What Fossils Tell Us About Earth — Reading Comprehension

Fossils are the remains or traces of plants and animals that lived a very long time ago. Most fossils are found in sedimentary rock, which forms when sand, mud, and small pieces of rock pile up over time and harden. When a living thing dies, it can be buried by these layers. Over many years, the remains can turn into a fossil.

A paleontologist is a scientist who studies fossils. By examining fossils, paleontologists can learn about animals and plants that are now extinct, which means they no longer exist. For example, fossils of dinosaurs tell us that these huge animals once roamed the Earth.

Fossils are important because they show us how living things have changed over time. By comparing old and new fossils, scientists can see how some animals adapted to their environment or why some species disappeared. Fossils can also show what Earth’s climate was like in the past. For instance, finding palm tree fossils in cold places tells us those areas were once warm.

There are different types of fossils. Some are body fossils, like bones, teeth, or shells. Others are trace fossils, which are marks left behind, such as footprints or burrows. Both kinds help us piece together what life was like long ago.

Real-world discoveries, like the footprints of ancient animals found in rocks, help scientists understand how these creatures moved and lived. Fossils also help us know about mass extinctions, times when many living things died out at once, like when the dinosaurs disappeared.

Interesting Fact: The word "fossil" comes from a Latin word that means "dug up." Some fossils are over 500 million years old!

Where are most fossils found?

Who studies fossils?

What does extinct mean?

Why are fossils important?

What can fossils tell us about climate?

What do trace fossils show?

Dinosaurs are extinct. True or false?

What is sedimentary rock?