EARTH SCIENCE REVIEW

Miguel and Abigail were observing the sky and noticed that clouds form when water changes from

• gas to liquid.

• liquid to gas.

• solid to gas.

• solid to liquid

Answer explanation

Clouds form when water vapor (gas) cools and condenses into tiny droplets (liquid). This process is known as condensation, making 'gas to liquid' the correct answer.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

During a school science project, Dustin and Abigail observed different types of precipitation. Which type of precipitation reaches Earth's surface as large pellets of ice?

• hail

• rain

• sleet

• snow

Answer explanation

Hail is a type of precipitation that forms in strong thunderstorms and reaches the Earth's surface as large pellets of ice. Unlike rain, sleet, or snow, hail is characterized by its solid ice structure.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

During a school camping trip, Carson and Sophia noticed different weather patterns. Which of these sinking-air situations usually brings fair weather?

• air mass

• cold front

• high-pressure system

• low-pressure system

Answer explanation

A high-pressure system is associated with sinking air, which inhibits cloud formation and leads to clear skies, resulting in fair weather. In contrast, low-pressure systems typically bring clouds and precipitation.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Javier and Griselda are planning a winter camping trip. They want to know which air mass will bring cold, dry air to their campsite.

• continental polar

• continental tropical

• maritime tropical

• maritime polar

Answer explanation

The continental polar air mass is characterized by cold, dry air, originating over land in polar regions. In contrast, other air masses like maritime tropical contain warm, moist air.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

During a weather project, Carson and Sophia observed a weather pattern. How does this type of front form?

• A cold front overtakes a warm front.

• Cold air moves toward warmer air.

• The boundary between two fronts stalls.

• Warm air moves toward colder air.

Answer explanation

Cold air moves toward warmer air, creating a front as the denser cold air pushes under the lighter warm air, leading to the formation of a cold front.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

During a science class, Miguel and Sophia were learning about weather instruments. Which instrument did they find out is used to measure wind speed?

• anemometer

• barometer

• psychrometer

• thermometer

Answer explanation

An anemometer is the instrument specifically designed to measure wind speed. In contrast, a barometer measures atmospheric pressure, a psychrometer measures humidity, and a thermometer measures temperature.

Lakelyn and Carson are comparing how quickly different surfaces heat up under the sun. They notice that the specific heat of water is __________ than the specific heat of land.

• higher

• lower

• less efficient

• more efficient

Answer explanation

The specific heat of water is higher than that of land, meaning water can absorb more heat without a significant change in temperature, making it more effective in regulating temperature compared to land.

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NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Miguel and Sophia are studying a graph that shows average monthly temperature and precipitation of an area over the course of a year. Which is the most likely location of the area?

• in the middle of a large continent

• in the middle of the ocean

• near the North Pole

• on the coast of a large continent

Answer explanation

The temperature and precipitation patterns suggest a continental climate, typical of areas far from oceans. This aligns with locations in the middle of a large continent, where seasonal variations are more pronounced.

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NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Griselda and Miguel are planning a trip to South America in July. Based on Earth's position as it revolves around the Sun, which season will it be in the southern hemisphere during their visit?

• fall

• spring

• summer

• winter

Answer explanation

In July, the southern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, resulting in colder temperatures. This corresponds to winter in that region, while the northern hemisphere experiences summer.

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NGSS.MS-ESS1-1

During a science class, Mackenzie and Miguel were discussing various gases in the atmosphere. Mackenzie asked, "Which is not a greenhouse gas?"

• carbon dioxide

• methane

• oxygen

• water vapor

Answer explanation

Oxygen is not a greenhouse gas. While carbon dioxide, methane, and water vapor trap heat in the atmosphere, oxygen does not contribute to the greenhouse effect.