Question

How does the fossil record corroborate phylogenetic hypotheses?

Answer 1

The correct answer is: Events that occur early in the fossil record are represented by branching events nearer to the root of a phylogenetic tree.  

Fossil records explain the history and evolution of life based on fossils. Fossils are remains of organisms preserved in sedimentary rock. In fossil records they are analyzed and arranged chronologically and in taxonomic order, so that can represent the evolution.

Phylogenies describes the relationships between organisms (species): from which organisms it is evolved, to which species it is most closely related etc. and it is represented as a diagram or phylogenetic tree. It is used to organize living organisms into specific categories. Characteristics of fossils are used to generate a phylogenetic tree, more precisely their roots that represent common ancestors.