A B C

The image shows an area of land, where location 1 has a greater amount of precipitation than location 2. However, there is an aquifer of freshwater located beneath location 2, but not location 1. Which statement explains a reason behind the distribution of groundwater in the aquifer?

• The land is flatter in location 2.

• The land has higher elevation in location 1.

• The rocks in location 2 are permeable.

• The rivers from location 1 supply extra water to location 2.

Answer explanation

The rocks in location 2 are permeable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which is the order of the Earth's interior from center to surface?

• crust, outer core, mantle, inner core

• crust, mantle, inner core, outer core

• inner core, outer core, mantle, crust

• crust, mantle, outer core, inner core

Answer explanation

The correct order of the Earth's interior from center to surface is inner core, outer core, mantle, crust.

The image shows the structure of Earth's crust and the top of the upper mantle. Which letter(s) represent the asthenosphere?

• P

• Q

• P and Q

• Q and R

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Q as it represents the asthenosphere in the structure of Earth's crust and the top of the upper mantle.

Assume that the diagram below shows a cross section of part of the lithosphere. Which diagram correctly shows what will happen to the lithosphere when pushed by tectonic forces?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The diagram shows the fossils of organisms (A, B, C, and D) deposited in rock layers in four different areas of a region. Which organism is an index fossil, and why?

• Organism A. It is found in all four rock layers of Area 2.

• Organism B. It is found in different rock layers across the four areas.

• Organism C. It is found only in one rock layer across all the four areas.

• Organism D. It is found only in one rock layer of Area 4.

Answer explanation

Organism C is the index fossil because it is found only in one rock layer across all four areas, making it a reliable indicator of the age of the rock layers.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

Examine the diagram of a volcano.What is represented by the letter L?

• ash

• lava

• magma

• vent

Answer explanation

The letter L represents magma, which is the molten rock beneath the Earth's surface. Once it reaches the surface, it is called lava.

A student makes a model to show two continental plates at a convergent boundary by first breaking a clay block into two pieces. He then pushes the two pieces against one another with constant force, as shown in stages 1 and 2.The student concludes that mountains are formed when two continental plates collide at a convergent boundary. Which statement best supports the student’s conclusion?

• Both halves of the block are equal in dimensions.

• The texture of the block resembles continental crust.

• The fault line in stage 1 is vertical, and this is descriptive of all continental boundaries.

• Both stages 1 and 2 have the same densities, and one plate cannot sink under the other.

Answer explanation

The statement that best supports the student's conclusion is that both stages 1 and 2 have the same densities, and one plate cannot sink under the other.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A student prepared a list of changes that can occur to landforms through volcanic eruptions.Which changes in the student’s list are correct?

1. formation of new islands
2. formation of new faults
3. addition of new rocks to the land
4. formation of folded mountain ranges

• 1 and 2

• 1 and 3

• 2 and 3

• 3 and 4

Answer explanation

The correct changes in the student's list are the formation of new islands and the addition of new rocks to the land.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which statement is true when comparing the densities of the oceanic crust, the continental crust, and the mantle?

• The continental and oceanic crusts are more dense than the mantle, and the continental crust is more dense than the oceanic crust.

• The continental and oceanic crusts are less dense than the mantle, and the oceanic crust is more dense than the continental crust.

• The continental and oceanic crusts are more dense than the mantle, and the oceanic crust is more dense than the continental crust.

• The continental and oceanic crusts are less dense than the mantle, and the continental crust is more dense than the oceanic crust.

Answer explanation

The correct statement is that the continental and oceanic crusts are less dense than the mantle, and the oceanic crust is more dense than the continental crust.

What is the name of the boundary where two plates slide past each other?

• convergent plate boundary

• divergent plate boundary

• subduction plate boundary

• transform plate boundary

Answer explanation

The correct boundary where two plates slide past each other is called a transform plate boundary.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3