- 1. Trilobite! by Richard Fortey is a captivating exploration of one of the most fascinating and successful groups of extinct organisms, the trilobites. These ancient arthropods roamed the Earth for over 270 million years, showcasing a stunning diversity of shapes and sizes, making them a perfect subject for both paleontologists and enthusiasts alike. In this engaging narrative, Fortey combines scientific rigor with vivid storytelling, taking readers on a journey through geological time, uncovering the rich history of the trilobite’s evolution, their adaptive strategies, and their eventual extinction. He weaves personal anecdotes from his fieldwork and encounters with fellow scientists, providing a human touch to the scientific discourse. As readers delve into the pages, they encounter not only the intricacies of trilobite anatomy and behavior, such as their compound eyes and unique molting processes, but also the broader themes of life's resilience and the ever-changing nature of our planet. Fortey's enthusiasm and deep knowledge shine through, making 'Trilobite!' not just a book about fossils, but a profound reflection on Earth's biological past and the scientific endeavor to understand it.
Where does Fortey work professionally?
A) Oxford University
B) British Museum
C) Smithsonian Institution
D) Natural History Museum, London
- 2. What is the name for trilobite's ability to roll up?
A) Rolling defense
B) Coiling
C) Enrollment
D) Curling
- 3. Where did Fortey do important fieldwork for trilobites?
A) Antarctica
B) Greenland
C) Siberia
D) Spitsbergen
- 4. What major extinction wiped out trilobites?
A) Devonian
B) Triassic-Jurassic
C) Permian-Triassic
D) Cretaceous-Paleogene
- 5. What does 'trilobite' mean?
A) Ancient arthropod
B) Stone bug
C) Three-lobed
D) Fossil insect
- 6. What is the study of trilobites called?
A) Fossil arthropod studies
B) Paleoarthropodology
C) Ancient biology
D) Trilobitology
- 7. What did some trilobites use for defense?
A) Speed
B) Spines
C) Poison
D) Camouflage
- 8. What geological period saw the first trilobites?
A) Silurian
B) Precambrian
C) Ordovician
D) Cambrian
- 9. What famous fossil site features trilobites?
A) Solnhofen Limestone
B) La Brea Tar Pits
C) Burgess Shale
D) Messel Pit
- 10. What type of animals were trilobites?
A) Annelids
B) Mollusks
C) Chordates
D) Arthropods
- 11. What was unique about some trilobite eyes?
A) Calcite lenses
B) Telescopic vision
C) Infrared vision
D) Multiple pupils
- 12. What time period had the most trilobite diversity?
A) Devonian
B) Cambrian
C) Silurian
D) Ordovician
- 13. What scientific concept does Fortey illustrate with trilobites?
A) Quantum mechanics
B) Relativity
C) Evolution
D) Plate tectonics
- 14. What makes trilobites important to science?
A) Space exploration
B) Genetic studies
C) Medical research
D) Index fossils
- 15. What is Richard Fortey's profession?
A) Geologist
B) Biologist
C) Paleontologist
D) Archaeologist
- 16. What type of fossil is the main subject of Fortey's book?
A) Ammonites
B) Dinosaurs
C) Trilobites
D) Brachiopods
- 17. How long did trilobites dominate the oceans?
A) 500 million years
B) 300 million years
C) 50 million years
D) 100 million years
- 18. Where did Fortey find his first significant trilobite fossil?
A) China
B) Canada
C) Morocco
D) Wales
- 19. How did trilobites grow?
A) Budding
B) Molting
C) Continuous growth
D) Cell division
- 20. Where are the best-preserved trilobite fossils found?
A) United States
B) England
C) Australia
D) Morocco
- 21. What is the name for the head shield of a trilobite?
A) Carapace
B) Prosoma
C) Cephalon
D) Head plate
- 22. What is the tail section of a trilobite called?
A) Pygidium
B) Caudal fin
C) Abdomen
D) Telson
- 23. What is the name for the segmented body of a trilobite?
A) Thorax
B) Segments
C) Body rings
D) Pleura
- 24. What is the study of fossilized animal behavior called?
A) Paleoethology
B) Ethology
C) Behavioral paleontology
D) Ichnology
- 25. What is the process of molting called that trilobites underwent as they grew?
A) Mineralization
B) Fossilization
C) Metamorphosis
D) Ecdysis
- 26. What was the largest trilobite species mentioned in the book?
A) Isotelus
B) Paradoxides
C) Phacops
D) Olenellus
- 27. What was the likely primary diet of most trilobites?
A) Other trilobites
B) Plants
C) Detritus
D) Plankton
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