Earth's History and Structure

Which of these provides the BEST evidence that an environmental change has occurred?

• a freshwater lake in the mountains

• saltwater clams in the ocean

• marine fossils in a freshwater lake

• a sandy beach next to the ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which transition is MOST responsible for gaps in the fossil record?

• metamorphic rock to igneous rock

• igneous rock to metamorphic rock

• metamorphic rock to sedimentary rock

• sedimentary rock to metamorphic rock

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Rich beds of marine fossils have been found in Florida. By dating these fossils, scientists can BESTdetermine

• when Florida collided with the North American continent.

• when Florida collided with the North American continent.

• the period during which Florida was covered in water.

• when the atmosphere of Earth was more humid than it is today.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

In order for boulders to become sediments, the boulders must first be

• heated and melted.

• weathered and eroded.

• weathered and eroded.

• buried.

A scientist finds a metamorphic rock formation next to a magma chamber and determines that it was originally a sedimentary rock formation. He concludes that the temperature of the magma chamber caused the rock formation to become metamorphic. Which is another reliable explanation of how the rock formation was changed?

• weight of heavy machinery moving over the rocks

• pressure on the rock formation inside Earth

• a sandstorm that caused the rocks to be eroded

• a quick burial of the rocks by tons of volcanic ash

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

In order for magma to be converted to igneous rock, which actions must occur?

• melting and cooling

• heating and pressure

• weathering and erosion

• crystallization and cooling

A student is visiting a local limestone quarry and finds fossils of seashells. The quarry is located hundreds of miles from the ocean. The fossils BEST indicate that

x

• this area was once below sea level.

• global temperature changed over time.

• erosion took place after a flood.

• erosion took place after a flood.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Petrified palm trees are found in sedimentary rock near glaciers. The presence of the petrified palm trees MOST likely provides evidence for which statement?

• There was once more water in the area.

• The area was once grassland.

• The climate in the area was once tropical.

• There are active faults in the area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Some scientists believe that the mass extinction of dinosaurs was caused by the impact of a large meteorite on Earth. This impact would have caused a darkening of the sky due to dust blown into the upper atmosphere. This darkening would have reduced the sizes of some ecosystems because of

• longer seasons.

• longer seasons.

• reduced photosynthesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

A large number of species on Earth became extinct during a short time period about 65 million years ago. Based on this pattern of extinction, which is the MOST likely cause?

• gradual climate change

• continued climate stability

• gradual ecosystem succession

• sudden global climate change

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-1