Quarter 3 Benchmark Review

The maps show the positions of Earth's continents 65 million years ago and present day.

North America and Russia were once connected by a land bridge that no longer exists. What does this indicate about Earth?

• Earth's water bodies are growing faster than they used to

• Earth's water bodies are evaporating faster than they used to

• Earth's landforms are continuously being destroyed due to human travel

• Earth's landforms are continuously changing due to the movement of tectonic plates

The map shows the location of continents about 200 million years ago.

Which interaction between the North American Plate and the African Plate MOST LIKELY led to the formation of the Great Smokey Mountains?

• The plates collided at a transform plate boundary

• The plates collided at a convergent plate boundary

• The plates separated at a divergent plate boundary

• The plates slid past each other at a transform plate boundary

What caused the plate interaction that led to the formation of the Great Smokey Mountains (or any geographical change?)

• ocean currents above Earth's lithosphere

• convection currents in Earth's asthenosphere

• hotspots of magma from Earth's asthenosphere

• earthquakes at plate boundaries in Earth's lithosphere

Which of these BEST describes why plates move?

• Plates move when earthquakes shake Earth's lithosphere

• Plates move when magma pushes through the lithosphere

• Plates move when hot mantle material circulates under the lithosphere

• Plates move when cold ocean water cools hot mantle material under the lithosphere

The map shows the location of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, another surface feature created by an interaction between plates.

Which statement BEST compares rock found in the Great Smokey Mountains with rock found near the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

• Rock from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge will be older because it is under water

• Rock from the Great Smokey Mountains will be younger because it is continental crust

• Rock from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge will be younger because it is the most recently formed

• Rock from the Great Smokey Mountains will be older because it is more dense than oceanic rock

The map shows the current location of the Appalachian Mountains in North America and the Caledonian Mountains in Europe.

Which TWO pieces of evidence would support the claim that the mountain ranges were once connected?

• Both mountain ranges have similar climates

• Both mountain ranges have similar rock compositions

• Both mountain ranges have similar signs of weathering

• Both mountain ranges have rocks that are the same age

• Both mountain ranges have the same living plants and animals

Which TWO landforms result when two tectonic plates separate?

• trench

• volcano

• rift valley

• mountain

• mid-ocean ridge

The map shows the locations where fossils of an extinct plant species have been found.

This plant is thought to have existed 225 million years ago. Which statement BEST compares the fossils?

• The fossils in India are likely about the same age as the fossils in Australia

• The fossils in India are likely millions of years older than the fossils in Australia

• The fossils in India are likely millions of years younger than the fossils in Australia

• The fossils in India are likely hundreds of years younger than the fossils in Australia

The characteristics of Antarctica include:

Average Temperature: -40 degrees F

Average Months of Sunlight: 8

Average Ground Surface: Frozen

Scientists have found soil evidence that suggests swampy rainforests existed on the continent millions of years ago. What can scientists conclude based on this evidence?

• Swampy rainforests once survived in frozen ground

• Antarctica was once located in a much colder climate zone

• Antarctica was once located in a much warmer climate zone

• Swampy rainforests once survived without consistent sunlight

What is the cause of earthquakes?

• the movement of ocean tides

• the movement of wind patterns

• the movement of tectonic plates

• the movement of Earth's rotation