NEW
Font size
S
M
L
XL
WorksheetsEarth SOL Practice
Total questions: 58
Worksheet time: 29mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Scientists use volcanoes and earthquake activity to establish -
a)
borders between countries
b)
lines of latitude
c)
the density of rock layers
d)
plate boundaries
2.
The mineral in the above table that has a blue color and will scratch garnet is -
a)
magnetite
b)
topaz
c)
garnnet
d)
pyrite
3.
The longitude of Richmond, Virginia, on the above map is approximately -
a)
75⁰ W
b)
38⁰ W
c)
75⁰ N
d)
38⁰ N
4.
Which planet has a fierce hurricane-like storm that is several times the size of Earth?
a)
Saturn
b)
Venus
c)
Mars
d)
Jupiter
5.
Which of these provides the best evidence of the environment in which an igneous rock was formed?
a)
Thickness
b)
Size
c)
Color
d)
Texture
6.
Rocks formed by the cementing of weathered materials are called -
a)
magma
b)
sedimentary rocks
c)
basalt
d)
extrusive igneous rocks
7.
Scientists use the rock cycle to describe the processes by which -
a)
mineral crystals and compositions are identified
b)
all different types of fossils were transformed into rock
c)
tectonic plates shift around the earth's surface
d)
one type of rock can be changed into another type of rock
8.
According to Mohs Hardness Scale, which of these groups of minerals can scratch fluorite?
a)
Calcite, quartz, and topaz
b)
Diamond, gypsum, and quartz
c)
Talc, gypsum, and calcite
d)
Apatite, orthoclase, and corundum
9.
According to the above diagram, the water supply will be most consistent in well -
a)
2
b)
4
c)
3
d)
1
10.
The diagram shown illustrates which geological process?
a)
Folding
b)
Faulting
c)
Weathering
d)
Metamorphism
11.
The layer in the above soil profile that is bedrock is -
a)
2
b)
4
c)
1
d)
3
12.
While on vacation, a student visits the area around a volcano that has recently erupted. The student can expect to find samples of -
a)
extrusive igneous rock
b)
clastic sedimentary rock
c)
nonfoliated metamorphic rock
d)
chemically formed sedimentary rock
13.
Release of CFCs and similar compounds are a possible cause of -
a)
increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration
b)
destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere
c)
acid rain in the northeast U.S.
d)
greenhouse gas build-up in the lower atmosphere
14.
Which image below best represents our galaxy?
a)
G
b)
J
c)
F
d)
H
15.
In the gold rush of 1849, prospectors found a yellow mineral that appeared to be gold, but was harder and more brittle than gold. What is this mineral that came to be called "fool's gold"?
a)
Calcite
b)
Pyrite
c)
Copper
d)
Sullfur
16.
Based on the changes between the weather conditions, which of these most likely passed by the weather station between time 1 and time 2?
a)
Cold front
b)
Warm front
c)
Low pressure area
d)
Thunderstorm
17.
Which of the following may preserve ancient remains of plants and animals?
a)
Foliated schist
b)
Folded gneiss
c)
Granitic intrusion
d)
Volcanic ash
18.
Which natural resource found in Virginia is a common source of energy?
a)
Coal
b)
Bauxite
c)
Limestone
d)
Zinc
19.
Glass is chemically related to what mineral?
a)
Halite
b)
Quartz
c)
Pyrite
d)
Fluorite
20.
This model shows the Earth's position relative to the sun. At the time of year shown by the model, the areas receiving the most direct sunlight will be near the -
a)
Arctic Circle
b)
Tropic of Cancer
c)
Tropic of Capricorn
d)
Equator
21.
The sequence of pictures above shows the same portion of the night sky over a number of years. Which of the following is an observation about the pair of stars on the left?
a)
They are moving to the right.
b)
One of them is increasing in brightness as the other one dims.
c)
They appear to be revolving around each other.
d)
They have a sister star that is only occasionally visible.
22.
The pictures show the same stars at different times. Which hypothesis is best supported by these data?
a)
One star is moving around another star.
b)
The biggest star is closest to the Earth.
c)
The three stars are moving very fast.
d)
The stars are moving toward one another.
