SSA EOC Earth Science Review Quiz

Interactions between layers of Earth cause convection currents to move crustal plates. In which layer of Earth are the convection currents that directly result in tectonic plate motion found?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

The Earth is made up of several large, slow-moving tectonic plates that sometimes cause earthquakes. Which layer of the Earth contains these large plates?

• lithosphere

• mantle

• molten core

• solid core

In some places on Earth, large continental plates are moving toward each other and collide with great force. One such place is where the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate meet. What type of formation most likely will occur where two continental plates collide?

• canyon

• earthquake

• mountain range

• rift valley

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

There are places on the surface of the Earth where two tectonic plates slide against each other, moving in opposite directions. Sometimes these plates become stuck and don't move for long periods of time, which causes a lot of energy to build between the two plates until there is too much energy and the plates slip, causing a sudden motion. What is the result of this sudden motion?

• A. earthquakes

• B. large valleys

• C. mountains

• D. volcanoes

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

Jason lives on a ranch in Wyoming. There is a large sedimentary rock outcrop on the ranch. He found one fossil embedded in the rock near the top of the outcrop and another embedded in the rock almost at the bottom of the outcrop. What do their positions most likely tell him about the two fossils?

• A. The lower fossil is older than the upper fossil

• B. The upper fossil is older than the lower fossil

• C. The upper fossil must be that of a climbing animal

• D. The lower fossil must have washed down from the top.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

A scientist wants to find the actual, numerical age of a rock. What would be the most effective way to do this?

• A. Count the numbers of fossils the rock contains

• B. Measure the relative amounts of radioactive elements in it

• C. Judge its position in the rock face relative to that of other rocks

• D. Estimate how much of it has worn away since it formed originally.

Which of these daily human activities would have a beneficial impact on the environment?

• a. letting water run while brushing teeth

• b. leaving a ceiling fan on when departing a room

• c. removing a nonnative, invasive plant species from a habitat

• d. throwing away plastic bottles in containers designated for the landfill

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

How have human activities, such as deforestation, influenced the rock cycle?

• a. Human activities have caused more volcanic activity, which creates metamorphic rock.

• b. Human activities have changed the composition of soil, which results in more metamorphic rock.

• c. Human activities have caused more melting and cooling within Earth, which drives the rock cycle.

• d. Human activities have caused the creation of more erosion and sediment, which makes sedimentary rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Which of these actions would most likely lead to desertification?

• a. reduced irrigation of crops

• b. over-grazing by farm animals

• c. planting non-native trees

• d. controlled burning of protected areas

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

In some places, timber companies remove all the trees from entire hillsides when they are harvesting logs, and farmers till the soil in the fall and leave the ground bare of plants until it is time to plant in spring. What is the most likely effect of doing either of these things?

• a. Plants will sprout better.

• b. Erosion will happen faster.

• c. Soil will stay cooler.

• d. Decomposition will speed up.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4