2015 Released Earth Science SOL test

The fossil at point X has been dated to be 65 million years old. What can relative dating indicate about the fossil at point Y ?

• The age of the organism when it died
• The type of environment the organism lived in
• The distortion of organism by the fault
• The similar time period in which the organism lived

A scientist is studying energy transfer that occurs in the oceans, atmosphere, and Earth's interior. Which of these is the scientist most likely studying?

• Pressure
• Density
• Gravity
• Convection

Environmental effects of the impact of a meteorite 66.4 million years ago may have led to the extinction of many species on Earth. Which evidence best supports this theory?

• The Cenozoic Era began 66.4 million years ago when the Mesozoic Era ended.
• Iridium found in meteorites is also present in rock layers that are 66.4 million years old.
• Many other meteorite impact sites have been identified on Earth.
• Many asteroids are found between Mars and Jupiter.

About 2.0 billion years ago, complex organisms began to inhabit Earth. These complex organisms developed primarily because of —

• changes in atmosphere gases
• sunlight being absorbed by land
• the eruption of volcanoes
• the impact of comets

Which natural process is the main cause of the ocean currents shown?

• Convection
• Orbit of Earth
• Evaporation
• Drift of continents

At which range of altitude is air pressure closest to 40 kPa based on these data?

• Between 4.5 km and 6.0 km
• Between 6.0 km and 7.5 km
• Between 7.5 km and 9.0 km
• Between 9.0 km and 10.5 km

When a river flows into a lake, the velocity of the water decreases. Which sediments will most likely be in the numbered locations (1 to 3)?

• Sand grains, clay sized particles, large gravel
• Clay sized particles, large gravel, sand grains
• Clay sized particles, sand grains, large gravel
• large gravel, sand grains, clay sized particles

Which characteristic do all the planets in our solar system have in common?

• Angle of axial tilt
• Direction of revolution
• Percentages of atmospheric gases
• Features of a rocky crust

The picture shows a sinkhole. Which of these most likely caused this sinkhole to form?

• The collapse of the roof of a limestone cave
• The abrupt movement of two tectonic plates
• The thinning of topsoil due to forest clearing
• The impact of meteorite striking the surface of Earth

Identify the geologic time in which these organisms first appeared (1 to 4).

• Birds, fish, bacteria, humans
• Humans, bacteria, fish, birds
• Bacteria, birds, fish, humans
• Humans, birds, fish, bacteria