8th Grade NCDPI Formative Assessments (Earth)

The diagram represents a section of Earth that a paleontologist, a scientist who studies fossils, has been working with for years.  Which statement correctly describes this diagram?

• Layer W contains fossils of organisms that existed on Earth after the organisms found in layers U and R.

• Layer U contains fossils of organisms that are older than the organisms found in layer R.

• Layers W and U contain fossils that are animal species.

• Layers R and W contain fossils that are both types of plant species.

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Diagram 1 shows dark-shaded areas of three continents that contain similar ancient rock structures.  Diagram 2 shows similar fossils that were found on landforms.  Both diagrams show the different continents arranged as scientists believe they might have existed before they moved apart because of continental drift.

Which statement is correct based on the information provided in the two diagrams?

• The diagrams both provide support for the theory that the continents have always been fixed in their current positions.

• The diagrams have little relationship to each other, as some of the land areas shown on the diagrams are in different positions.

• The diagrams support each other by offering two separate sources of evidence that support the past shapes and positions of the landforms.

• The diagrams provide support for the conclusion that the process of continental drift ended when the continents reached their current positions.

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The diagram shows rainwater traveling underground. Depending on how far down the water travels into the ground, it can take centuries (hundreds of years) or even millennia (thousands of years). The pumped well is where groundwater is taken out of the ground. The darker-colored layers underground are layers of permeable rock. The lighter-colored layers underground are sources of groundwater. 

Using the diagram, which three statements about groundwater are correct? 

• The water for the well is provided by underground water from the uppermost layer.

• The water available to the pumped well uses only water stored for days and years.

• If rain falls on the recharge area, it may take centuries or millennia to sink to the lowest storage levels.

• The water pumped from the well will be replaced immediately from the water in all the layers beneath it.

• Pumping a large amount of water from the well will have almost no effect on the amount of water available for vegetation.

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How does this diagram of the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt show the global ocean current’s impact on Earth’s climate?

• It helps to distribute heat around the globe, regulating temperatures.

• It traps heat in the tropics, making them even hotter.

• It has no impact on global climate.

• It disrupts weather patterns.

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In a local farming community, there is a lake that is near multiple farms. A group of environmental scientists wanted to see the impact the farms were having on the water source. With improper farming techniques, eroded soils can affect nearby lakes by increasing the nitrates and phosphates in the water from excessive use of fertilizer or prevention of erosion. The scientists decided to see if the farms were impacting the lake. Below is a chart that recorded the amount of nitrates  found in the lake for a 4 week period and the changes in fish population the scientists collected. The scientists also noted that the water became less clear and grew of algae within the weeks.

Identify the independent variable in the data chart.

• amount of nitrate

• amount of fish

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In a local farming community, there is a lake that is near multiple farms. A group of environmental scientists wanted to see the impact the farms were having on the water source. With improper farming techniques, eroded soils can affect nearby lakes by increasing the nitrates and phosphates in the water from excessive use of fertilizer or prevention of erosion. The scientists decided to see if the farms were impacting the lake. Below is a chart that recorded the amount of nitrates  found in the lake for a 4 week period and the changes in fish population the scientists collected. The scientists also noted that the water became less clear and grew of algae within the weeks.

Identify the dependent variable in the data chart.

• amount of nitrate

• amount of fish

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In a local farming community, there is a lake that is near multiple farms. A group of environmental scientists wanted to see the impact the farms were having on the water source. With improper farming techniques, eroded soils can affect nearby lakes by increasing the nitrates and phosphates in the water from excessive use of fertilizer or prevention of erosion. The scientists decided to see if the farms were impacting the lake. Below is a chart that recorded the amount of nitrates  found in the lake for a 4 week period and the changes in fish population the scientists collected. The scientists also noted that the water became less clear and grew of algae within the weeks.

Using the data chart and the information provided, make a prediction about the safety and potability of the lake water. Use this site from the Environmental Protection Agency to look at levels of nitrate in water (EPA Site)

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The three satellite images below were taken of the area around location X on the Colorado River Basin map. The lighter areas on the outside of the river are mineral deposits of the lakeshore that were once underwater or dissolved in the water.

Scientists have been using both global and local technologies to monitor the amount of water in the Colorado River Basin.  The technologies have helped government agencies to conclude that

• the amount of water in waterways is influenced by the presence of minerals dissolved in the water, requiring more water purification plants.

• flood mitigation plans are needed because the amount of water in the Colorado River Basin is increasing at a slow rate.

• there was a cyclic trend to the amount of water in the Colorado River Basin between 2000 and 2022 therefore no new mitigation plans are needed.

• water conservation plans are needed because water levels in the rivers leading into Lake Mead are a major cause for the downward trend in lake surface elevation.

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Energy from the wind is used to turn windmills.  These windmills then spin a generator and produce electricity.

Which statement would not support the claim that wind energy is considered a clean, renewable resource?

• Wind energy is produced naturally.

• Wind energy is used without giving off greenhouse gases.

• There is an abundant supply of wind energy available for use.

• There are only certain places that are suitable for collecting wind energy.

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. They do not produce harmful emissions during operation. However, manufacturing solar panels requires energy and can create hazardous materials as waste products.

What is a disadvantage of using solar energy?

• High energy production

• Environmental impact during manufacturing

• Requires large areas of land

• Not a reliable source of energy

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