Geological time scale 0 Overview Using this Resource Connecting to the Curriculum Marking Student Responses Working with Students This task is about reading information from a geological time scale. Use the Geological Time Scale to answer these questions. Question 1Change answer a) What is the oldest 'Era' shown on this scale? Question 1Change answer b) What is the most recent 'Sub-era'? Question 2Change answer c) How long did the Permian 'Sub-era' last? million years Question 3Change answer d) A group of dinosaurs called Stegosaurs roamed the Earth between 188 and 65 million years ago. d) A group of dinosaurs called Stegosaurs roamed the Earth between 188 and 65 million years ago. What was the main 'Sub-era' they lived in? Question 4Change answer e) What does the z stand for in the abbreviation Pz? Question 5Change answer f) Why do scientists use abbreviations for time periods? f) Why do scientists use abbreviations for time periods? Task administration: This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online with some auto-marking. Copyright: Copyright: NZCER Level: 4 Curriculum info: Science, Communicating in science, Planet Earth Keywords: geological time scale, diagrams, fossils Description of task: Students are provided with a geological time scale which they use to interpret and answer a number of questions. Curriculum Links: Science capabilities The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask. Capability: Interpret representations This resource provides opportunities to discuss the conventions of geological time maps. Science capability: Interpret representations (TKI) Science capabilities: Interpret representations Making Better Sense: Dinosaurs/Fossils Answers/responses: Y8 (11/1998) a) Paleozoic/Pz easy b) Quaternary easy c) 45 million years moderate d) Cretaceous moderate e) Zoic moderate f) Any 1 of: Because words are too long. Because these words would be used a lot (by certain scientists). They are quicker to write. They are easier to spell/remember/use. moderate Diagnostic and formative information: Common error c) 25% of students answered 290. d) 31% of students answered Jurassic! e) 24% of students answered Paleozoic.
