ES-Jun 2016 Q41-50

The diagram represents the apparent path of the Sun across the sky at a New York State location on June 21. Point A represents the position of the noon Sun. Points A and B on the path are 45 degrees apart.
Compared to the Sun’s apparent path on June 21, the Sun’s apparent path on December 21 at this location will

• be shorter, and the noon Sun will be lower in the sky
• be longer, and the noon Sun will be higher in the sky
• remain the same length, and the noon Sun will be lower in the sky
• remain the same length, and the noon Sun will be higher in the sky

The diagram represents the apparent path of the Sun across the sky at a New York State location on June 21. Point A represents the position of the noon Sun. Points A and B on the path are 45 degrees apart.
Which diagram represents the correct position of Polaris as viewed from this New York State location on a clear night?

• diagram 1
• diagram 2
• diagram 3
• diagram 4

Base your answers to questions 3 and 4 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the water cycle. Letters A through C represent different processes in the water cycle.
In order for process A to occur, liquid water must

• gain 334 Joules per gram
•  gain 2260 Joules per gram
• lose 334 Joules per gram
• lose 2260 Joules per gram

Base your answers to questions 3 and 4 on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the water cycle. Letters A through C represent different processes in the water cycle.
Which process is represented by letter B?

• capillarity
• transpiration
• infiltration
• precipitation

Base your answers to questions 5 through 7 on the photograph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The photograph shows a small waterfall located on the Tug Hill Plateau.
During which geologic time period was the surface bedrock at this location formed?

• Cretaceous
• Triassic
• Devonian
• Ordovician

Base your answers to questions 5 through 7 on the photograph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The photograph shows a small waterfall located on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Compared to the bedrock layers above and below the rock ledge shown at the waterfall, the characteristic that is primarily responsible for the existence of the rock ledge is its greater

• resistance to weathering
• abundance of fossils
• thickness
•  age

Base your answers to questions 5 through 7 on the photograph below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The photograph shows a small waterfall located on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Rock fragments that are tumbled and carried over long distances by this stream are most likely becoming

• less dense, harder, and smaller
•  less rounded, jagged, and larger
• more dense, angular, and smaller
• more rounded, smoother, and smaller

Base your answers to questions 8 through 10 on the rock columns below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The rock columns represent four widely separated locations, W, X, Y, and Z. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent fossils. The rock layers have not been overturned.
Which numbered fossil best represents an index fossil?

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Base your answers to questions 8 through 10 on the rock columns below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The rock columns represent four widely separated locations, W, X, Y, and Z. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent fossils. The rock layers have not been overturned.
Which rock layer is the oldest?

• tan sandstone
• gray limestone
• green shale
• black shale

Base your answers to questions 8 through 10 on the rock columns below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The rock columns represent four widely separated locations, W, X, Y, and Z. Numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 represent fossils. The rock layers have not been overturned.
Which rock layer formed from the deposition of land-derived sediments that had a uniform particle size of about 0.01 cm in diameter?

• brown siltstone
• black shale
• gray conglomerate
• red sandstone