STAAR Category 3: Earth and Space

The satellite photograph shows geological features, including a glacier.

As the glacier melts, water travels toward the ocean along the geological feature labeled X. When water erodes soil along this feature, the feature will most likely become —

• straight

• dry

• shorter

• wider

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Students make a model using a globe and a flashlight.

Which answer choice best explains the change from daytime to nighttime on Earth?

• The sun stops sending light to Earth at night.

• Earth moves farther away from the sun at night.

• The tilt of Earth causes less light to reach Earth at night.

• Earth rotates and causes different parts of Earth to experience night.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

This picture shows scratches in bedrock that were caused by a moving glacier. These scratches are called glacial striations.

Glacial striations in the bedrock of South Africa indicate that glaciers once moved across the African continent. The presence of glaciers on the surface of Africa is evidence that —

• the tectonic plate under Africa was closer to the South Pole at one time

• the equator was not always where it is currently located

• volcanoes did not exist until after faults occurred in Earth’s crust

• the location of the North Pole and the South Pole changed

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram models four lunar phases.

During which lunar phase is the tide highest?

• Phase 1

• Phase 2

• Phase 3

• Phase 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

The Hertzsprung-Russell diagram shown is divided into four sections.

Which section of the diagram includes the coolest, brightest stars?

• Section 1

• Section 2

• Section 3

• Section 4

The temperature of a star determines the wavelength of visible light that is produced. The visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum is shown.

Stars with the highest temperatures will emit most of their light at wavelengths that are near —

• red light

• orange light

• green light

• blue light

An image of the Earth-moon-sun system is shown.

The moon remains in orbit around Earth because of the force of —

• Earth’s rotation

• the moon’s rotation

• Earth’s gravity

• the sun’s gravity

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-2

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Students recorded the dates in May on which they observed a full moon and a last quarter moon.

On which date will they most likely be able to observe a new moon?

• May 13

• May 18

• May 25

• May 31

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

Major surface currents of the ocean are shown in the diagram.

Ocean currents affect weather patterns by —

• regulating when tides occur in coastal areas

• trapping heat at the equator to regulate the global climate

• distributing heat from the uneven absorption of solar energy

• increasing the rate of evaporation to transport water to areas experiencing droughts

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A topographic map provides details about Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park. A radio tower on Emory Peak is indicated.

Based on the topographic map, if a park ranger hiked due west from the radio tower, the ranger’s path would —

• cross a canyon with a river running through it

• cross another peak in the park

• be flat and then go up a steep slope

• go down a steep slope and then become flatter

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2