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WorksheetsSSA Earth Science
Total questions: 48
Worksheet time: 1hrs 16mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of these parts of the Earth system are interacting when Florida’s orange trees grow?
a)
biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere
b)
geosphere, cryosphere, and atmosphere
c)
biosphere, hydrosphere, and cryosphere
d)
cryosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere
2.
The picture below shows a coastline. During the day, water from the ocean is transferred to the atmosphere. Which of these statements describes the energy change that takes place during the transfer?
a)
Energy is transported from the atmosphere to the ocean, which makes the ocean warmer
b)
Energy is transported from the atmosphere to the ocean, which makes the ocean cooler.
c)
Energy is transported from the ocean to the atmosphere, which makes the atmosphere warmer.
d)
Energy is transported from the ocean to the atmosphere, which makes the atmosphere cooler.
3.
The Florida Current was first reported by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513 when he discovered Florida. As seen in the following map, the Florida Current flows around the southern tip of Florida and up the East Coast. How does the Florida Current most likely affect the climate of cities along the coast of southern Florida, such as Miami?
a)
It brings more wind, which makes the air less humid.
b)
It brings dry air, which contributes to hotter temperatures.
c)
It brings warm water, which makes the air temperature warmer.
d)
It brings cool water, which makes the air temperature cooler.
4.
Evaporation of water into the air is part of the water cycle. Precipitation of water back to Earth is also part of the water cycle. Both of these parts of the water cycle are shown in the following illustration. What role does the Floridian aquifer play in the water cycle?
a)
Water evaporates from the aquifer to enter the atmosphere.
b)
Water moves from the aquifer onto the surface in the form of precipitation.
c)
Water condenses so that water vapor changes into raindrops or snowflakes.
d)
Water seeps from the aquifer back into the Gulf of Mexico to help keep the cycle flowing
5.
The area in which you live has a particular climate. It also has weather. What is the difference between climate and weather?
a)
Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas weather is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
b)
Weather is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas climate is determined only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
c)
Climate is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas weather is the characteristic climate in an area over a long period of time.
d)
Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time.
6.
Ozone is a gas found mostly in the upper atmosphere. What is the main benefit of ozone?
a)
Ozone protects Earth from loose space debris.
b)
Ozone is responsible for rain, which provides water for Earth.
c)
Ozone traps gravity so that objects on Earth do not float away.
d)
Ozone filters out ultraviolet radiation from the sun and shields Earth from some of this harmful energy.
7.
Earth scientists have identified four distinct layers of the atmosphere. What is the correct order of these layers from lowest to highest in the atmosphere?
a)
stratosphere, troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
b)
thermosphere, mesosphere, stratosphere, troposphere
c)
troposphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, stratosphere
d)
troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere
8.
The temperatures in Gainesville, Florida, vary more than the temperatures in Miami, Florida. The map shows the locations of both of these cities. How can the locations of the two cities explain the differences in their temperature ranges?
a)
Gainesville is farther north than Miami, so latitude will make its temperatures vary more widely.
b)
Miami is closer to the ocean, and winds from the ocean cause its temperatures to vary greatly.
c)
Miami is closer to the ocean, which affects its climate by keeping its temperatures more consistent.
d)
Gainesville is further inland, which affects its climate by keeping it warmer at night and colder during the day.
9.
Wind, which affects precipitation and temperature and therefore climate, is driven by the sun’s energy. Which best explains how the sun’s energy affects winds?
a)
The sun causes consistent air pressure in the atmosphere, which leads to even heating, which causes winds.
b)
The sun causes differences in air pressure that lead to differential heating of the atmosphere, which causes winds.
c)
The sun causes differential heating of the atmosphere, which leads to differences in air pressure that cause winds.
d)
The sun causes even heating of the atmosphere, which leads to constant air pressure in the atmosphere, which causes winds.
10.
