Final answer:
The correct order of eras, from most ancient to most recent, along the geological time scale is D. Precambrian era, A. Paleozoic era, B. Mesozoic era, and C. Cenozoic era.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct chronological order of geological eras from the oldest to the newest is Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. The Precambrian encompasses three eons and precedes the Phanerozoic eon, which is divided into the Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. The Paleozoic era, known for the "old life," lasted from 541 to 252 million years ago and includes the Cambrian explosion and ends with the massive Permian extinction. The Mesozoic era, also called the "age of dinosaurs," spanned from 252 to 66 million years ago. The Cenozoic era, which follows, is the current era representing the "new life" and continues from 66 million years ago to the present.