EARTH SCIENCE REVIEW

A large city has been grappling with traffic-related air pollution. The local government wants to reduce the environmental impact of transportation. Which of the following options would most effectively reduce emissions from vehicles?

• A. Encouraging more gasoline-powered cars

• 
  B. Mandating the use of electric vehicles (EVs)

• C. Increasing the use of diesel-powered vehicles

• D. Building more roads for gasoline-powered vehicles

Which mineral is found in toothpaste and helps prevent tooth decay?

• A. Fluorite

• B. Hematite

• C. Mica

• D. Talc

A mining company is looking for rock salt to extract for commercial use. In which type of rock formation is rock salt most commonly found?

• A. Chemical sedimentary rocks

• B. Clastic sedimentary rocks 

• C. Igneous rocks

• D. Foliated metamorphic rocks

A volcanic eruption releases ash, gases, and lava. Which Earth subsystems are interacting, and how?

• A. The hydrosphere and geosphere interact by creating large tidal waves

• B. The geosphere interacts with the biosphere by causing destruction of habitats

• C. The atmosphere and hydrosphere interact by causing rainfall with volcanic ash

• D. The geosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere interact by releasing gases that affect climate

What is the approximate percentage of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?

• A. 10%

• B. 21%

• C. 50%

• D. 78%

A mining company is evaluating two rock types for extraction: one is chemically precipitated and the other is clastically formed. Which of the following pairs correctly matches the rock types with their formation processes?

• A. Coal – Chemical; Shale – Clastic

• B. Chert – Clastic; Breccia – Chemical

• C. Rock Salt – Chemical; Conglomerate – Clastic
  
  

• D. Sandstone – Chemical; Fossiliferous Limestone – Clastic

What method of mining is typically used for extracting minerals from the bottom of rivers, lakes, or oceans?

• A. Dredging

• B. Open-pit mining

• C. Strip mining

• D. Underground mining

Cleavage refers to a mineral’s tendency to:

• A. Dissolve in water

• B. Have a metallic shine        

• C. Form curved fractures

• D. Break along smooth, flat surfaces
  
  

What is the correct order of Earth’s atmospheric layer from bottom to top?

• 
  A.    Stratosphere, mesosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, exosphere

• B.    Mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere, thermosphere, exosphere

• C.    Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

• 
  D.    Stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere

The solid outer section of Earth is referred to as the_______.

• 
     atmosphere

• 
  litosphere

• 
  biosphere

• 
  hydrosphere