Free Printable WorksheetScienceGrade 6Science CurriculumMS-LS4-1

6.98 Fossils and Evidence of Common Ancestry Worksheet

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Worksheet Overview & Skills Covered

Core academic competencies and curriculum alignment

This Grade 6 Science worksheet provides structured practice on 6.98 Fossils and Evidence of Common Ancestry. Students are guided through targeted exercises that build foundational understanding, computational accuracy, and critical thinking skills.

Fossils and Evidence of Common Ancestry - Which diagram or model best shows fossils and evidence of common ancestry? (NGSS MS‑LS4‑1/2)

Whether you are an educator preparing classroom handouts, a tutor reinforcing weekly topics, or a parent supporting homeschool learning, this printable resource gives students the deliberate practice required to achieve subject fluency and master state standards.

Grade

Grade 6

Subject

Science

Domain

Science Curriculum

Formats

PDF & DOCX

Sample Practice Problems

Preview the types of problems and questions covered in this worksheet

Below are sample questions representative of the exercises included on this worksheet and related 6.98 Fossils and Evidence of Common Ancestry skill assessments:

Problem 1Difficulty: Mastery

Scientists compare an extinct fossil with a modern species. The fossil is found in older layers, has the same unusual ankle bones and ear bones as the modern species, and fits into a sequence of intermediate forms. Which set of evidence best supports common ancestry?

Ashared derived structures plus the fossil sequence through time

Bbody size only

Crock color only

Dthe same habitat only

Solution & Explanation:Common ancestry is best supported by inherited structures together with the fossil sequence across time.

Problem 2Difficulty: Mastery

Use the trait table. Fossil W has a skull opening. Fossil X has a skull opening and a hinged ankle. Fossil Y has a skull opening, a hinged ankle, and feathers. Fossil Z has none of those traits. Which tree needs the fewest separate trait changes?

AAll four fossils split from one point with no shared pattern in the traits.

BFossil Y branches first, Fossil Z branches next, and Fossils W and X share the most recent common ancestor.

CFossil Z branches first, Fossil W branches next, and Fossils X and Y share the most recent common ancestor.

DFossil W branches first, and Fossils X and Y are placed on unrelated distant branches.

Solution & Explanation:That tree matches the step-by-step appearance of traits with the fewest repeated trait changes.

Problem 3Difficulty: Mastery

A model shows one common ancestor branching into three lines. One line ends in extinction, one leads to a modern species, and one leads to a different extinct species. Which statement does the model best support?

ACommon ancestry can involve both surviving and extinct branches.

BExtinct branches cannot be related to living ones.

COnly the branch that survives matters in ancestry.

DA common ancestor can have only two descendants.

Solution & Explanation:A branching model can include multiple descendant lines, some surviving and some ending in extinction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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QWhat grade level and standards does this worksheet align with?

This worksheet is designed specifically for Grade 6 Science students. It aligns with educational standard MS-LS4-1 (Primary standard selected for prompt fields in this prompt cell: NGSS MS-LS4-1. Skill statement in this prompt cell: Which diagram or model best shows fossils and evidence of common ancestry? Associated standards listed with this skill in this prompt cell: NGSS MS-LS4-1/2. Use this prompt-provided wording as the supporting standard description for this workflow.).