Earth Science SOL 2002 Released Test

Igneous rocks are formed by __.

• heat and pressure on existing rocks

• evaporation of water, leaving solids behind

• cooling and hardening of molten rock

• layers of mud on the bottom of a lake

Answer explanation

Igneous rocks are formed by the cooling and hardening of molten rock, which distinguishes them from sedimentary and metamorphic rocks that form through different processes.

What is the main advantage of using dams to produce electrical energy?

• They can be built near most cities.

• They do not produce much pollution.

• They are inexpensive to build.

• They do not damage wildlife homes.

Answer explanation

The main advantage of using dams for electrical energy is that they do not produce much pollution, making them a cleaner energy source compared to fossil fuels.

What else must the student do over time to ensure a valid experiment?

• Water any container in which the soil feels dry

• Water all of the containers the same amount and at the same time

• Water any of the plants that seem to be growing more slowly than the others

• Water the plants in compacted soil more than those in uncompacted soil

Answer explanation

To ensure a valid experiment, it's crucial to water all containers the same amount and at the same time. This maintains consistency in conditions, allowing for accurate comparisons of plant growth across different soil types.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which planet is often called “Earth’s twin” because it is similar in mass and diameter to the Earth?

• Mars

• Mercury

• Venus

• Pluto

Answer explanation

Venus is often called "Earth's twin" because it has a similar mass and diameter to Earth, making it the closest match among the planets listed. Mars, Mercury, and Pluto do not share these similarities.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Even though the Earth’s inner core is hotter than the liquid outer core, it is still solid because __.

• the heat rising from the inner core is melting the outer core

• there is more water in the outer core and it dilutes the materials

• the outer core is farther from the center, and there is less gravity holding it together

• the pressure from all of Earth’s layers keeps it in a solid state

Answer explanation

The inner core is solid despite being hotter than the outer core because the immense pressure from all of Earth's layers forces the materials into a solid state, preventing them from melting.

A light-year measures __.

• brightness

• distance

• radiation

• time

Answer explanation

A light-year is a unit of distance that measures how far light travels in one year, not brightness, radiation, or time. Therefore, the correct answer is distance.

Which vertebrate did not live during the time of the dinosaurs (the Mesozoic Era)?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Land breezes and sea breezes are created by the differences in __.

• the Earth's tilt on its axis

• solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface

• the heat capacity between water and land

• the living organisms occurring in the land and sea

Answer explanation

Land and sea breezes occur due to the different heat capacities of water and land. Water heats up and cools down more slowly than land, creating pressure differences that drive these breezes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following minerals found in the northern Piedmont province is known as "fool's gold"?

• Pyrite

• Hematite

• Galena

• Limonite

Answer explanation

Pyrite is commonly referred to as "fool's gold" due to its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue, which can resemble real gold. The other minerals listed do not have this nickname.

On weather maps, there are lines with tiny triangles on one side. This represents __.

• cold air moving in the direction the triangles point

• cold air moving opposite the direction the triangles point

• warm air moving in the direction the triangles point

• warm air moving opposite the direction the triangles point

Answer explanation

On weather maps, lines with triangles indicate a cold front. The triangles point in the direction the cold air is moving, meaning cold air is advancing in the direction the triangles point.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6