8th Grade Unit 3 CA 23-24

James, Scarlett, and Liam are studying geology and come across an igneous rock. They wonder what processes must occur to change this igneous rock into sediment. What do they need to consider?

• weathering, transportation, and deposition

• heat and pressure

• cooling and solidification

• cementation and compaction

Abigail, Evelyn, and Sophia are studying geology and discussing the differences between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere. Which statement correctly describes the comparison between the two?

• The asthenosphere is a thin layer that sits on top of the lithosphere.

• The asthenosphere is part of the crust, and the lithosphere is part of the mantle.

• The lithosphere is brittle and rigid, and the asthenosphere is plastic-like and flowing.

• The lithosphere is a layer of flowing hot magma that supports the solid thin layer of the asthenosphere.

While studying the Theory of Continental Drift, William and Priya came across a statement that supports the theory. Which statement did they find?

• Continents move due to changes in the tilt of the Earth's axis.

• Continents move due to changes in the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

• Present-day continents of South America and Africa are moving toward each other.

• Present-day continents of South America and Africa once fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Elijah, Ethan, and James are discussing the theory of plate tectonics, which states that Earth's plates are always in motion. They want to know what geological evidence supports this statement. Can you help them?

• Continental and oceanic plates differ in densities.

• Seismic activity occurs along plate boundaries.

• Less dense plates always subduct beneath the more dense plates.

• The sizes and shapes of continents remain the same over time.

During a field trip, Maya, Ethan, and Anika discovered fossils of organisms (A, B, C, and D) deposited in rock layers in four different areas of a region. Which organism is an index fossil, and why?

• Organism A. It is found in all four rock layers of Area 2.

• Organism B. It is found in different rock layers across the four areas.

• Organism C. It is found only in one rock layer across all the four areas.

• Organism D. It is found only in one rock layer of Area 4.

Zoe, Avery, and Abigail are studying geology and learning about the law of superposition, which describes how to use rock layers to determine the relative age of fossils. According to this law, which rock layer would contain the oldest fossils in a cliff they are examining?

• layer W

• layer X

• layer Y

• layer Z

Anika, Avery, and Scarlett are discussing volcanic eruptions. Which outcome would classify a volcanic eruption as constructive in their discussion?

• formation of a crater

• formation of an island

• destruction of a landform

• destruction of a forest

Isla and Emma were discussing an article they read in a science journal about the seafloor spreading apart at the plate boundary between North America and Europe. Kai joined the conversation and mentioned that new crust is being added to Earth at this plate boundary. Which evidence best supports Kai's claim?

• Earthquakes occur at all divergent plate boundaries.

• Island arcs are found at all subduction zones.

• The crust at the mid-oceanic ridge is younger than the crust far from the ridges.

• Volcanoes form on land in response to plate movement.

During a field trip to the Appalachian Mountains, Emma, Rohan, and Mia learned that these mountains were formed about 500-400 million years ago. Their teacher asked them what has caused the mountains to change so much over time. What was the correct answer?

• They have been blown up by people mining for coal.

• They were buried under the Atlantic ocean.

• They have experienced weathering and erosion.

• They were buried under lava by volcanic eruptions.

Abigail, Michael, and Aiden live in a neighborhood that experiences frequent lightning storms. They want to protect their houses from lightning strikes by installing lightning rods. The table shows different materials, their relative conductivity, and observations about the materials. Which material should they choose for the lightning rods?

• concrete

• copper

• glass

• wood