6th Grade Science Midterm Review

A science class designed a poster to show how the barrier islands along the Florida coastline formed. The students showed the effects of wind, waves, and tides on the sand that formed these islands. In the poster, which pair of systems should the students say most affected barrier island formation?

• The hydrosphere and atmosphere

• The atmosphere and lithosphere

• The biosphere and hydrosphere

• The lithosphere and biosphere

Earth can be viewed as an engine and heat exchange is part of the engine system. Which would be an example of an interaction between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere?

• A volcano erupts in the state of Washington.

• An earthquake takes place off the coast of Japan.

• A wildfire scorches a prairie in the upper Midwest.

• A hurricane moves from the Gulf of Mexico onto land.

An unusually cold winter is a problem for Florida’s manatees. Colder air temperatures cause water temperatures to drop which leads to manatee illness and death. Manatees will take shelter in the warmer waters found near natural springs and power plants. Which of the following accurately describes this chain of events leading to manatee illness?

• Changes in the atmosphere cause changes to the hydrosphere, which affects the biosphere.

• Changes in the geosphere cause changes to the hydrosphere, which affects the atmosphere.

• Changes in the hydrosphere cause changes to the biosphere, which affect the atmosphere.

• Changes in the atmosphere affect the cryosphere, which affects the hydrosphere.

In a city near the ocean, fog often forms on summer mornings. Which of the following statements best explains how this fog forms?

• Rain clouds move in from the ocean and evaporate as they reach the shore

• Water runoff moves toward the ocean and collects near the shore

• Crashing waves spray tiny drops of ocean water into the air

• Ocean water evaporates and then condenses in the air

The map below shows the location of Florida. Florida is humid during the summer months. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the humid conditions?

• Runoff from mountains

• Flooding from rivers and streams

• Groundwater bubbling to the surface

• Evaporation from the surface of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean

Sometimes the weather in Florida is affected by air masses moving from the Gulf of Mexico. Which best describes these air masses?

• cold and moist

• cold and dry

• warm and moist

• warm and dry

Hurricanes typically form during predictable times of year and in certain locations on Earth. Which factor best enables climatologists to forecast the time and location of hurricane formation?

• angle of sunlight on Earth

• thickness of the ozone layer

• ocean currents and temperature

• seasonal distance from the Sun

The Gulf Stream in the Northern Hemisphere and the Brazilian Current in the Southern Hemisphere move towards the poles. Compared to inland areas at the same latitude, the coastal areas bordering these currents will

• be more arid

• be warmer

• have more advection fogs

• have shorter growing seasons

The map below shows the continental United States and four arrows representing wind directions. Which arrow best represents the direction of the jet stream that influences weather across the continental United States?

• Arrow 1

• Arrow 2

• Arrow 3

• Arrow 4

A student designs an investigation to determine if temperature has an effect on relative humidity. She takes data daily for 30 days. She uses a thermometer to take temperature readings and a hygrometer to measure relative humidity. Was the student doing a climate investigation or a weather investigation?

• A) a weather investigation because multiple cities were not used in the investigation

• B) a weather investigation because the temperature and relative humidity were collected for 30 days

• C) a climate investigation because multiple cities were not used in the investigation

• D) a climate investigation because the temperature and humidity data were collected for 30 days