Ecosystems 4

The polar jet stream is an air current that flows across North America. It flows much faster in winter than it does in summer. Why is it faster in the winter?

• Northern air has more oxygen in winter.

• Northern air is warmer in winter.

• Northern air is colder in winter.

• Northern air is drier in winter.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which correctly compares low- and high-pressure weather systems?

• A low-pressure system usually brings cool dry air and clear skies, while a high-pressure system brings clouds and precipitation.

• A low-pressure system usually brings clouds and precipitation, while a high-pressure system brings cool dry air and clear skies.

• A low-pressure system usually brings warm dry air and clear skies, while a high-pressure system usually brings warm moist air and precipitation.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which is true of the seasonal weather patterns of places that are at the same latitude?

• They have the same wind patterns.

• They have the same amount of rain.

• They have the same intensity of sunlight.

• They have the same kinds of severe weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which is the best explanation for how air masses move across the United States?

• The prevailing westerlies move air masses from west to east across the United States but may be deflected by the jet stream.

• The trade winds move air masses from west to east across the United States.

• The jet stream moves air masses from the Pacific Ocean across the United States.

• The warm air of the Gulf Stream causes air masses to move from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Jason’s table shows weather conditions for an area for the four seasons of one year. It rains more in the spring than in the fall in this area.

The data in the table are NOT in order by season. Column 2 is winter. Which sequence below places the columns in order by season?

• 2 4 1 3

• 2 3 4 2

• 2 1 3 4

• 2 4 3 1

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The diagram below shows a stream food web. The number of stonefly nymphs in a large stream increased over the last year. How will this MOST likely affect this food web?

• The brook trout population will increase, and the fly larva will decrease.

• The fly larva population will increase, and mayfly nymph population will decrease.

• The kingfisher population will decrease, and the brook trout population will increase.

• The mayfly nymph population will decrease, and the algae population will increase.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Mangrove trees are common in wetlands. Which condition MOST likely keeps mangrove trees from growing in deserts?

• The ground is too dry.

• The winds are too strong.

• The air gets too cold at night.

• There is too much light during the day.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Numbers of Florida scrub jays have recently been decreasing throughout Florida. Which is the MOST likely reason for smaller populations of Florida Scrub Jays?

• habitat loss

• fewer predators

• more eggs hatching

• new food sources available

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Which pair of organisms benefits each other the MOST?

• birds building a nest in a bush

• worms eating the roots of a plant

• squirrels burying seeds from a tree

• deer scraping their antlers on a tree

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

A squirrel gathering nuts helps trees

• grow.

• reproduce.

• resist disease.

• become stronger.