Grade 3 Science Worksheet on Rocks & Fossils with Diagrams and Matching Activities

Free worksheet covering Science for age 8 students. Created with Learning Corner's AI-powered tools.

Get personalized worksheets for your own interests and needs

Try Worksheets Now
PDF

Instructions

Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. Have fun exploring the amazing world of rocks and fossils!

Part 1: Multiple Choice

Circle the best answer for each question.

1. What is a fossil?

A) A type of shiny rock

B) The preserved remains of ancient life

C) A new plant growing in the dirt

2. Which of these is NOT a main type of rock?

A) Igneous

B) Sedimentary

C) Water

3. Where are you most likely to find a fossil?

A) In a volcano

B) In sedimentary rock

C) Floating in the ocean

4. A person who studies fossils is called a...

A) Paleontologist

B) Geologist

C) Doctor

5. Which of these is a natural resource we get from the Earth?

A) Plastic

B) Glass

C) Coal

6. What is the hot, melted rock INSIDE the Earth called?

A) Magma

B) Lava

C) Water

7. Fossils help us learn about...

A) Life in the future

B) Life on other planets

C) Life from long ago

8. Which rock is formed when layers of sand, mud, and shells are pressed together?

A) Igneous

B) Sedimentary

C) Metamorphic

Part 2: True or False

Read each sentence. Circle T for True or F for False.

9. All rocks are the same color and shape. T / F
10. A fossil can be the footprint of a dinosaur. T / F
11. We use rocks to build houses and roads. T / F
12. A fossil is a living animal. T / F
13. Coal, oil, and natural gas are called fossil fuels. T / F
14. Igneous rocks are formed from cooled magma or lava. T / F

Part 3: Match the Words

Draw a line from each word in Column A to its correct meaning in Column B.

Column A (Word) Column B (Meaning)
15. Igneous A scientist who studies fossils.
16. Sedimentary The preserved remains of an ancient plant or animal.
17. Metamorphic Something useful that we get from the Earth.
18. Fossil Rock formed from heat and pressure.
19. Resource Rock formed from cooled lava or magma.
20. Paleontologist Rock formed from layers of sand, mud, and dirt.

Part 4: Think and Answer

Write your answers on the lines. For drawing questions, use the box provided.

1. What is one way we use rocks in our daily lives?
2. What are the three main types of rocks?

1.

2.

3.

3. In your own words, how is a fossil formed?
4. Why are fossils important? What do they teach us?
5. Name two examples of fossils.

1.

2.

6. What is the difference between magma and lava?
7. Draw a picture of a fossil you might find inside a rock (like a shell or a leaf).

Draw here!

8. Look at the diagram below. Label the three main layers of the Earth.

A) Outermost layer:

B) Middle layer:

C) Center:

9. Coal is a resource from the Earth. What is one thing we use it for?
10. If you were a paleontologist, what is one tool you would need? Why?

Answer Key

Part 1: Multiple Choice

  1. B) The preserved remains of ancient life
  2. C) Water
  3. B) In sedimentary rock
  4. A) Paleontologist
  5. C) Coal
  6. A) Magma
  7. C) Life from long ago
  8. B) Sedimentary

Part 2: True or False

  1. F
  2. T
  3. T
  4. F
  5. T
  6. T

Part 3: Match the Words

15. Igneous → Rock formed from cooled lava or magma.

16. Sedimentary → Rock formed from layers of sand, mud, and dirt.

17. Metamorphic → Rock formed from heat and pressure.

18. Fossil → The preserved remains of an ancient plant or animal.

19. Resource → Something useful that we get from the Earth.

20. Paleontologist → A scientist who studies fossils.

Part 4: Think and Answer (Example Answers)

  1. Building houses, making roads, jewelry, countertops.
  2. Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic.
  3. An animal or plant dies and gets covered by mud or sand quickly. Over millions of years, the soft parts rot away and the hard parts (like bones) turn into rock.
  4. They teach us about plants and animals that lived a long time ago.
  5. Dinosaur bones, shells, footprints, leaf imprints.
  6. Magma is melted rock inside the Earth. Lava is melted rock that has come out of a volcano onto the Earth's surface.
  7. (Drawing should show a recognizable fossil shape).
  8. A) Crust, B) Mantle, C) Core.
  9. To create electricity or heat homes.
  10. A brush to gently clean dirt off fossils. A small hammer or pick to carefully chip away rock.
With Worksheets, you can:
  • Reinforce key concepts
  • Provide hands-on practice
  • Customize exercises to fit your needs
  • Track your student's improvement
Try Worksheets Now