Fossils and Evidence of Past Life — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
A dinosaur footprint is a body fossil of the dinosaur.
Corrected: A dinosaur footprint is a trace fossil of the dinosaur.
In Grade 3 science, footprints are trace fossils because they show activity, not remains.
2. Fix the sentence:
Bones and teeth is examples of body fossils.
Corrected: Bones and teeth are examples of body fossils.
Bones and teeth is a plural subject, so Grade 3 writers use the verb are.
3. Fix the sentence:
Coprolite are fossilized animal poop that scientists studies.
Corrected: Coprolite is fossilized animal poop that scientists study.
Grade 3 subject-verb rules pair singular coprolite with is and plural scientists with study.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A body fossil is the actual remains of an organism, like a bone or shell.
Grade 3 science calls preserved remains such as bones or shells body fossils.
2. A trace fossil is a mark left behind, like a footprint or burrow.
Grade 3 science calls footprints, burrows, and coprolite trace fossils.
3. Fossilized animal droppings are called coprolite.
Grade 3 science uses coprolite for fossilized droppings, a type of trace fossil.
4. A shell turned to stone is a kind of body fossil.
A preserved shell is an actual remain, so Grade 3 science classifies it as a body fossil.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. A dinosaur bone turned to stone is a body fossil in Grade 3 science.
True False
True: bones are real remains, so Grade 3 science calls them body fossils.
2. A dinosaur footprint in rock is a body fossil.
True False
False: Grade 3 science classifies footprints as trace fossils, not body fossils.
3. A burrow made by an ancient worm can become a trace fossil.
True False
True: burrows are evidence of activity, so Grade 3 science calls them trace fossils.