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Geoscience Semester Exam Study Guide

Total questions: 68

Worksheet time: 39mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which of Earth's four major spheres can be defined by the following?


Consists of the gases and air that surround Earth

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

2.

Which of Earth's four major spheres can be defined by the following?


Consists of all living organisms on Earth

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

3.

Which of Earth's four major spheres can be defined by the following?


Consists of rocks, minerals, crust, core, mantle, and even fossil fuels

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

4.

Which of Earth's four major spheres can be defined by the following?


Consists of both solid and liquid bodies of water

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

5.

Feedback loops are systems. How do feedback loops occur in Earth's different spheres?

a)

Feedback loop systems in Earth's spheres are interconnected and do not occur independently or in isolation

b)

Feedback loop systems in Earth's spheres are interconnected and occur independently or in isolation

c)

Feedback loop systems in Earth's spheres are not interconnected and do not occur independently or in isolation

d)

Feedback loop systems in Earth's spheres are not interconnected and occur independently or in isolation

6.

Feedback loops are systems. What are the components of a feedback loop? Select all that apply.

a)

Input

b)

Output

c)

Feedback

d)

Receptor

7.

Which option best describes the following statement?


An output of a feedback loop goes back into the system to increase/amplify the initial input (more and more and more...).

a)

Positive feedback loop

b)

Negative feedback loop

c)

Cycle

d)

720 Ollie Kickflip

8.

Which option best describes the following statement?


An output of a system returns the initial action to a state of equilibrium (it reverses the initial action).

a)

Positive feedback loop

b)

Negative feedback loop

c)

Cycle

d)

Blunt Stall 180 Out

9.

Which option best describes the following statement?


Arctic ice melts, reducing the amount of reflection (albedo), global temperatures increase, causing more ice to melt.

a)

Positive feedback loop

b)

Negative feedback loop

c)

Cycle

d)

Fakie 360 Flip

10.

Which option best describes the following statement?


Global temperatures increase, causing more evaporation, increased evaporation leads to increased cloud cover, decreasing incoming solar radiation, decreasing temperatures.

a)

Positive feedback loop

b)

Negative feedback loop

c)

Cycle

d)

720 McTwist

11.

Please read the following scenario and determine which two Earth systems are interacting.


Forests converting CO2 into oxygen. Please select the two spheres.

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

12.

Please read the following scenario and determine which two Earth systems are interacting.


A flashflood. Please select the two spheres.

a)

Atmosphere

b)

Biosphere

c)

Geosphere

d)

Hydrosphere

13.

The following is a property of water.


Solid water (ice) floats in liquid water.


Select the answer that best describes the property.

a)

Density

b)

Cohesion and Adhesion

c)

Polarity

d)

Solubility

14.

The following is a property of water.


The ability of water to stick to itself and to other substances.


Select the answer that best describes the property.

a)

Density

b)

Cohesion and Adhesion

c)

Polarity

d)

Solubility

15.

The following is a property of water.


The unequal sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen


Select the answer that best describes the property.

a)

Density

b)

Cohesion and Adhesion

c)

Polarity

d)

Solubility

16.

The following is a property of water.


The ability of water to dissolve other substances.


Select the answer that best describes the property.

a)

Density

b)

Cohesion and Adhesion

c)

Polarity

d)

Solubility

17.

Select all options that have a "high specific heat capacity" or that is a property of having a "high specific heat capacity".

a)

Water

b)

Takes a lot of energy to heat it up

c)

Holds onto heat very well (cools down slowly)

d)

Iron

e)

Does not hold onto heat very well (cools down quickly)

18.

Select all options that have a "low specific heat capacity" or that is a property of having a "low specific heat capacity".

a)

Water

b)

Takes very little energy to heat it up

c)

Holds onto heat very well (cools down slowly)

d)

Iron

e)

Does not hold onto heat very well (cools down quickly)

19.

A single water molecule is held together by which type of bond?

a)

Ionic

b)

Covalent

c)

Hydrogen

d)

Metallic

20.

Multiple water molecules are held together by which type of bonds?

a)

Ionic

b)

Covalent

c)

Hydrogen

d)

Metallic

21.

What is the breakdown of rocks through physical forces from heat, ice, water, or pressure?

a)

Mechanical weathering

b)

Chemical weathering

c)

Natural weathering

d)

Anthropogenic weathering

22.

