Earth Science I · History and Evolution of Earth and Life
Virginia SOL ES.9
Virginia SOL ES.9 is part of the History and Evolution of Earth and Life strand in Earth Science I (Science). Under this Standards of Learning objective, students investigate and understand aspects of Earth's history and evolution through rocks and fossils. Below is what ES.9 covers in plain language, the specific skills it is assessed on, the key concepts to review, and how to practice ES.9 for the Virginia SOL test.
What SOL ES.9 means
Investigate and understand aspects of Earth's history and evolution through rocks and fossils.
Practice Earth Science I SOL questions
Free Earth Science I questions from official Virginia Department of Education released SOL tests — good practice while you work on ES.9 and the rest of the course. Pick an answer to check it instantly, or open “Show answer” to review.
1. Scientists use volcano and earthquake activity to establish —
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Answer: A — plate boundaries
2. Slate is commonly used for roofing shingles because —
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Answer: A — it can be split into thin, flat layers
3. Which property refers to the colored powder produced when a mineral is rubbed on a harder surface?
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Answer: D — Streak
4. Metamorphic rocks whose minerals are arranged in layers or bands are called —
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Answer: D — foliated
Skills you’ll practice for ES.9
- Identify traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life preserved in sedimentary rocks.
- Apply superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay as methods of dating rocks and Earth events.
- Compare absolute (radiometric) and relative dating methods and their applications.
- Identify rocks and fossils from different geologic periods and epochs found in Virginia.
Key concepts covered by ES.9
- fossilization
- sedimentary rocks
- paleontology
- extinct life
- relative dating
- absolute dating
- radiometric dating
- stratigraphy
- geological time
- dating methods
- Virginia geology
- geological periods
- fossil record
- stratigraphic correlation
How to study and practice SOL ES.9
Start with a quick diagnostic to see whether ES.9 is already solid, then work each skill above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see our Virginia SOL practice tests guide and how to study for the SOL test.
Frequently asked questions about SOL ES.9
What is Virginia SOL ES.9?
SOL ES.9 is a Earth Science I Standard of Learning in the History and Evolution of Earth and Life strand. It expects students to investigate and understand aspects of Earth's history and evolution through rocks and fossils.
What skills does SOL ES.9 cover?
SOL ES.9 is assessed on 4 skills: identify traces and remains of ancient, often extinct, life preserved in sedimentary rocks; apply superposition, cross-cutting relationships, index fossils, and radioactive decay as methods of dating rocks and Earth events; compare absolute (radiometric) and relative dating methods and their applications; identify rocks and fossils from different geologic periods and epochs found in Virginia.
What strand of Earth Science I is SOL ES.9 in?
SOL ES.9 belongs to the History and Evolution of Earth and Life reporting strand of the Earth Science I Virginia Standards of Learning.
How do I study and practice for SOL ES.9?
Start with a diagnostic to see whether ES.9 is already solid, then work the 4 skills above with guided notes, flashcards, and SOL-style practice questions. For official released items, see the Virginia SOL practice tests guide.