Earth Systems

A city wants to reduce flooding and slow erosion along its riverbanks. Which plan is best?

• Plant native plants and restore wetlands to slow water and hold soil in place.

• Build concrete walls and remove plants to block water from reaching riverbanks fast.

• Cover riverbanks with gravel and dig trenches to direct water into the river.

• Install tall fences and spray chemicals to prevent water from flowing near the banks during storms.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

A hiking trail shows exposed roots and loose rocks after heavy rain. Which process sequence explains this?

• Rain weathers rocks, erosion moves soil, deposition leaves rocks and roots exposed.

• Erosion breaks rocks, weathering moves roots, deposition covers the trail with new soil.

• Weathering deposits soil, erosion forms rocks, deposition exposes roots and rocks.

• Deposition breaks rocks, weathering moves soil, erosion exposes tree roots and rocks nearby.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A developer wants to build homes on a coastal bluff. Which investigation best predicts landform change?

• Study erosion rates, rainfall patterns, and storm surges affecting the bluff’s stability.

• Measure soil temperature daily for a year to track changes in the bluff surface.

• Count the number of plants growing on the bluff during each season of the year.

• Record the number of birds nesting on the bluff during spring and fall each year.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

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NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A river delta grows larger each year. Which explanation best combines water cycle and surface processes?

• Erosion carries sediment, deposition increases at the delta as river water slows down.

• Weathering forms new land, and increased precipitation causes the delta to grow rapidly.

• Condensation in clouds causes rain, making the delta grow faster with more rainfall.

• Evaporation from the riverbed leaves more soil behind at the delta every summer season.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A science team wants to compare how surfaces affect erosion during rainfall. Which test is best?

• Test bare soil, grass, and gravel slopes with rain, measuring sediment from each slope.

• Pour water on each surface and observe how quickly it evaporates after rainfall ends.

• Measure the temperature of each surface before and after simulated rainfall occurs.

• Place rocks on each surface and see which ones break down fastest with rainfall.

A region has landslides after drought and rain. What is the most likely scientific explanation?

• Drought weakens soil, then rain increases erosion and causes landslides on steep slopes.

• Heavy rain causes weathering, which dries out the soil and prevents any landslides.

• Drought increases deposition, so rain cannot move soil or rocks downhill very quickly.

• Rainfall causes condensation, which strengthens soil and prevents landslides from happening.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS3-2

A school wants a model showing the water cycle shaping landforms. Which design is best?

• Use soil, a lamp, water, and a fan to simulate evaporation, rain, and erosion.

• Fill a tray with sand and pour water over it without any heat or wind.

• Place rocks in a tray and measure their temperature after adding water to them.

• Use a sealed container with water and ice to show condensation and melting inside.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

A town is losing beach sand each year. Which solution best addresses erosion and deposition?

• Restore dunes with plants and allow sand movement to rebuild the natural beach.

• Remove all plants and build a concrete wall to block waves from reaching sand.

• Import sand from another location and spread it on the beach every summer season.

• Dig trenches to trap water and prevent ocean waves from reaching the sandy beach.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

A river’s course changes after flooding, creating new landforms. Which explanation is most complete?

• Flooding increases erosion and deposition, reshaping land as water moves and drops sediment.

• Weathering only breaks rocks, so the river change is unrelated to any of these processes.

• Deposition removes soil, while erosion adds new land, changing the river’s path completely.

• The water cycle has no effect on rivers or landform changes after a major flood event.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

A park must minimize erosion, support the water cycle, and create diverse landforms. Which plan works?

• Include hills, plant native vegetation, and create a pond to collect and filter rainwater.

• Cover all ground with concrete and install drains to remove rainwater from the park.

• Build only flat open fields with no trees or water features in the entire park.

• Remove all vegetation and use gravel to cover every surface in the new park area.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

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