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Arches National Park is a beautiful desert landscape located in Utah. The park is filled with arches that have been formed by nature. The arches were once solid rock. Over time, extreme temperature changes and windy conditions have caused pieces of rock to crumble and blow away, leaving holes in the rock and forming the arches. Which of these processes is responsible for the formation of the arches?

• A. cooling magma

• B. weathering and erosion

• C. compaction and cementation

• D. increased geological pressure

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The sand found along the Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida originated in granite formed from slowly cooling magma in the Appalachian Mountains. When this sand is buried and compacted, it will become sandstone. The sandstone may be moved deeper underground where it will be subjected to heat and pressure to become quartzite. What is the rock cycle for this sequence of transformations?

• A. igneous rock → metamorphic rock → sedimentary rock

• B. metamorphic rock → igneous rock → sedimentary rock

• C. igneous rock → sedimentary rock → metamorphic rock

• D. metamorphic rock → sedimentary rock → igneous rock

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock are formed and recycled in the rock cycle by several processes. Which physical processes are at work in the formation of sedimentary rock?

• A. melting, petrification, and cooling

• B. erosion, deposition, and compaction

• C. heating, metamorphism, and distortion

• D. dissolving, evaporation, and crystallization

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

As more people have crowded into coastal areas, shoreline erosion has become a more high profile problem. Scientists fear that shoreline erosion may be accelerating due to changes in climate and human activity. Which of these elements is least likely to increase the rate of erosion along the Florida coast?

• A. rising sea levels

• B. more sand dunes

• C. destruction of mangrove swamps

• D. increased frequency of hurricanes

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

Many thousands of years ago, glaciers covered large areas of Earth’s surface. Glaciers are large blocks of ice that flow slowly over the land. Portions of the ice melted and refroze many times over the years. Which explanation best describes how melting glaciers effected Florida?

• A. The shape of Florida's coastline changed due to the rise of ocean waters.

• B. Fresh water flooding caused plants to die

• C. Steep cliffs formed above Florida's beaches

• D. More sand was deposited on the ocean floor.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Rivers played a huge part in shaping the Earth through the erosion and weathering. The St. John’s River is the largest in Florida and flows along the northeastern part of the state. How do the rivers in Florida differ from those in other areas?

• A. Florida’s rivers flow slower and are shallower than those in mountainous regions.

• B. Florida’s rivers move much faster than those which end at the ocean.

• C. Florida’s rivers are much deeper than those located in states further north.

• D. Florida’s rivers carry more sediment from erosion than those that flow faster.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Some landforms in Florida have different characteristics than the same type of landform in other states. Which of the following statements correctly differentiates one type of Florida landform from those in other states?

• A. Mountain ranges in Florida are short in comparison to the mountain ranges in other states.

• B. Florida’s rivers do not flow into the oceans, as do other U. S. rivers.

• C. Lakes in Florida may be shallow as compared to other areas or are formed as the result of sinkholes.

• D. Dunes in Florida are larger than dunes which form in the deserts of the western United States.

While studying rocks in Hawaii, a geologist discovered an abundance of igneous rock. Which of the statements below best describes how this rock most likely formed?

• A. Metamorphic rock was weathered then melted to become igneous rock

• B. Metamorphic rock melted then cooled to become igneous rock.

• C. Sedimentary rock melted then cooled to become igneous rock.

• D. Either metamorphic or sedimentary rock was melted then cooled to form igneous rock.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1