Unit 4 Review: Earth Science

The amount of rainfall in the United States varies from region to region. Which of these regions

receives the most rainfall in a year?

• Central Plains

• Pacific Northwest

• Eastern United States

• Southwestern United States

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Which type of feature can form when water weathers and erodes layers of rock?

• sand dunes, because ocean currents deposit layers of sand

• mid-ocean ridges, because water comes in contact with layers of rock

• fossils, which form skeletons that are trapped in layers of rock underwater

• canyons, because rivers break down layers of rock and carry sediments away

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Sarah put four small rocks into a jar of water. She shook the jar very hard for several minutes. When

she looked at the jar, she saw the four rocks plus little pieces of sand in the water. What can she

conclude from her observations?

• water can melt rocks

• water can form rocks

• water can harden rocks

• water can weather rocks

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What can scientists measure to help predict when a volcano might erupt?

• temperature of air

• increases in severe weather

• lengths of nearby fault lines

• small earthquakes and gases in the air near the volcano

A student soaked a piece of modeling clay in water. She put the clay in the freezer. After several

hours, she took the clay out of the freezer and observed cracks in the clay. What was the student

investigating?

• erosion by ice

• deposition by ice

• weathering by ice

• liquefaction by ice

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How can a farmer use living things to slow the rate of erosion on a sloping field?

• Plant crops in rows that allow water to run straight downhill.

• Plant crops with shallow roots to better hold the soil in place.

• Dig gullies at the bottom of the slope and plant crops in them.

• Plant crops in rows that block water from running straight downhill.

Engineers test models of new designs to identify how a design might fail. Why is it important to

gather this information?

• It shows that a design will never work.

• It shows that a design is the best it can be.

• It shows the best way to improve a design.

• It shows the parts of a design that need to be improved.

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You are hiking through a U-shaped valley. There are boulders in the valley that are scraped smooth.

What can you infer about the geologic history of the valley?

• The valley was carved by a glacier.

• The valley sits on a mid-ocean ridge.

• The valley was formed by earthquakes.

• The valley experienced heavy volcanic activity.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The table shows the layers of rocks found in a canyon. The layers are listed in order from top to bottom.

Kind of Rock (Fossils in Layer)

Layer A sandstone (Tortoises)

Layer B Mudstone (big trees)

Layer C Limestone (fish)

Layer D Igneous Rock & ash (none)

Which rocks are the youngest in the canyon? How do you know.

• Layer C is the youngest. The youngest layer of sedimentary rock is usually on top.

• Layer A is the youngest. The youngest layer of sedimentary rock is usually on top.

• Layer B is the youngest. The youngest layer of sedimentary rock is usually on top.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

The table shows the layers of rocks found in a canyon. The layers are listed in order from top to bottom.

Kind of Rock (Fossils in Layer)

Layer A sandstone (Tortoises)

Layer B Mudstone (big trees)

Layer C Limestone (fish)

Layer D Igneous Rock & ash (none)

Was the land dry or covered with water when layer C formed? How can you tell?

• Dry because Fish live on water.

• Covered in water. Fish live in water.

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