Big Idea 7 Practice Test

Two towns have about the same latitude and elevation. One town is on the coast and the other is far inland. How would the summer weather of the inland town most likely be different from the summer weather in the coastal town?

• higher temperatures and experience more rainfall

• lower temperatures and experience more rainfall

• higher temperatures and experience less rainfall

• lower temperatures and experience less rainfall

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Joel and Caleb were brainstorming ideas for an upcoming science fair weather project. They narrowed their focus to the topic of precipitation in the form of snow. Which question would they NOT be able to test with an investigation?

• How much precipitation fell during the snowstorm?

• How much pressure is in the air during the snowstorm?

• How happy will the children be during a snowstorm?

• How many miles an hour did the wind blow during the snowstorm?

Answer explanation

Remember, science investigations needs to be based upon measurable outcomes. There cannot be any opinion in a science investigation.

In the map below, the regions labeled with the * have an extremely cold, dry climate.

What is the most likely reason for the climate of these regions?

• These regions are farthest from the equator and receive the least sunlight.

• These regions have the least land mass.

• These regions are farthest from the equator and receive the most sunlight.

• These regions have the most coastal area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

In what state of water is a cloud?

• cumulonimbus

• liquid

• gas

• precipitation

Answer explanation

The water that makes up clouds is in liquid form. The air around us is partially made up of invisible water vapor. It's only when that water vapor cools and condenses into liquid water droplets or solid ice crystals that visible clouds form.

Jaelyn is climbing down the side of a mountain found away from a large body of water. What is true about the temperature and precipitation on this side of the mountain as he climbs down?

• precipitation is less likely and the temperature will decrease

• precipitation is more likely and the temperature will decrease

• precipitation is less likely and the temperature will increase

• precipitation is more likely and the temperature will increase

Answer explanation

The windward side of the mountain faces the wind. The leeward side is the side of the mountain that is downwind. There is less wind on this side because it is blocked by the mountain on the other side. The leeward side of a mountain is usually dry compared to the windward side.

The leeward side typically has a dry, warm climate. This is because by the time air rises up the windward side and reaches the summit, it has already been stripped of the majority of its moisture.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

A weather report predicts that it will be a cloudy, wet day. What weather condition most likely caused the meteorologist to predict this weather?

• no precipitation

• high air pressure

• low humidity

• low air pressure

Answer explanation

When a low-pressure system moves into an area, it usually leads to cloudiness, wind, and precipitation. High-pressure systems usually lead to fair, calm weather.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The table below shows weather conditions during part of the week.

Study the table of daily weather conditions. On which day would a thunderstorm MOST LIKELY have occurred?

• Monday

• Tuesday

• Wednesday

• Thursday

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

How would a drop of water most likely travel from the Atlantic Ocean to a lake near your house?

• By flooding and flowing over the land and into the lake.

• By seeping down into the sand, traveling through the ground water and coming up in the bottom of the

  lake.

• By evaporating from the ocean, condensing to form a cloud, being blown by the wind, and then falling as

  precipitation into the lake.

• By flowing up a river that joins with the lake.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A model for the water cycle is shown below.

How do the ice cubes help this water cycle model function?

• to cool the water to cause evaporation

• to cool the water vapor to cause condensation

• to heat the water to cause evaporation

• to heat the water vapor to cause condensation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

At what stage in the water cycle does the water return to the surface of the Earth?

• vapor formation

• condensation

• precipitation

• evaporation

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4