Land changes over time

Land changes over time

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about rock layers and fossils.
We can learn a lot about changes in the Earth's surface by looking at a cutting through the surface layers.
Here is a diagram of a cutting through the side of a hill.
fossil-layers.png

Question

a)  Which layer in the diagram best fits each description below?
     i)  Formed on low-lying land that was covered with dense forests 
    • A - Fossilised shells in sandstone

    • B - Limestone

    • C - Fossilised reptile bones

    • D - Coal

Question

     Which layer in the diagram best fits each description below?

     ii) Formed from finely crushed shells and bones of sea creatures
 
    • A - Fossilised shells in sandstone

    • B - Limestone

    • C - Fossilised reptile bones

    • D - Coal

Question

b)  Which is the youngest layer?
    • A - Fossilised shells in sandstone

    • B - Limestone

    • C - Fossilised reptile bones

    • D - Coal

Question 2Change answer

c)  Why is layer B not eroded (worn away) as much as layer A?

Question

d)  Which two layers were formed under the sea? (Choose two)
    • A - Fossilised shells in sandstone

    • B - Limestone

    • C - Fossilised reptile bones

    • D - Coal

Question Change answer

e)  Use the diagram to place the events listed below in order from oldest to most recent.
  • Change in sea level resulting in deep sea
  • Dense forest on low-lying land
  • Sea becoming shallow
  • Dinosaurs roaming the land
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Level:
4
Description of task: 
Students use a diagram of a cutting showing exposed rock layers to answer questions about their formation, age, and geological history.
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 evidence provided in a diagram that can be used to make inferences.
 
Science capabilities: 
Making Better Sense: 
Answers/responses: 
 

Y7 (07/1997)

Y8 (07/1997)

a) i)
ii)
D - Coal
B - Limestone
moderate
very difficult
easy
difficult
b)   A - Fossilised shells in sandstone easy easy
c)   Because it is harder/more compressed
or A is softer/less compact
very difficult difficult
d)  
A - Fossilised shells in sandstone
and
B - Limestone
difficult difficult
e)  
Dense forest on low lying land
Dinosaurs roaming the land
Change in sea level resulting in deep sea
Sea becoming shallow
very difficult very difficult
Diagnostic and formative information: 
    Common error
a) i) Where a wrong layer was chosen, 89% chose layer B – Limestone.
    ii) Layer A chosen by 31% of students.
Layer C chosen by 26% of students.

 

   

Analysis of responses

d)

A breakdown of the layers chosen to be formed under the sea.
Layer A – selected in 38% of answers.
Layer B – selected in 23.5% of answers.
Layer C – selected in 23.5% of answers.
Layer D – selected in 15% of answers.