What is the breakdown of rocks through reactions with water, acids, or oxygen?

a)

Mechanical weathering

b)

Chemical weathering

c)

Natural weathering

d)

Anthropogenic weathering

23.

Please select all answers that are a form of chemical weathering.

a)

Oxidation

b)

Hydrolysis

c)

Acidification

d)

Wind and water abrasion

e)

Exfoliation

24.

Please select all answers that are a form of mechanical weathering.

a)

Oxidation

b)

Hydrolysis

c)

Ice wedging

d)

Wind and water abrasion

e)

Exfoliation

25.

What gave the sandstone of Red Rock Canyon its world-famous red color?

a)

Chemical Weathering: Oxidation

b)

Mechanical Weathering: Oxidation

c)

Chemical Weathering: Hydrolysis

d)

Mechanical Weathering: Hydrolysis

26.

Small pieces of rocks formed from weathering are called _____________.

a)

Sediments

b)

Weathering

c)

Erosion

d)

Deposition

27.

The breaking down of rocks on Earth's surface over time into smaller pieces is called _____________.

a)

Sediments

b)

Weathering

c)

Erosion

d)

Deposition

28.

The transportation of small pieces of rocks by wind, water, or gravity is called _____________.

a)

Sediments

b)

Weathering

c)

Erosion

d)

Deposition

29.

The settling of small pieces of rocks is called _____________.

a)

Sediments

b)

Weathering

c)

Erosion

d)

Deposition

30.

Carbon Transfer Methods


atmosphere to biosphere (plants)

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Respiration

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

31.

Carbon Transfer Methods


Atmosphere to ocean

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Respiration

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

32.

Carbon Transfer Methods


biosphere to atmosphere (living organisms)

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Respiration

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

33.

Carbon Transfer Methods


biosphere to geosphere (dead organisms)

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Decomposition

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

34.

Carbon Transfer Methods


geosphere to atmosphere (fossil fuels)

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Decomposition

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

35.

Carbon Transfer Methods


biosphere to biosphere

a)

Photosynthesis

b)

Diffusion

c)

Decomposition

d)

Combustion

e)

Consumption

36.

Which of the following examples is a carbon sink?

a)

Oceans absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere

b)

Power plants burning coal to generate electricity

c)

Volcanoes erupting molten rock, carbon dioxide, and water vapor

d)

Refineries burning crude oil vapors to produce diesel

37.

As carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere, more and more is absorbed by the ocean. As a result, what happens to the pH of the oceans?

a)

Decreases

b)

Increases

38.

Increases in human activity altering the rates of natural processes, inaccessibility to all of Earth's rocks, the unpredictability of volcanic eruptions, etc., all make it difficult to account for all of Earth's carbon and predict future climate change. This describes what?

a)

The limitations of models

b)

The importance of models

c)

The strengths of models

d)

The responsibility of models

39.

Select both answers that are related to shortwave radiation.

a)

Visible Light, Ultraviolet Light, X-rays, Gamma Rays

b)

This is the type of radiation/energy that comes from the Sun

c)

Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Light

d)

This is the result of radiation/energy from the Sun being absorbed by Earth's various surfaces

40.

Select both answers that are related to longwave radiation.

a)

Visible Light, Ultraviolet Light, X-rays, Gamma Rays

b)

This is the type of radiation/energy that comes from the Sun

c)

Radio Waves, Microwaves, Infrared Light, Heat

d)

This is the result of radiation/energy from the Sun being absorbed by Earth's various surfaces

41.

Select all answers that are related to "natural climate change"

a)

Changes in average weather patterns without human influence

b)

Tectonic Activity

c)

Solar Activity

d)

Orbital Variations (Milankovitch Cycles)

e)

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

42.

Select all answers that are related to "anthropogenic climate change".

a)

Changes in average weather patterns from human influence

b)

Combustion of Fossil Fuels

c)

Deforestation

d)

Ocean Acidification

e)

Industrial Livestock Farming

43.

______________ is the daily changes in atmospheric conditions and helps you choose what clothes to wear.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

44.

______________ is the average atmospheric conditions of a location over a 30-year span and helps you determine what clothes to buy.

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

45.

Why can't the Milankovitch cycles explain Earth's current warming trend?

a)

The data for the Milankovitch cycles does not match the data for Earth's current climate patterns

b)

The data for the Milankovitch cycles match the data for Earth's current climate patterns

c)

Earth is too far from the Sun to affect Earth's orbit and surface temperatures

d)

Current satellites can detect Earth's rotation but not its surface temperatures

46.

