Introduction to Earth’s Systems-Test Practice

What is the relationship between the hydrosphere and the cryosphere?

• The hydrosphere is part of the cryosphere.

• The cryosphere is part of the hydrosphere.

• The hydrosphere contains water.

• There is no relationship of the two spheres.

If the hydrosphere changed, other spheres would be affected. What is one possible way that the biosphere might change?

• Increased rainfall would reduce the population.

• Lower lake levels would eliminate habitats.

• Higher lake levels would decrease the amount of available food.

• Reduced rainfall would reduce the amount of available food.

Isabella has been reading about different kinds of landforms. She lives in Florida and wants to learn more about the landforms in her state. What sorts of landforms does Florida have? Choose the three that apply.

• coastline

• mountains

• dunes

• rivers

Caroline opened a map to complete her homework by identifying some of the landforms she had learned. She noticed a particular landform reaching from Florida all the way up to Massachusetts. What type of landform is this?

• plateau

• sand dunes

• coastal plain

• delta

Sarah learned that natural forces are normally either destructive, like a volcano, or constructive, like mountain ranges. However, she read that water can be considered both a constructive and destructive force. In what way can water be a destructive force?

• erosion of landforms

• depositing sediment

• forming a delta

• creating a lake

Felix showed that certain elements of the geosphere and biosphere can affect the amount of water in the water cycle. In what ways do the geosphere and the biosphere add water to the water cycle? Choose the two that apply.

• Rain falls from the clouds.

• Water evaporates from the soil.

• Animals breathe.

• Water evaporates from the ocean.

Felix showed his dad that water travels through all the spheres. Felix also showed him that the total amount of water on Earth has stayed the same. Why has the total amount of water in the water cycle remained constant?

• More water vapor condenses to keep the cycle in balance.

• More precipitation falls than can evaporate and condense.

• The rate of precipitation and evaporation are in balance.

• The rate of evaporation competes with the balance of precipitation.

Jackie is creating a chart that shows where the water is in the hydrosphere. She created a graphic showing that most of Earth’s water was salt water and could be found in the oceans, while only 3% of the water on Earth is fresh water.

    Look at the diagram. Most of the freshwater is tied up in one of two different forms. In what form is 70% of Earth’s freshwater found?

• groundwater

• ice

• lakes

• rivers

Paola is writing an essay about lakes for her science class. She knows that these particular landforms are created in a variety of ways. Which of the following should she include in her essay? Choose the three that apply.

• in rift valleys

• in a watershed

• in empty volcano craters

• from melted ice sheets

   Some landforms are found only on land or under sea, some landforms are found in both places. One landform that is found both on Earth's surface and under the sea is a _________

• abyssal plain

• glacier

• lake

• valley