The sun’s energy influences climate in different ways. For example, the latitudes at the equator receive more energy from the sun and therefore have warmer temperatures. How does the sun’s energy most directly influence precipitation in a climate?
a)
The sun’s energy drives the water cycle, which determines precipitation
b)
The sun’s energy creates wind patterns that bring precipitation to different areas.
c)
The sun’s energy controls the amount of condensation and therefore precipitation
d)
The sun’s energy starts the water cycle by causing percolation, which leads to precipitation.
11.
Which of the following occurs because of convection currents?
a)
Tectonic plates on the crust move.
b)
The mantle increases in size.
c)
Pressure in the crust increases.
d)
Pressure in the crust decreases.
12.
Scientists think that convection currents that move the plates flow in Earth's
a)
Continental crust
b)
Oceanic crust
c)
Asthenosphere
d)
Lithosphere
13.
The physical layer of Earth made of solid rock and soil is called the ___________.
a)
mesosphere
b)
lithosphere
c)
asthenosphere
d)
mantle
14.
Name the boundary
a)
convergent boundary
b)
divergent boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
sergent boundary
15.
Name the boundary
a)
convergent boundary
b)
divergent boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
sergent boundary
16.
Name the boundary
a)
convergent boundary
b)
divergent boundary
c)
transform boundary
d)
sergent boundary
17.
During sea floor spreading, molten material rises up from the mantle...
a)
along the continents
b)
at the mid ocean ridges
c)
deep ocean trenches
d)
at north and south poles
18.
Associated with transform boundaries.
a)
Volcanoes
b)
mountains
c)
trenches
d)
earthquakes
19.
Oceanic crust is
a)
Younger and less dense than continental crust
b)
Thinner, younger and more dense than continental crust
c)
Older, thicker and less dense that continental crust
d)
Bigger and younger than continental crust
20.
An area of land completely surrounded on all sides by water
a)
Peninsula
b)
Island
c)
River Mouth
d)
Delta
21.
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides; often with a stream flowing through it
a)
Basin
b)
Valley
c)
Canyon
d)
Flood Plain
22.
A landform that rises steeply and is high above the surrounding land
a)
Strait
b)
Basin
c)
Mountain
d)
Bay
23.
A huge slow-moving mass of ice
a)
Mountain
b)
Glacier
c)
Volcano
d)
Delta
24.
The interaction between the cryosphere and hydrosphere can have an impact on Earth’s oceans. Which ofthe following is an example of an interaction between the cryosphere and hydrosphere?
a)
evaporation of water from oceans at the equator
b)
release of fresh water into ocean water as icebergs melt
c)
decomposition of organic matter at the bottom of oceans
d)
release of large amounts of salt from icebergs into the ocean
25.
One physical property of a star is apparent magnitude. Which of the following is used in determining the apparent magnitude of a star?
a)
the constellation the star is in
b)
the distance the star is from Earth
c)
the number of times the star rotates
d)
the number of prominences the star makes
26.
The surface of Mercury has many more craters than the surface of Earth has. Which of the following statements best explains why Mercury has many more craters than Earth has?
a)
Mercury rotates faster than Earth does.
b)
Mercury has a smaller mass then Earth does.
c)
Mercury is much closer to the Sun than Earth is
d)
Mercury has a thinner atmosphere than Earth does.
27.
The water level at the beach changes during the day. What causes the different water levels?
a)
Earth’s revolution
b)
the Moon’s rotation
c)
Earth’s magnetic field
d)
the Moon’s gravitational pull
28.
The arrows in the picture below show several ways heat is transferred from the Sun as it strikes sand on the surface of a beach.Which arrow shows convection?
a)
1
b)
2
c)
3
d)
4
29.
The graph below shows the relative sizes and surface temperatures of four groups of stars. The surface temperature of the stars is measured in Kelvin (K). The sun is part of the main sequence group.According to the graph, how is the Sun best described?
a)
massive sized, with a surface temperature of approximately 20,000 K
b)
massive sized, with a surface temperature of approximately 10,000 K
c)
average sized , with a surface temperature of approximately 8,000 K
d)
average sized, with a surface temperature of approximately 6,000 K
30.
