Q: What is the missing first step of the following process:  -  The remains of the plant are buried very fast in sediment - The soft parts of the plant decay - The hard parts of the plant are replaced with minerals - The sediment turns into rock - The rock erodes - The fossil appears on the surface of the ground.
A: A plant dies

Q: What is the missing first step of the following process:  -  The fire surrounds the vicinity - The animals are trapped - Those that survive have their habitat destroyed - The survivors must find a new habitat - Conflict with other animals occur.
A: A forest fire starts

Q: What is the missing first step of the following process:  -  The waves contain sediment from the ocean - The water and particles in it hit rocks and sand on the beach - The wind and current sometimes push the water and particles harder - Tiny parts of the rocks on the shore come off the larger rocks - The waves pick up sand and small rocks from the beach - The waves go back out into the ocean - The waves carry the new particles with them - Rocks and the beach look a little different.
A: Water from the ocean washes onto beaches in waves

Q: What is the missing first step of the following process:  -  A signal is sent to the heating system - Heating oil travels from the tank to the burner - The oil becomes a fine mist mixed with air - The oil/air combination is injected into the burner - The burner is ignited in the combustion chamber - The furnace heats the air - The blower sends the heated air through the ducts - The heated air comes out the vents and into the room.
A: