NCFE Earth Science Review

How can urbanization affect a local area? 

• It can increase the number of invasive species in an area
• It can decrease the risk of water pollution in an area
• It can increase the risk of flooding in an area
• It can decrease the need for natural resources in an area

Which will most likely form when movement along a plate boundary forces a landmass to be pulled apart? 

• volcanic island arc
• continental mountains
• continental rift
• oceanic trench 

Subsurface ocean currents continually circulate from the warm waters near the equator to the colder waters in other parts of the world. What is the main cause of these currents? 

• differences in the topography along the ocean floor
• differences in density of ocean water
• the rotation of Earth on its axis
• movement of the jet stream 

Which is associated with an increase of chlorofluorocarbons in the environment?

• an increase in health risks associated with UV radiation
• an increase in levels of methane gas in the atmosphere
• an increase in ozone levels in the upper atmosphere
• an increase in acid precipitation

Which change would best aid a farmer in making the transition from conventional farming techniques to more sustainable farming techniques?

• reduce the ratio of essential elements in the fertilizer
• irrigate crops using well water
• rotate the types of crops grown
• plant only genetically modified crops 

Which is an effect of lower levels of solar radiation striking Earth?

• increased incidences of skin cancer
• decreased rates of photosynthesis
• increased phytoplankton activity
• decreased carbon dioxide levels 

Which natural phenomenon occurs as a result of Earth rotating on its axis?

• movement of tectonic plates
• deep ocean currents
• seasonal changes
• day and night 

Which storm most likely develops as air masses interact with the warm water in the northwest Pacific Ocean?

• typhoon
• tornado
• blizzard
• monsoon 

What is most responsible for the presence of groundwater in an area?

• the movement of water from a confined aquifer into surface water
• the movement of surface water and precipitation through soil and rock
• the movement of water from streams and rivers to watersheds
• the movement of surface water through impermeable rock 

Which is a farming technique that could improve the soil and the environment?

• using fueled machines that will turn the soil continuously
• creating undisturbed layers of mulch in the soil
• placing inorganic chemical fertilizers in the soil
• irrigating the soil with salty water