Earth's Spheres and Layers

The continent of Antarctica is covered with an ice sheet. Which part of the Earth system includes the ice sheet?

• biosphere

• cryosphere

• hydrosphere

• atmosphere

The picture below shows interactions between Earth systems. How many spheres are interacting in the picture?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Sometimes fires burn down large areas of forests that are part of the biosphere. Other than the biosphere, which of Earth’s other systems is a forest fire most likely to affect?

• geosphere

• cryosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-5

The picture below shows a view of the layers of the geosphere. About how thick is Earth’s mantle?

• 40 km

• 2,900 km

• 3,500 km

• 6,440 km

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

The Florida Everglades is a large, warm wetland with many plants, animals, and microscopic organisms. Which part of the Earth system includes the water in the Everglades?

• geosphere

• cryosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

When trees die, they often fall on the ground and decompose. Which part of the Earth system includes dead and decomposed trees?

• biosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

The Florida panther is one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. Where is the air that Florida panthers breathe?

• biosphere

• geosphere

• atmosphere

• hydrosphere

The picture below shows the interaction of different spheres within the Earth system. Which parts are interacting?

• hydrosphere and geosphere

• atmosphere and biosphere and geosphere

• cryosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere

• geosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

The picture below shows parts of the Earth system.

Which of these sentences best describes an interaction of spheres shown in the picture?

• The biosphere gets matter from the cryosphere.

• The geosphere gets energy from the atmosphere.

• The biosphere gets matter from the hydrosphere.

• The atmosphere gets energy from the hydrosphere.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The following map shows the average elevations of four U.S. state capitals.

What city would you expect to have the greatest air pressure?

• Atlanta, GA

• Cheyenne, WY

• Lansing, MI

• Phoenix, AZ