Factors Affecting the Earth's Systems

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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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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

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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NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The map shows the various ecoregions of Texas. Which ecoregion is most vulnerable to wind erosion from hurricanes originating in the Gulf of Mexico?

• Edwards Plateau

• Gulf Prairies and Marshes

• Post Oak Savannah

• Blackland Prairies

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

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

• Abiotic

• Erosion

• Weathering

• Deposition

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NGSS.MS-LS2-3

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

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

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

• groundwater

• permeability

• erosion

• surface water

Identify the factor that influence the temperature of these two areas

• Latitude

• Altitude

• Distance from Large Bodies of Water

• Ocean Currents

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What factor is influencing the temperature of these two cities

• Latitude

• Altitude

• Distance from Large Body of Water

• Ocean Currents