The picture below shows a simple model of the rock cycle. Use the picture to answer any questions that follow.What needs to happen at point 3 for igneous rock to transform into sedimentary rock?
a)
Weathering and erosion need to wear away the igneous rock, forming particles that will eventually compact and cement into sedimentary rock.
b)
Low temperatures at the poles need to freeze the igneous rock, cooling and hardening it into extremely dense sedimentary rock.
c)
Tectonic plates must collide near the igneous rock, driving it under the surface, where it melts into sedimentary rock.
d)
High pressures need to compact the igneous rock, eventually melting it and forming sedimentary rock as it cools.
31.
Emily used a tray filled with dirt as a model of a stream. Emily poured water into the top of the tray and observed how much erosion happened. Emily then increased the slope of the tray and repeated the experiment.What would happen when the slope of the tray increased?
a)
The speed of the water and the amount of erosion would increase.
b)
The speed of the water and the amount of erosion would decrease.
c)
The speed of the water would increase, while the amount of erosion would decrease.
d)
The speed of the water would decrease, while the amount of erosion would increase
32.
The picture below shows a model of the planets in the solar system. Use the picture to answer any questions that follow. How can students benefit from using this model?
a)
They can observe the order of the planetary bodies and compare their sizes.
b)
They can determine the rotational movement of each planet on its axis.
c)
They can study the density of the atmospheres surrounding each planet.
d)
They can observe the detailed surface features of each planet.
33.
The oldest rock formation on Earth is found on the shoreline of Hudson Bay in Canada. This rock formed 4.28 billion years ago. Which information does a scientist need to most accurately determine the age of a rock?
a)
the percentage of each mineral that makes up the rock
b)
the thickness of younger rock layers that cover the rock
c)
the amount of each radioactive element present in the rock
d)
the amount of weathering present on the surface of the rock
34.
The model below shows how mountains build on Earth's crust through the movement of tectonic plates X and Y.When does this type of mountain building occur?
a)
when continental plates X and Y, having different densities, diverge and deposit soil in large mounds
b)
when continental plates X and Y, having similar densities, converge and push Earth's crust upward
c)
when continental plate X and oceanic plate Y, having different densities, collide
d)
when continental plate X and oceanic plate Y, having similar densities, separate
35.
The diagram below shows the relative positions of the sun, the moon, and Earth. Which solar system event does the diagram show?
a)
A solar eclipse
b)
A lunar eclipse
c)
A first quarter moon
d)
A third quarter moon
36.
One of the largest deltas in Florida is the delta of the Apalachicola River in northwest Florida. When there is plenty of rain, most of the sediments are deposited into the delta area in the Gulf of Mexico. What usually happens to river sediments when there has been little rain and the water level of the river is low?
a)
They are also deposited in the delta area.
b)
They remain suspended in the river water.
c)
There are no sediments when the water is low.
d)
There is little movement of the sediments.
37.
Astronomers study the stars, while lepidopterists study butterflies. However, the methods used by one would be very familiar to the other. Which of the following best explains why this is true?
a)
Both share their results with other members of their communities.
b)
Both use telescopes to observe their subjects.
c)
Both require the same basic set of scientific knowledge of animals.
d)
Both collect data and analyze it to better understand the world.
38.
Limestone can be found at the top of the Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. Limestone is a rock that usually forms at the bottom of shallow, warm waters. What does this information show about Earth?
a)
It shows that Earth has not changed much over the years as limestone has adapted to forming on mountain peaks.
b)
It shows that Earth has evolved over time as areas of land that have once been covered in water, but no longer are.
c)
It shows that Earth circulates its minerals so often that limestone always ends up on the peaks of mountains.
d)
It shows that Earth has mostly convergent plate boundaries that push limestone from the ocean floor to the top of mountains.
