ES-Jun 2015 Q21-30

The cross sections below represent three beakers that were used to test porosity. Beakers A, B, and C each contain a different size of bead. Each beaker holds an equal volume of beads. The amount of water needed to fill the total pore space between the beads in each beaker was measured.
Which statement best describes the porosity that was found for these three samples?

• A had a greater porosity than B and C.
• B had a greater porosity than A and C.
• C had a greater porosity than A and B.
• All three samples had the same porosity

Which graph best indicates the general relationship between soil particle size and the amount of water retention by a permeable soil?

• graph 1 
• graph 2 
• graph 3 
• graph 4 

The cross section below represents surface bedrock where faulting has occurred along line AB.
When could this faulting have occurred?

• before the Ordovician rocks were deposited
• during the Ordovician period
• before the Cambrian rocks were deposited
• during the Cambrian period

The two block diagrams below represent the formation of caves.
Which types of weathering and erosion are primarily responsible for the formation of caves?

• chemical weathering and groundwater flow
• chemical weathering and runoff
• physical weathering and groundwater flow
•  physical weathering and runoff

The cross section below represents several rock units within Earth’s crust. Letter A represents Earth’s surface. Letters B, C, and D indicate boundaries between rock units. One of the unconformities is labeled.
Which lettered boundary is most likely another unconformity?

• A
• B
• C
• D

The map below shows the distribution of ash across the United States as a result of the May 18, 1980 volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Volcanic ash deposits such as these are usually excellent geologic time markers because they

• occur at regular time intervals
• spread over a large area in a short amount of time
• represent a time gap in the rock record
• contain index fossils from different time periods

Which diagram represents a side view of a sand dune most commonly formed as a result of the prevailing wind direction shown?

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

The map below indicates an air-pressure field over North America. Isobar values are recorded in millibars.
At which city was the greatest wind speed occurring?

• Boise
•  Denver
• Kansas City
• Austin

 The striped areas on the map below show regions along the Great Lakes that often receive large amounts of snowfall due to lake-effect storms.
These storms generally develop when

• cold air moves to the east over warmer lake water
• cold air moves to the west over warmer land regions
• warm air moves to the east over colder lake water
• warm air moves to the west over colder land regions

The graph below shows the heating effect that different land uses have on surface air temperatures on a summer afternoon.
Which land use results in the least heating effect in urban areas?

• commercial
• downtown
• residential
• parks