Vocabulary list - Earth & environmental science

Which sphere includes all Earth’s water in any form such as oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and water vapor?

• Atmosphere around the planet

• Hydrosphere of Earth’s water

• Geosphere of solid rocks

• Biosphere of living things

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

Which term describes the solid parts of Earth, including rocks, minerals, landforms, and the planet’s interior?

• Cryosphere of ice

• Hydrosphere of water

• Geosphere of solids

• Biosphere of organisms

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Which sphere refers specifically to Earth’s frozen water, such as glaciers, sea ice, and permafrost?

• Geosphere of rocks

• Biosphere of organisms

• Hydrosphere of fluids

• Cryosphere of ice

All living organisms on Earth and the environments where they interact are part of the:

• Geosphere of rock

• Hydrosphere of water

• Atmosphere of air

• Biosphere of life

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-2

In Earth science, a system is best described as:

• A random set of items

• One part acting alone

• A single static object

• A group of interacting parts

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Energy in Earth systems is the capacity to do work or cause change. Which option lists sources that commonly drive Earth processes?

• Solar energy heating air

• Kinetic and thermal energy

• Chemical energy in reactions

• Magnetic energy in compasses

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-4

NGSS.MS-ESS2-1

Feedback in a system occurs when the output influences the system’s own activity. Which statements are true?

• Feedback ignores the output

• Negative feedback reduces change

• Feedback only happens in oceans

• Positive feedback amplifies change

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Topography is the arrangement of physical features of a region. Which features are part of topography?

• Air temperature

• Landform patterns

• Slope steepness

• Elevation differences

Match each landform term with its best description.

• Flat low area with little relief

• Plain

• Low area between higher lands

• Valley

• Large high landform with steep slopes

• Mountain

• High flat area elevated above surroundings

• Plateau

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

Which statement best describes a mountain?

• A coastal sandy shoreline

• A low area between hills

• A large landform with steep slopes

• A flat, gently rolling plain