Factors Affecting Earth Systems

What is the process by which weathered material is moved by wind, water, or ice?

• groundwater

• permeability

• erosion

• surface water

What is the process by which exposed rock and other surfaces are broken down? It may be caused by elements of weather (wind, water, ice) or other mechanisms (physical, chemical, biological).

• water table

• deposition

• weathering

• erosion

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Polar bears in the Arctic use the sea ice that covers the North Pole as a platform for hunting seals, the mainstay of their diet. Recent data suggest that Arctic sea ice may have thinned as much as 40% over the past 50 years. If the polar ice continues to melt, it is likely that the polar bear will become extinct. Many scientists believe that the melting of the Arctic sea ice is due primarily to human activities. Which of the following human activities would have the most direct effect on the thickness of the polar ice cap?

• Increased nuclear energy production

• Increased fishing in the Arctic ocean

• Increased burning of fossil fuels

• Increased human population

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

The picture below shows part of the Piney Woods ecoregion in east Texas. Which of the following best explains the lack of extremely diverse landforms in this ecoregion?

• The high vegetation decreases erosion from water and wind.

• The trees in this region hide the diverse landforms underneath them.

• The trees broke down all of the previous landforms through weathering.

• The high amount of vegetation soaks up most of the corrosive water into their leaves.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A student drew the model below to represent a part of a watershed and some human activities that affect the watershed. How do the industrial, agricultural, and residential activities of humans most likely affect the groundwater in the area?

• The activities prevent most of the water from evaporating into the atmosphere.

• Pollutants from the activities percolate through the soil and enter the water table.

• The activities replace the groundwater used.

• All of the above

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

The picture below shows the Palo Duro Canyon in the High Plains ecoregion of Texas. What was the cause for the formation of this canyon?

• Erosion caused by a river that formed the steep sides of the canyon.

• Deposition of sediment that formed the canyon walls.

• Weathering of rocks from a tornado that formed the canyon.

• A meteor shower that killed dinosaurs and made a giant hole.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The model below shows an aquifer. When an area is experiencing drought, humans may excessively pump groundwater out of aquifers like this one. All of the following are effects of this excessive pumping EXCEPT —

• groundwater depleting

• the water table rising

• soil collapsing

• water quality decreasing

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS3-1

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

The picture below models runoff from a mine into local watersheds. The runoff will affect local watersheds in all of the following ways EXCEPT:

• by contaminating the lake with heavy metals.

• by increasing sediments in the stream.

• by increasing the number of animals that live in the lake or stream.

• by introducing acid rock drainage to the lake and stream.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The map below shows the locations of the Blackland Prairie ecoregion in Texas. This ecoregion is characterized by having a dry climate, poor soil, large numbers of grazing animals, grasses, and oak trees. Which of the following plays the largest factor in the formation of this ecoregion?

• Wildfires and the constant wildlife grazing that erodes the soil

• Winds from hurricanes blowing down trees and weathering the land

• Chemical weathering of limestone and granite

• Flash floods that prevent diverse plant growth

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

The image below illustrates a forested watershed. Which human activity is most likely to increase the risk of flooding in this watershed?

• Planting additional trees within the watershed.

• Building small ponds to collect runoff.

• Constructing residential areas by removing large sections of trees.

• Introducing new wildlife species to the area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS3-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4