Which term denotes the preserved remains used to study ancient life?

• A. Adaptation
• B. Scientific theory
• C. Fossil
• D. Natural selection

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is identifying the term for preserved remains scientists study to learn about ancient life. A fossil is any preserved remnant or trace of an organism from the distant past—think bones, shells, teeth, imprints in rock, or even footprints and amber-encased materials. Fossils provide direct physical evidence that lets us infer what organisms looked like, how they lived, and how life has changed over time, helping us reconstruct past ecosystems and evolutionary relationships.

The other terms describe processes or concepts rather than preserved remains. Adaptation refers to a trait that helps an organism survive or reproduce, natural selection is the mechanism by which advantageous traits become more common in a population, and a scientific theory is a well-supported explanation of phenomena. None of these denote preserved remains.