The transfer of heat is responsible for many of the events that occur on Earth. Which of the following events is most directly caused by radiation from the Sun?

• the circulation of air

• the warming of Earth’s surface

• the movement of ocean currents

• the movement within Earth’s mantle

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following best explains how minerals get into streams?

• Rainwater that is high in minerals from the atmosphere falls into the stream.

• The stream absorbs minerals from the plants growing in and around its banks.

• Rainwater dissolves minerals out of the rocks and soil along the stream during runoff.

• When water evaporates from the ocean, it takes minerals with it and redeposits them as rainwater into the stream.

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Plants and animals require large amounts of water in order to survive. Although vast numbers of plants and animals have lived throughout time, the amount of water in our environment has remained relatively constant. Which of the following statements explains why this occurs?

• Water continually flows from the center of Earth.

• Vast quantities of water are created by lightning in clouds.

• Organisms return water to the environment after they use it.

• Organisms combine hydrogen and oxygen to make their own water.

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Trade winds blow in a curved path toward the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. How do normal trade wind patterns change the weather of islands near the equator?

• Trade winds blow cooler, gentler winds toward the islands.

• Trade winds blow colder, heavier winds toward the islands.

• Trade winds blow drier, more constant winds toward the islands.

• Trade winds blow warmer, more unpredictable winds toward the islands.

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The picture below shows warm air over land and cool air over water.

Air currents form due to the uneven heating of Earth. According to the picture above, what direction will the air currents most likely move?

• straight down over the land

• straight up above the water

• from the water toward the land

• from the land toward the water

Answer explanation

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Zach invited his friend Sydney to a pool party over the weekend. Sydney informed Zach that the climate was supposed to be rainy over the weekend and suggested that he change his plans. Zach explained to Sydney that she had misused the word “climate” and she should have used the word “weather” instead. Which of the following statements accurately clarifies the confusion between Zach and Sydney?

• Zach is correct; the weather for this area is typically tropical and wet.

• Sydney is correct; there has been an abundance of rainfall within the last month, changing the climate of this particular area.

• Zach is correct; the climate of an environment is determined by patterns in weather conditions over an extended period of time.

• Sydney is correct; the climate of an environment can change constantly based on weather, wind, and front patterns in the area

Why is the greenhouse effect important to life on Earth?

• The greenhouse effect absorbs x-rays in the winter time.

• The greenhouse effect helps Earth’s atmosphere hold in heat.

• The greenhouse effect makes it much colder at the North and South poles.

• The greenhouse effect reflects harmful radiation into the upper atmosphere.

Jada often visits a beach near her home. She notices that some areas of the beach are shrinking while other areas are growing. Which statement best explains the cause of these changes?

• Both processes are due to erosion.

• Both processes are due to deposition.

• Some areas are shrinking due to erosion and other areas are growing due to deposition.

• Some areas are shrinking due to deposition and other areas are growing due to erosion.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Shoals are raised landforms made of sand and gravel that are commonly found in Florida. They are often called sandbars and are located in and round bodies of water such as oceans, rivers, and lakes. Which factor most commonly causes shoals to form or change shape?

• the motion of glaciers

• the motion of large boats

• the motion of wind and waves

• the motion of Earth’s mantle and crust

One type of lake that can be found in Florida is round in shape. These lakes are formed when the acid in groundwater dissolves limestone underground, forming a cave. Eventually, the cave roof weakens and collapses causing the cave to fill with water. What type of lake is caused by the collapse of these caves?

• a glacial lake

• an oxbow lake

• a sinkhole lake

• an artificial lake

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