ISA Practice Test (Earth Science)

A scientist wants to study how this change in carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere is correlated with temperature change on Earth. It would be best for the scientist to compare the data in the graph above to which of the following?

• a graph showing the annual low temperatures in one city for 1958 through 2011

• a graph showing the annual average global temperatures for 1958 through 2011

• a table showing the average high and low temperatures in various cities in 2011

• a table showing the average high and low temperatures in various cities in 1958

Which of the following predictions about changes in sea level after the year 2010 is best supported by a comparison of the two graphs?

• The global sea level will likely rise between 80 and 120 inches by 2100.

• The global sea level will likely decrease between 20 and 30 inches by 2100.

• The global sea level will likely decrease between 5 and 10 inches by 2100.

• The global sea level will likely rise between 10 and 50 inches by 2100.

Which statement accurately describes an example of how human activity that alters the biosphere can positively impact the geosphere?

• A city filters its wastewater to prevent pollution from affecting aquatic lifeforms that live downstream.

• Traffic noise from a new highway causes a certain species of bird to relocate to a new habitat.

• A gardener uses too much fertilizer, destroying microorganisms and leading to infertile soil in his garden.

• An arborist plants trees in a new housing development to reduce soil erosion during periods of rain.

Which of the following best explains why the net carbon output to the atmosphere was 4 GtC in 2007?

• The biosphere output 12 GtC to the atmosphere, but the hydrosphere and geosphere each took up only 4 GtC from the atmosphere.

• The biosphere output 120 GtC to the atmosphere, but the geosphere and hydrosphere took up a net total of only 116 GtC from the atmosphere.

• Human activity output 9 GtC to the atmosphere, but the biosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere took up a net total of only 5 GtC from the atmosphere.

• Human activity output 14 GtC to the atmosphere, but the hydrosphere and biosphere each took up only 5 GtC from the atmosphere.

Scientific evidence indicates that there was a rise in temperature in the North Atlantic region that began around the year 950 and lasted for several hundred years. This period of time is called the Medieval Warm Period. During the Medieval Warm Period, migration of people from Northern Europe to Greenland increased. Which factor most likely contributed to this increase in human migration?

• Sailing across the northern Atlantic Ocean was more dangerous because floating ice became thicker.

• Walking across the northern Atlantic Ocean became possible because the ocean froze.

• Walking across the northern Atlantic Ocean became possible because the ocean evaporated.

• Sailing across the northern Atlantic Ocean was safer because floating ice melted.

Air pollution from the combustion of fossil fuels can lead to an increased occurrence of acid rain. If acid rain causes the water in a stream to become more acidic, what is the most likely effect on the geology of the stream bed?

• The rocks in the stream bed weather at a slower rate.

• The population of fish in the stream decreases.

• The population of fish in the stream increases.

• The rocks in the stream bed weather at a faster rate.

Which best describes what the image shows?

• The Earth's orbit is elliptical, and X points to one focus of its orbit.

• The Earth's orbit has an eccentricity of zero, and X points to one focus of its orbit.

• The Earth's orbit is circular, and X represents its perihelion.

• The Earth's orbit changes shape, and X represents its aphelion.

Which prediction is best supported by this information?

• Over millions of years, the depth of the Kermadec Trench could increase if continental landmasses move away from the Indo-Australian plate.

• Over millions of years, the depth of the Kermadec Trench could decrease if continental landmasses move closer to the Pacific plate.

• Over hundreds of years, the depth of the Kermadec Trench will increase as the ascending Indo-Australian plate buckles and folds against the Pacific plate.

• Over hundreds of years, the depth of the Kermadec Trench will increase as the subducting Pacific plate scrapes sediments off of the Indo-Australian plate.

What does the output suggest about the change of heat flow to the Earth's surface after a large volcanic eruption?

• A large volcanic eruption increases the amount of heat reaching the Earth's surface, and this effect is intensified during years 5 to 10 after the eruption.

• A large volcanic eruption decreases the amount of heat reaching the Earth's surface, and this effect is intensified during years 5 to 10 after the eruption.

• The increase in atmospheric SO₂ increases the amount of the Sun's energy that reaches the Earth's surface, and this occurs globally for up to 10 years after an eruption.

• The increase in atmospheric SO₂ decreases the amount of the Sun's energy that reaches the Earth's surface, and this occurs globally for at least 10 years after an eruption.

The oldest rock sample found on Earth dates back to around 4.4 billion years ago, while the oldest meteorite dates back to 3.9 billion years ago. Based on this information, which statement is true about Earth's age?

• Earth formed exactly 4.4 billion years ago.

• Earth formed around 3.9 billion years ago.

• Earth formed more than 4.4 billion years ago.

• Earth formed between 3.9 to 4.4 billion years ago.