Science Benchmark #1

Why would scientists MOST LIKELY want to predict the likelihood of a volcanic eruption?

• To estimate the amount of lava that will flow

• To protect nearby houses and buildings

• To study weather changes

• To warn people who live nearby

A dam constructed on a river can store large amounts of water behind it. Which of these describes another reason for building a dam?

• Dams help prevent forest fires

• Dams help prevent floods near rivers.

• Dams help prevent erosion along riverbanks.

• Dams help prevent pollution from getting into rivers.

The table shows data collected by a scientist about two geologic processes. Use the table to answer the question below. Which processes are MOST LIKELY described in the table?

• Process 1 is a volcanic eruption, and Process 2 is deposition

• Process 1 is deposition, and Process 2 is a volcanic eruption.

• Process 1 is a volcanic eruption, and Process 2 is an earthquake.

• Process 1 is an earthquake, and Process 2 is a volcanic eruption.

A student went to a river in the mountains and observed that some rocks were smooth and round, while others were rough and jagged. she noticed that the rocks were all made from the same type of mineral. Which of these BEST explains the student's observations?

• The rough, jagged rocks are from a volcanic eruption far away.

• The rough, jagged rocks were blown into the water by wind erosion.

• The smooth, round rocks are much newer than the rough, jagged rocks.

• The smooth, round rocks have been weathered longer than the rough, jagged rocks.

Which constructive creation is being described below? Tidal currents make small deposits at the mouth of a river.

• deltas

• glacial retreat

• submerged coasts

• weathering

In many places, sand is being pumped from the sea floor onto the beaches. Why is there a need to put sand on beaches?

• Old, dirty sand has to be replaced.

• The sand on the beaches wear out.

• Too much sand is piled into sand dunes.

• Wave action causes erosion of the sand.

What causes the muddy areas that are usually found at the mouths of large rivers?

• decayed vegetable matter

• underwater volcanoes

• soil erosion upstream

• mountain building

Moving water was the most important factor in forming which of these?

• the Grand Canyon

• Mount St. Helens Volcano

• the Rocky Mountains

• San Andreas Fault

When an area of Earth's surface suddenly moves, a seismograph draws wavy lines. Which of the following MOST LIKELY happened?

• a volcanic eruption

• a thunderstorm

• a nuclear explosion

• an earthquake

Your teacher tells you to bring an item to class that shows evidence of erosion. Which of the following would be the BEST to bring?

• a crystal from the inside of a geode

• a piece of lava from a volcanic area

• a piece of slate from a slate quarry

• a round rock from a streambed