| 1. |
Which of the following statements is true about amino acid
racemization dating? |
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a) |
It can determine when an organism was born.
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b)
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It is based on the fact that L-amino acids changeover to their D forms progressively
after death. |
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c) |
The rate of racemization is not affected by such factors as soil moisture and
temperature. |
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| 2. |
Tree growth ring widths usually vary with:
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a)
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the strength of the local magnetic field |
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b)
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changing weather patterns |
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c)
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the relative frequency of L-amino acids and D-amino acids in the trees
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d)
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none of the above |
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| 3. |
Which of the following statements is true of dendrochronology?
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a)
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Most geographic regions are likely to have the same sequence of tree-ring widths for
the same time periods. |
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b)
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It can be used to determine when a tree was cut down and how old it was at that time.
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c)
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The longest tree-ring master sequence record now goes back to about 200,000 B.P.
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d)
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b and c |
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| 4. |
Which of the following chronometric methods can now be used for
dating in the time range 20,000-40,000 B.P.? |
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a)
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written records |
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b)
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dendrochronology |
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c)
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amino acid racemization |
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d)
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all of the above |
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| 5. |
Which of the following statements is true?
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a)
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The magnetic and the rotational north poles move around but are always within 5-10
miles of each other. |
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b)
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By measuring thermoremnant magnetism
in fire hearths, researchers have created a map of the
wandering of magnetic north
around the rotational north pole
during the last 175,000 years. |
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c)
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The magnetic north and south poles reverse or change places from time to time.
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d)
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none of the above |
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| 6. |
Paleomagnetic dating is based on the fact
that: |
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a)
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Some of the mineral components of rock acquire a weak permanent magnetism when heated
to a red hot state. |
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b)
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Cooling can magnetize some minerals in rock and clay.
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c)
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Fossils of plants and animals acquire a weak magnetic field from the soil in which
they are buried. |
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| 7. |
Which of the following dating techniques potentially could be used
to date a log used as a roof beam in an ancient house? |
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a)
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dendrochronology |
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b)
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amino acid racemization |
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c)
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paleomagnetic |
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d)
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a and b |
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e)
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all of the above |
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| 8. |
If you were excavating an early human site that you believe dates to
around 2,000,000 years ago, which of the following dating techniques would you most likely
use? |
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a)
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paleomagnetic |
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b)
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dendrochronology |
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c)
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amino acid racemization |
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d)
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written records or history |
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e)
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all of the above |
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