CCS Earth Science U3 Post

A student studies these two illustrations of the same area of land in the southern United States. The student concludes that a drought caused the stream to become dry. Which other explanation is most plausible to account for the difference between the illustrations?

• A. The water table beneath the stream moved to the surface.

• B. The stream banks became too eroded to hold water.

• C. The direction of water flow in the stream reversed.

• D. The stream changed course farther upstream.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

There are many natural rock formations such as the one shown here. Select the two processes that most likely removed the center portion of the rock and transported it to another location.

• A. glaciers

• B. moving water

• C. tectonic activity

• D. chemical weathering

• E. mechanical weathering

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Select the two processes in the rock cycle that must occur in order for magma to be converted to igneous rock.

• A. melting

• B. cooling

• C. heating

• D. weathering

• E. crystallization

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Eruption of a large volcano on a tropical island releases ash and gases into the atmosphere. After the eruption, the air temperatures on the island cool temporarily before returning to normal. Which is the most likely reason for the temporary cooling of the island?

• A) Water vapor condenses and causes precipitation.

• B) Large particles of ash blanket the ground surface.

• C) Fine particles of atmospheric dust block sunlight.

• D) Carbon dioxide levels increase in the atmosphere.

A mountain showed the following change in profile over millions of years. What happened to most of the material removed from the mountain?

• The material weathered to form new sediments.

• The material was absorbed by plant roots.

• The material disintegrated from exposure to sunlight.

• The material was destroyed by chemical reactions.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What effect do longshore currents have on sand particles on the beach?

• Sand dunes are created.

• Beach material is transported in the direction of the currents.

• Beach material is transported further inland making the beach area larger.

• Depressions are carved out in the beach allowing ocean water to advance inland.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

What is one effect the hydrosphere has on the lithosphere?

• erosion of rocks

• evaporation of water

• heating of the core

• melting of the crust

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

In the Four Corners area of the southwestern United States, there are large rocky outcroppings of basalt. These were formed by ancient lava flows. Using this information, what class of rock is this?

• metamorphic

• sedimentary

• igneous

• weathered

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

The arrows on the satellite image of a volcano point to features that radiate out from the crater found at the top of the volcano toward the base of the volcano. These indicated features of the volcano suggest which conclusion?

• A. The volcano is old enough to show erosion.

• B. The volcano is located on a hot spot.

• C. The eruption formed cracks in the side.

• D. The eruption caused extensive local rainfall.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

After Earth’s first atmosphere of hydrogen and helium was swept away by radiation from the Sun, other gases formed the next atmosphere. Which statement best describes how the newer atmosphere formed?

• A. Gravity from Earth slowly absorbed molecules of gas from space.

• B. Gases escaped from the interior of Earth through volcanic vents.

• C. Photosynthetic organisms released gases as a result of their life processes.

• D. Lava from erupting volcanoes heated surface rock until they reached the gas phase.