Earth Systems

Earth's water travels through a continuous cycle, moving between the geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere. A partial concept map for the cycling of water in the Earth system is provided.

Which letter demonstrates precipitation?

• W

• X

• Y

• Z

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which of the following processes contributes most to the movement of water from land to the atmosphere?

• Evaporation

• Precipitation

• Condensation

• Crystallization

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which gas makes up 78 percent of our atmosphere but can be used by plants only when transformed by bacteria first?

• nitrogen

• oxygen

• hydrogen

• carbon dioxide

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Which of the following is one of the largest carbon reservoirs on Earth?

• limestone

• fossil fuels

• Amazon rain forest

• Atlantic Ocean

Where is most of the fresh water on Earth located?

• in reservoirs and lakes

• in ice caps and glaciers

• in oceans

• in streams and tributaries

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which item is a carbon sink?

• carbon in the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide

• consumers breaking down carbohydrates into carbon dioxide during respiration

• carbon found within limestone rocks

• carbon dioxide being converted into carbohydrates during photosynthesis

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

What is the relationship between groundwater and surface water?

• Surface water percolates through the soil to form groundwater.

• There is no relationship between surface and groundwater; they form independently.

• Groundwater filters through the soil to form surface water.

• Surface water is found in lakes directly above underground water sources.

The energy in most ecosystems comes from what source?

• green plants.

• the Sun.

• wind.

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The carbon cycle is shown in the diagram below.

From this information, which statement correctly describes a step in the carbon cycle?

• Photosynthesis adds carbon directly to the lithosphere.

• Plant respiration adds carbon directly to the atmosphere.

• Burning fossil fuels removes carbon directly from the biosphere.

• Animal respiration removes carbon directly from the atmosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The diagram below illustrates the movement of carbon between Earth and the atmosphere.

Which of these contributors will transfer the greatest amount of carbon into the atmosphere while reabsorbing the least amount of carbon from the atmosphere?

• the ocean

• changing land use

• vegetation and soil

• fossil fuels and industry

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-6

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5