8th ELA GMAS Spiral#4

According to the passage, what evidence challenges the impact theory?

• The presence of iridium layers

• The discovery of shocked quartz

• The absence of a crater

• The existence of tektites

The impact theory regarding the Moon's origin suggests that:

• The Moon was captured by Earth's gravity.

• The Moon formed from the debris of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.

• The Moon was formed alongside Earth from the primordial accretion disk.

• The Moon is a fragment of Earth that broke away.

Scientists believe the Moon was formed according to the impact theory by:

• a giant impact between Earth and a Mars-sized body.

• a gradual accumulation of space dust and debris.

• the capture of a wandering asteroid by Earth's gravity.

• the fission of a part of Earth due to its rapid rotation.

The impact theory is considered a popular explanation for the Moon's origin because:

• it suggests the Moon was formed from debris after a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.

• it explains the Moon's current orbit and composition.

• it is supported by evidence from lunar rock samples.

• it is the only theory that accounts for the Moon's size and distance from Earth.

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CCSS.RI.8.1

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Recent findings have sparked debate about the Moon's molecular structure. What are these findings?

• Discovery of water molecules in the Moon's sunlit regions

• Detection of helium-3 on the Moon's surface

• Presence of iron-rich minerals

• Evidence of volcanic activity

Some people still believe in other theories about the Moon's origin despite the impact theory because:

• they are unaware of the impact theory.

• they find other theories more convincing.

• they distrust scientific consensus.

• they have cultural or personal beliefs.

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Which BEST summarizes how the author of “A Giant Impact” responds to the evidence of similar ratios of titanium isotopes on Earth and the Moon?

• The author uses this supporting evidence to show that the impact theory has merit. Although the author uses this evidence to help promote the impact theory, the evidence actually conflicts with the impact theory rather than supporting it.

• The author uses this conflicting evidence to ask questions about other origin theories. While the evidence conflicts with the impact theory, the author does not use these data to ask questions about other theories.

• The author uses this supporting evidence to create a new and complete theory. While the author uses the evidence to revise the impact theory, the author does not recreate the theory; in addition, the evidence is conflicting, not supporting.

• The author uses this conflicting evidence to help clarify details of the impact theory. This evidence conflicts with the basis of the impact theory, but the author takes the opportunity to help clarify and further define the hypothesis.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.6

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Read the fifth sentence from paragraph 3 of “A Giant Impact.” How does this sentence contribute to the overall meaning of the paragraph?

• A. It supports the idea that the Moon's structure is more complicated than originally thought.

• B. It shows how computer models were able to recreate the origin of the Moon.

• C. It states the author's opinion about the impact theory.

• D. It helps to explain why the impact theory is valid.

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CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

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In “Captured by Earth,” why is it important that the author explains how the Moon’s orbit changed over time?

• These details indicate how Earth was able to slowly capture the Moon.

• The explanation shows why the capture theory is not popular.

• The explanation suggests that the capture theory has some flaws.

• These details show that the Moon once orbited around the Sun.

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According to the author of “Captured by Earth,” what is one argument used to dispute the capture theory?

• The Moon formed when an object collided with Earth.

• The Moon once followed an elliptical path around Earth.

• Earth was very cool when the Moon formed.

• Earth and the Moon have some of the same chemicals.