Earth Science Quiz

Point A and point B are locations 0.24 mile apart on a ski slope in northern New York. Point A has an elevation of 1560 feet and point B has an elevation of 1800 feet. What is the gradient between these two points?

• 60 ft/mi

• 240 ft/mi

• 500 ft/mi

• 1,000 ft/mi

Answer explanation

gradient = 1800-1560 then divide the answer by the distance given of 0.24

What is the approximate gradient along line BD?

• 25 m/km

• 50 m/km

• 100 m/km

• 150 m/km

Base your answer(s) to the following question(s) on the United States time zone map shown below. The dashed lines represent meridians (lines of longitude).

If the time in Buffalo, NY is 5am, what time is it in San Francisco CA?

• 8 am

• 2 am

• 3 am

• 4 am

At what time is Point X on Earth's surface shown in the diagram?

• 6 am

• noon

• 6 pm

• midnight

Answer explanation

Point B is on the night time side of Earth and 12am is the only time choice that is always at night

The map below shows four major time zones of the United States. The locations of New York City and Denver are shown.

What is the time in New York city when it is noon in Denver?

• 10 am

• 2 pm

• 3 pm

• noon

The map below shows four major time zones of the United States. The locations of Boston and San Diego are shown.

What is the time in Boston when it is 11am in San Diego?

• 8 am

• 2 pm

• 3 pm

• noon

Base your answers to the following questions on the diagram below and on your knowledge of Earth science. The diagram represents the lines of latitude and longitude on Earth. Points A through E represent locations on Earth. Which two locations have the same solar time?

• A and B

• B and D

• C and E

• D and E

Scratching a mineral against a glass plate and rubbing a mineral on a streak plate are helpful procedures for determining a mineral’s

• density

• identity

• cleavage

• internal atomic structure

Which mineral is white or colorless, has a hardness of 2.5, and splits with cubic cleavage?

• calcite

• halite

• pyrite

• mica

Base your answer(s) to the following question(s) on the “Properties of Common Minerals” chart in the Earth Science Reference Tables. Which mineral leaves a green-black powder when rubbed against an unglazed porcelain plate?

• galena

• graphite

• hematite

• pyrite