23.
All of the following supports the theory of continental drift except that -
a)
there are similar fossils on different continents
b)
the North Pole and Antarctica are covered with ice
c)
mountain ranges in South America and Africa line up
d)
the continents seem to fit together like pieces of a puzzle
24.
Oil spills have a tremendous impact on the ocean environment, and the oil must be cleaned up after these spills. A new technique for cleaning oil from beaches is called bioremediation. This technique uses naturally occurring bacteria to break down the oil. How is this accomplished?
a)
The bacteria pull the oil down to the ocean floor.
b)
The bacteria chemically change the oil into less harmful substances.
c)
The bacteria bind with the oil and bring it to land.
d)
The bacteria die and absorb the oil.
25.
A student sees a very bright star in the sky and thinks it might be the planet Venus. Which observation would lend support to this conclusion?
a)
After a few minutes, its position relative to the
surrounding stars has changed significantly.
surrounding stars has changed significantly.
b)
After a month, its position relative to the surrounding
stars has changed.
stars has changed.
c)
After an hour, its brightness has faded significantly.
d)
After an hour, its position relative to the horizon
has changed.
has changed.
26.
Not all fossils have been preserved inside soil or rock. Explorers in Siberia have discovered the bodies of ancient mammoths so well-preserved that the flesh could be eaten. What do you think preserved the mammoths in such a perfect state?
a)
Ice
b)
Carbon dioxide
c)
Water
d)
Lead mold
27.
The amount of power that can be generated by a hydroelectric dam would be most dependent on which two factors?
a)
The temperature of the water and the amount
of oxygen that it contains
of oxygen that it contains
b)
The volume of water going over the dam and
the distance the water falls
the distance the water falls
c)
The surface area of the reservoir and the
shape of the reservoir floor
shape of the reservoir floor
d)
The width of the dam and the construction
material of the dam
material of the dam
28.
The mineral resources of Virginia can be conserved by doing all of the following except -
a)
reusing
b)
regenerating
c)
reducing
d)
recycling
29.
Which diagram correctly shows wind motion between pressure areas?
a)
H
b)
F
c)
I
d)
G
30.
According to the data shown in the graph, the hypothesis is only correct for latitudes -
a)
from the poles to 40° from the equator
b)
up to 40° from the equator
c)
between 20° and 60° from the equator
d)
farthest from the equator
31.
Saturn's volume is 762 times the volume of Earth, and yet its mass is only about 95 times that of Earth's mass. This is due to Saturn's -
a)
low density
b)
thousands of rings
c)
temperature
d)
distance from the sun
32.
When the Earth is at its greatest distance from the sun, its Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, as shown in the drawing. What season takes place in the Southern Hemisphere at this time?
a)
Spring
b)
Summer
c)
Winter
d)
Autumn
33.
The drawing above shows the water table in the vicinity of a newly drilled well. Which of the drawings below shows the appearance of the water table several months later when the well has been in regular use?
a)
F
b)
G
c)
H
d)
I
34.
The sun emits energy by converting hydrogen into helium. What is this process called?
a)
Solar wind
b)
Fission
c)
Sunspot formation
d)
Fusion
35.
A light-year measures -
a)
brightness
b)
time
c)
distance
d)
radiation
36.
Students want to compare the relative ability of four materials to absorb heat. The materials they have chosen are light-colored sand, black sand, clear water, and water that has been dyed black. They plan to heat the substances and then measure their temperature every 10 minutes with a thermometer. Which experimental design would best suit their purpose?
a)
F
b)
G
c)
H
d)
J
37.
Some towns in the United States have had to limit the number of wood-burning stoves for environmental reasons. What is the greatest problem caused by the use of wood-burning stoves?
a)
The smoke from the stoves contributes to air pollution.
b)
The heat from the stoves causes thermal pollution.
c)
The wood is a scarce fossil fuel.
d)
The manufacture of the stoves requires iron, which is a rare metal.
38.
