8th Grade Earth Science PSSA Review

On the map above, which point represents the location of Medicine Bow, Wyoming (42° N, 106° W).

• A

• B

• C

• None of the above

Surface winds on Earth are primarily caused by differences in

• air density due to unequal heating of Earth’s surface.

• ocean wave heights during the tidal cycle.

• rotational speeds of Earth’s surface at various latitudes.

• distances from the Sun during the year.

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The density of Earth’s crust is

• less than the density of the outer core, but greater than the density of the mantle.

• greater than the density of the outer core, but less than the density of the mantle.

• less than the density of both the outer core and the mantle.

• greater than the density of both the outer core and the mantle.

In addition to oxygen, which gases make up the largest percentage of Earth’s atmosphere?

• hydrogen, helium, and water vapor

• hydrogen, methane, and ozone

• carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen

• carbon dioxide, methane, and helium

In which type of rock is the fossil imprint of a fern leaf most likely to be found?

• igneous

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

• volcanic

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Match the topographic map to its profile.

• 
• 
• 
• 

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The surface of Earth is covered mostly by ________________________.

• (a) solid rock

• (b) molten rock

• (c) ice

• (d) water

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The picture shows a geological feature in the Kalahari Desert of southwestern Africa. Which process most likely produced the present appearance of this feature?

• (a) wind erosion

• (b) volcanic eruption

• (c) earthquake vibrations

• (d) plate tectonics

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A deformed rock structure like the one pictured is most often caused by

• (a) crustal plate collisions.

• (b) deposition of sediments.

• (c) extrusion of magma.

• (d) glacial movement.

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The diagram shows a method for determining a physical property of a mineral. The results are shown for two minerals, galena and calcite. Which property of the galena and calcite is indicated by the color of the powder each leaves on the ceramic tile?

• (a) streak

• (b) hardness

• (c) reaction to an acid

• (d) reaction to a solvent

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