39.
How does chemical weathering differ from physical weathering?
a)
Human activity causes chemical weathering but does not cause physical weathering
b)
Chemical weathering does not break rocks down into smaller parts, but physical weathering does.
c)
Chemical weathering is acid precipitation and pressure, and physical weathering is wind and temperature changes.
d)
Chemical weathering happens when the bonds that hold minerals together break; physical weathering happens when physical actions wear away and crack the rocks.
40.
As a river enters a sea, a delta often forms as sediment is laid down. Which statement describes where erosion and deposition mainly take place?
a)
Erosion takes place at the delta, and deposition takes place along the river.
b)
Erosion takes place along the river, and deposition takes place at the delta.
c)
Erosion takes place at the delta, and deposition takes place only at the top of the river.
d)
Erosion takes place only at the top of the river, and deposition takes place at the delta.
41.
Rainwater can break down rocks by dissolving minerals in the rocks. Acid rain is rainwater that is more acidic than normal rainwater. Acid rain can also dissolve the minerals in rocks faster than normal rainwater can. Which statement about acid rain is true?
a)
Acid rain causes less erosion than normal rainwater does.
b)
Acid rain causes more erosion than normal rainwater does.
c)
Acid rain causes less weathering than normal rainwater does.
d)
Acid rain causes more weathering than normal rainwater does.
42.
Although Florida faces the Atlantic Ocean, the state rests entirely upon a continental plate. However, a continental plate can have a boundary with an oceanic plate. The illustration below shows a continental-oceanic boundary. What can you conclude from this illustration?
a)
The two tectonic plates are sliding past each other to cause an earthquake.
b)
The two tectonic plates are moving apart to create a mid-ocean ridge on the sea floor.
c)
The two tectonic plates are converging so that a mountain range forms on the land surface.
d)
The two tectonic plates are converging so that the ground will sink beneath the surface of the Earth.
43.
A boundary is a place where two tectonic plates touch. There are several types of tectonic plate boundaries. Which of these answers shows the correct definition of the tectonic plate boundary?
a)
At a divergent boundary, plates separate.
b)
At a transform boundary, plates come together.
c)
At a convergent boundary, plates slide past each other.
d)
At a stationary boundary, plates either collide, move apart, or slide past each other.
44.
Earth has several main compositional layers, one of which is the mantle. Which answer describes the mantle?
a)
the thin and solid outermost layer
b)
the liquid layer that encloses a solid ball of iron and nickel
c)
the innermost layer of solid iron and nickel
d)
the hot, convecting layer of rock between the crust and the outer core
45.
The illustration below shows what scientists think is happening in Earth’s mantle. What process is taking place in the mantle?
a)
Hot rock expands, becomes less dense, and rises toward the surface of Earth
b)
Hot rock expands, becomes denser, and rises toward the surface of Earth.
c)
Hot rock becomes less dense and starts to move in the direction of the outer core.
d)
Hot rock becomes denser and starts to move in the direction of the outer core.
46.
The picture shows the rock layers in one part of the Grand Canyon. What is the order of rock layers, from oldest to youngest?
a)
1, 2, 3, 4
b)
2, 1, 4, 3
c)
3, 4, 1, 2
d)
4, 3, 2, 1
47.
Which are the main causes of crack growth in rocks over time?
a)
plant roots and ice wedging
b)
ice wedging and wind abrasion
c)
animal burrowing and plant roots
d)
animal burrowing and wind abrasion
48.
Fossils of the same plants and animals are found on continents that are on different sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Which of these statements does this observation support?
a)
These animals and plants crossed the Atlantic Ocean.
b)
The Atlantic Ocean was once a large body of freshwater.
c)
The continents that are now on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean once formed a single landmass.
d)
The continents that are now on opposites sides of the Atlantic Ocean have the same kinds of animals and plants today.
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