Alessandra recently learned that mountain rocks can break into smaller pieces (weathering) and can then be moved from one location to another by water, wind, or gravity (erosion). But she is curious if rocks continue to break down as they move from the top of mountains to the bottom. Alessandra takes photos of rocks at the top and at the bottom of Monster Mountain. Some of her photos are shown above. What evidence do you see in Alessandra’s photographs that the rocks have continued to break down as they moved from the top of Monster Mountain to the bottom of Monster Mountain?

There may be more than 1 correct answer. Select all the correct answers.

• The rocks at the bottom of the mountain have smoother edges compared to the rocks at the top of the mountain.

• There are more trees at the bottom of the mountain compared to the top of the mountain.

• There are more small rocks at the bottom of the mountain compared to the rocks at the top of the mountain.

• The rocks at the bottom of the mountain are darker in color compared to the rocks at the top of the mountain.

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In Alessandra’s town there is another mountain called Mini Mountain. Mini Mountain is right next to Monster Mountain. What would most likely cause the rocks at the bottom of Mini Mountain to be less eroded than rocks at the bottom of Monster Mountain? Pick the best answer.

• There are more rivers flowing down Monster Mountain compared to Mini Mountain.

• There is more distance for rocks to fall down Monster Mountain compared to Mini Mountain.

• There is more wind blowing across Monster Mountain compared to Mini Mountain.

• There are more trees on Monster Mountain compared to Mini Mountain.

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Monster Mountain is twice as tall as Mini Mountain. Alessandra wonders: “Would rocks halfway down Monster Mountain look the same as rocks at the bottom of Mini Mountain?”

Describe what observations or measurements Alessandra could make to answer her question.

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Aiden and Jayla recently learned that weathering (root wedging and ice wedging) breaks down rocks. They think that root wedging and ice wedging have caused the cracks in the sidewalks where they live. Why do sidewalks in New Jersey have so many more cracks than the sidewalks in Florida?

• Only ice wedging is causing the sidewalk cracks in New Jersey. Both root wedging and ice wedging are causing the sidewalk cracks in Florida.

• Only ice wedging is causing the sidewalk cracks in Florida. Both root wedging and ice wedging are causing the sidewalk cracks in New Jersey.

• Only root wedging is causing the sidewalk cracks in New Jersey. Both root wedging and ice wedging are causing the sidewalk cracks in Florida.

• Only root wedging is causing the sidewalk cracks in Florida. Both root wedging and ice wedging are causing the sidewalk cracks in New Jersey.

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Jayla and Aiden wonder: “Do the cold New Jersey winters affect how many cracks appear in the sidewalk?” To answer their question, Jayla and Aiden decide to carry out a science investigation. They first need to show that there are more sidewalk cracks in New Jersey compared to sidewalks in Florida. Which of the following could be used as evidence to answer their question?

There may be more than 1 correct answer. Select all the correct answers.

• They can make observations and count how many sidewalk cracks they notice along 3 streets in their neighborhoods. Then they can compare their observations.

• They can make observations and count the number of houses they notice along 3 streets in their neighborhoods. Then they can compare their observations.

• They can take measurements of the cracks that they notice along 3 streets in their neighborhoods. Then they can compare their measurements.

• They can use rulers to take measurements of the mushrooms that they notice along 3 streets in their neighborhoods. Then they can compare their measurements.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The map above shows the locations of active volcanoes and recent earthquakes.

Isabella lives in Peru. The arrow on the map shows where Peru is located. Do you think a volcano could pop up where Isabella lives?

• No, I do not think a volcano could pop up where Isabella lives. The pattern of volcanoes on the map shows that it’s not possible for a volcano to pop up in this location.

• No, I do not think a volcano could pop up where Isabella lives. The map shows that there isn’t a volcano where she lives so it could never happen.

• Yes, I think a volcano could pop up where Isabella lives. The pattern of volcanoes shows that it’s possible for a volcano to pop up in this location.

• Yes, I think a volcano could pop up where Isabella lives. The map shows that there is already a volcano where she lives.

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The map above shows the locations of active volcanoes and recent earthquakes.

What observations can you make from the map of volcanoes and earthquakes?

Volcanoes form a pattern around the Pacific Ocean. The pattern is in the shape of a ring or horseshoe.

• True

• False

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The map above shows the locations of active volcanoes and recent earthquakes.

What observations can you make from the map of volcanoes and earthquakes?

Earthquakes do not form any kind of pattern.

• True

• False

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The map above shows the locations of active volcanoes and recent earthquakes.

What observations can you make from the map of volcanoes and earthquakes?

Volcanoes and earthquakes have similar patterns of where they are located.

• True

• False

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Kenji finds some interesting black rocks next to a hill. The hill is very close to where Kenji lives. Kenji shows the rocks to a scientist, who tells him that the rocks are basalt. Basalt is a type of rock that is formed after lava erupts from volcanoes, but there currently aren’t any volcanoes where Kenji lives.

Do you think that there used to be a volcano where Kenji lives? Why or why not? Support your answer with evidence.

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