Question

choose a word to complete each sentence. write each sentence so it makes sense.

1. a leaf that has been ______ for millions of years is a fossil.

a. preserved
b. hidden
c. alive

1. most fossils are found in ______ rocks.

a. metamorphic
b. sedimentary
c. igneous

1. both ____ and ____ can preserve fossils.

a. plants and animals
b. dirt and water
c. ice and hardened tree sap

Explanation:

1. For the first question, a fossil is a preserved remains of a once - living organism. A leaf that has been preserved for millions of years is a fossil. "Hidden" doesn't imply the process of becoming a fossil, and a leaf can't be alive for millions of years. So the correct option is a. preserved.
2. Most fossils are found in sedimentary rocks. Sedimentary rocks form from the accumulation of sediment, which can trap and preserve organisms. Metamorphic rocks are formed from the transformation of existing rocks under heat and pressure, which would destroy fossils. Igneous rocks form from the cooling of magma or lava, and organisms can't be preserved in this process. So the correct option is b. sedimentary.
3. Both plants and animals can be preserved as fossils, and substances like dirt and water (in the form of sediment) and ice and hardened tree sap (amber) can preserve fossils. But the question is about what can preserve fossils. The option a says "plants and animals" which are the things being preserved, not the preservatives. Option b and c are substances that can preserve fossils. But the question structure is "Both __ and can preserve fossils". The most appropriate is that both dirt and water (sediment - related) and ice and hardened tree sap (amber - like) are preservative media, but looking at the options, the option a is incorrect as it's the organisms, and between b and c, but the question's "both" is likely referring to the fact that both the processes involving dirt/water (sedimentation) and ice/sap (special preservation) occur, but the option a is wrong. Wait, re - reading: the question is "Both and can preserve fossils". The options are a. plants and animals (they are fossilized, not the preservers), b. dirt and water (sediment, which preserves), c. ice and hardened tree sap (also preserve). But the "both" here: actually, the correct answer for the blanks should be that both the environments/materials like dirt and water (sediment) and ice and sap can preserve, but the option a is wrong. Wait, maybe the question is mis - phrased, but according to the options, the correct answer for the first blank (the first part of "both...and..."): the option a is plants and animals (not preservers), so the correct answer for the third question's blanks: the first blank should be a preservative medium and the second too. But the options given: the correct answer is a? No, a is plants and animals (the fossils). Wait, maybe the question is "Both and can be preserved as fossils" but it's written as "can preserve fossils". That's a mistake. But assuming the question is "Both and can be preserved as fossils", then a is correct. But the original question says "can preserve fossils", which is incorrect for a. So there might be a typo, but based on the options, if we take the question as "Both and __ can be preserved as fossils", then a is correct.

Answer:

1. a. preserved
2. b. sedimentary
3. a. plants and animals