From the Piedmont province to the Coastal Plain, the land drops as much as several hundred feet. This drop, which is abrupt in some places and gradual in others, is known as the Fall Line. What feature(s) would rivers exhibit when they cross the Fall Line?
a)
Sudden increase in water volume
b)
Significantly higher water temperatures
c)
Shallow beds and slow currents
d)
Waterfalls and rapids
39.
The picture shows the layers in the bank of a river. The differences in the size of the particles in the layers are most likely caused by differences in the -
a)
speed of the water carrying the sediments
b)
types of plants living on the bank
c)
thickness of winter ice in the river
d)
types of animals digging in the sediments
40.
Which geologic event occurred first?
a)
Iceland formed at the mid-Atlantic ridge.
b)
India collided with Asia, forming the Himalayan Mountains.
c)
South America and Africa split apart.
d)
Pangaea underwent formation.
41.
Which of the following would have the greatest salinity?
a)
Mediterranean
b)
Arctic
c)
Pacific
d)
Atlantic
42.
How many advances of ice are indicated by the core sample?
a)
Three
b)
Eight
c)
Two
d)
Five
43.
According to the data shown by the graph, the warmest air during the summer will be found -
a)
closest to North Lake
b)
closest to the water level of the lakes
c)
above the land between the lakes
d)
above South Lake
44.
What is the actual distance represented by 1 inch on this map?
a)
24,000 inches
b)
40 feet
c)
48,000 inches
d)
24 feet
45.
Which of these elements does this star contain?
a)
Mercury
b)
Calcium
c)
Sodium
d)
Neon
46.
Which layer of the sun is the most dense?
a)
Core
b)
Chromosphere
c)
Photosphere
d)
Corona
47.
More of the upper block's formation is missing mainly due to
a)
presence of more igneous rock in the block
b)
less deformation than in the lower block
c)
erosion of the upper layers' surfaces
d)
lower layers subjected to less pressure
48.
Virginia has large deposits of sand and gravel. These are usually found in areas where -
a)
water once flowed
b)
swamps once were present
c)
the water table was once very low
d)
lava once covered the ground
49.
What is one of the major indications that the Earth's climate has varied over time?
a)
Magnetic reversals in layers of rock
b)
Land forms carved by glaciers in temperate areas
c)
Depletion of oxygen in lakes and rivers
d)
Ocean currents
50.
The map shows some of the bedrock in Virginia. Which of these has the oldest exposed bedrock?
a)
Hightown Valley
b)
Jack Mountain
c)
Bull Pasture
d)
Monterey
51.
The chart shows the relationship between altitude and air pressure. What is the approximate air pressure at an altitude of 22 kilometers?
a)
400 millibars
b)
40 millibars
c)
120 millibars
d)
200 millibars
52.
What is the best evidence that many different geologic periods are represented in Virginia?
a)
The length of its rivers
b)
The amount of chemical weathering
c)
The presence of fossils of different ages
d)
The location of the Piedmont
53.
Which of the following was primarily responsible for the development of life outside of the oceans?
a)
A decrease in atmospheric hydrogen
b)
A decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide
c)
An increase in atmospheric oxygen
d)
An increase in atmospheric nitrogen
54.
Which diagram below best represents the most common arrangement of zones in a water table?
a)
G
b)
F
c)
I
d)
H
55.
Organic matter in soil is made from -
a)
acid rain
b)
weathered parent rock
c)
decayed plants and animals
d)
carbon dioxide
56.
The folding and faulting found in the rocks of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia were created by -
a)
collisions of continental plates
b)
heating and cooling of the prehistoric atmosphere
c)
the Coriolis effect
d)
wave action of prehistoric ocean
57.
Some fuels are classified as nonrenewable because they -
a)
come from deep within Earth
b)
produce toxic waste
c)
require a long period of time to form
d)
can be easily recycled
58.
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?
a)
Iridium found in meteorites is also present in rock layers that are 66.4 million years old.
b)
Many asteroids are found between Mars
and Jupiter.
and Jupiter.
c)
The Cenozoic Era began 66.4 million
years ago when the Mesozoic Era ended.
years ago when the Mesozoic Era ended.
d)
Many other meteorite impact sites have been identified on Earth
Reset
