans have been on Earth for a very short time.
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Humans have been on Earth for a somewhat long time.
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Humans have been on Earth for a somewhat short time.
Correct Answer
A. Humans have been on Earth for a very short time.Explanation
The answer "Humans have been on Earth for a very short time" is correct because in geological terms, the existence of humans is relatively recent. The Earth is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old, while human beings have only been present for approximately 200,000 years. This makes the duration of human presence on Earth relatively short compared to the overall age of the planet.Rate this question:
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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Mar 21, 2023 +
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Sep 25, 2014Quiz Created by
Courtney Frank
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