2019 Grade 8 STE MCAS Review

Which of the following most likely causes Earth's inner core to be a solid?

• The pressure at the core is very high.

• The metals in the core are very heavy.

• The temperature of the core is very low.

The diagrams represent different ways heat is transferred. The arrows in the diagrams show the direction of heat transfer.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-3

The paths of two air masses, X and Y, are shown in the diagram. Air mass X is a cold air mass. Air mass Y is a warm air mass. When the air masses meet, winter storms may be produced.

Which of the following most likely contributes to the formation of these storms?

• Cold air mass X moves over warm air mass Y, and evaporation occurs.

• Warm air mass Y moves over cold air mass X, and condensation occurs.

• Cold air mass X mixes with warm air mass Y, and the overall temperature increases.

• Warm air mass Y mixes with cold air mass X, and the overall temperature decreases.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

The map shows the locations of two cities. City Y is near the coast, and city Z is near the middle of a continent. The cities have the same elevation.

Based on the map, which of the following statements describes how the climates of the two cities are most likely different?

• City Y receives less rain than city Z.

• City Y has colder winters than city Z.

• City Y has cooler summers than city Z.

• City Y receives more sunlight than city Z.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Just before sunset, a student recorded the temperature of the air and the soil at the same location. The student found that the air and the soil had the same temperature. Which of the following statements describes how the air and soil temperatures most likely changed after sunset on that day?

• The soil temperature increased more quickly than the air temperature.

• The air temperature increased more quickly than the soil temperature.

• The soil temperature decreased more quickly than the air temperature.

• The air temperature decreased more quickley than the soil temperature.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Warm air masses that rise over Earth’s equator move north or south. This movement is primarily the result of which of the following processes?

• conduction

• convection

• insulation

• radiation

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following diagrams shows the motion of two continental plates that will most likely form a mountain range over time?

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The pictures below show the estimated locations of landmasses on Earth 225 million years ago and their present day locations.

Which of the following processes caused the breakup and relocation of the land masses over time?

• tectonic plate motion

• strong ocean currents

• erosion and sedimentation

• volcanic eruptions and weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

The “Ring of Fire” is a long chain of volcanoes that encircles the Pacific Ocean. Which of the following is the best explanation for the arrangement of these volcanoes?

• They outline the crater caused by the impact of an asteroid.

• They follow the shape of the adjacent tectonic plates under the sea.

• One volcano usually triggers a second volcano with its hot magma.

• Volcanoes always form in rings because of underwater convection currents.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Many natural rock formations change color over time. In Utah, for example, iron oxidized and formed red, orange, and yellow rock.

Which of the following is the cause of this change?

• chemical weathering

• mechanical weathering

• water erosion

• wind erosion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2