Factors Affecting Earth Systems

The picture below shows sand dunes on Padre Island, Texas, in the Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes ecoregion. The sand dunes most likely formed by —

• the deposition of sand carried by swift wind blowing along the coast

• land that slightly uplifted when tectonic plates moved under the beach sand

• a primitive river that flowed toward the ocean and carved out the sand dunes

• strong waves dumping chunks of the ocean floor onto the beach

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The picture below shows Hurricane Sandy as it approached the northeastern part of the United States. All of the following could have been effects of Hurricane Sandy EXCEPT:

• decreased local animal populations, because animals died during the storm.

• negative human-animal interactions, because animals move toward shelter.

• dehydration and animal deaths, because of increased temperatures.

• larger mosquito populations, because mosquitoes lay larvae on standing water.

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The diagram below shows a coastal region affected by tidal waves. Which of the following best explains the impact of tidal waves on coastal erosion?

• Tidal waves deposit large amounts of sediment, reducing erosion.

• Tidal waves primarily cause erosion by moving large amounts of water forcefully against the shore.

• Tidal waves have little to no effect on coastal erosion.

• Tidal waves increase the salinity of the soil, enhancing erosion.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A diagram of the areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico is provided. A hurricane that comes in from the Gulf of Mexico will most likely have which of the following effects on a Texas habitat?

• Plants on Goose Island are killed by a surge of salt water.

• Trees in and around Austin are uprooted by heavy winds.

• Birds that eat fish on Galveston Island become extinct.

• Rains create new marshland habitats in Brazos Bend.

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Runoff from agricultural land carries chemicals from fertilizers that collect in a lake. The buildup of chemicals COULD eventually cause -

• rainfall levels to drop causing drought and a shorter growing season.

• river tributaries to reroute, changing the flow of natural waterways.

• excess water to fill the aquifer, resulting in pore shrinkage and subsidence.

• aquatic life, such as fish and turtles, to die from a lack of oxygen.

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Tornadoes are catastrophic events that create change in ecosystems in which of the following ways?

• Heavy flooding increases areas where trees can grow.

• Wildfires started by lightning reduce carbon dioxide.

• High winds damage areas of important plant life.

• Saltwater kills many ground-dwelling animals.

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From the distinct shapes of sand dunes and their features in a desert, a geologist could most likely determine which of the following?

• Daily high and low temperatures

• Age of the formations

• Direction of the prevailing wind

• Amount of water nearby

The nonliving components of an ecosystem, such as soil and sunlight

• Abiotic

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Deposition

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When the rock or soil of Earth’s surface is moved to another location by water, ice, or wind

• Abiotic

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Deposition

Which of the following is a major factor affecting the Earth's climate system?

• A) Ocean currents

• B) Soil composition

• C) Mountain height

• D) River length

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