What is this image illustrating?

a)

The Law of Conservation of Matter

b)

The Law of Conservation of Energy

c)

The Law of Superposition

d)

The Law of Equal Areas

47.

According to the graph, what do scientists predict the change in the average temperature of the ocean to be from the year 2030 to 2080?

a)

Increase about 1oC

b)

Increase by about 2oC

c)

Increase by about 1.5oC

d)

Increase by about 3.5oC

48.

According to the graph, what will the pH level of the ocean be in the year 2100?

a)

About 8.2

b)

About 12

c)

About 7.9

d)

About 20

49.

What are the events that have eliminated nearly all life throughout Earth's history?

a)

Mass extinction events

b)

Mass spawning events

c)

Mass migration events

d)

Local regeneration events

50.

Which best defines "System Boundary"?

a)

A conceptual line that divides the system that you want to study from 'everything else'

b)

The conditions at the start of a period

c)

Factors that may cause changes in a system

d)

Interaction between different components of a system

51.

Which best defines "Initial Conditions"?

a)

A conceptual line that divides the system that you want to study from 'everything else'

b)

The conditions at the start of a period

c)

Factors that may cause changes in a system

d)

Interaction between different components of a system

52.

Which best defines "Input and Output"?

a)

A conceptual line that divides the system that you want to study from 'everything else'

b)

The conditions at the start of a period

c)

Factors that may cause changes in a system

d)

Interaction between different components of a system

53.

Which best defines "Relationship"?

a)

A conceptual line that divides the system that you want to study from 'everything else'

b)

The conditions at the start of a period

c)

Factors that may cause changes in a system

d)

Interaction between different components of a system

54.

What is sustainability?

a)

The ability to maintain a certain rate or level

b)

The quality of being a trustworthy and reliable individual

c)

The ability to live a normal and well-balanced life

d)

The dependability on different factors for subsistence

55.

What is Las Vegas' most important resource?

a)

water

b)

gambling

c)

tourism

d)

silver

56.

What are the three main causes of natural hazards?

a)

Interior processes, surface processes, and severe weather

b)

Lunar activity, solar flares, and orbital periods

c)

Surface processes, severe weather, and natural selection

d)

Solar activity, earthquakes, and nuclear testing

57.

What is the difference between natural hazards and natural disasters?

a)

Natural hazards are only considered natural disasters if they negatively impact humans

b)

Natural hazards are natural, while natural disasters are caused by humans and their impact on the environment

c)

Natural hazards are caused by humans, while natural disasters are natural events.

d)

Natural hazards are only considered natural disasters in undeveloped countries. Developed countries don't have natural disasters.

58.

Why do some countries that have a high risk of natural hazards have a low risk of natural disasters?

a)

Some countries have better infrastructure and technology in place to protect society from being negatively impacted.

b)

Countries with smaller populations impact the environment less and have fewer natural disasters.

c)

Countries that are mostly surrounded by water are more likely to have natural disasters because of hurricanes and tsunamis.

d)

Larger countries have more land and people tend to spread out, making them safer.

59.

What was the "Dust Bowl" and how did it impact society?

a)

It was a man-made natural hazard that led to the first mass extinction event of humans, leaving the central United States empty, which caused the land to become a desert.

b)

It was the first natural disaster created from anthropogenic climate change. Most people left, but the families that stayed became very wealthy because they were the only ones farming and providing food for the nation.

c)

It was the first natural disaster created from anthropogenic climate change and resulted in everyone moving away from the central United States, which caused the land to turn into a desert because no one was there to take care of it.

d)

The combination of poor agricultural practices and climate change caused massive dust storms that caused farmers to lose their livelihoods and their homes, followed by a mass migration of humans to places with better conditions.

60.

Select all sources of renewable energy.

a)

wind

b)

solar

c)

hydropower

d)

fossil fuels

e)

natural gas

61.

The graphs illustrate the flow of atmospheric carbon dioxide. What two Earth systems are interacting with each other?

a)

Carbon dioxide sources and carbon dioxide sinks

b)

Ocean acidity and rate of land development

c)

Fossil fuel emissions and land-use changes

d)

Atmosphere and biosphere

62.

Earth's four main spheres are ______________ systems.

a)

open

b)

closed

c)

isolated

d)

gaming

63.

Earth is a ______________ system.

a)

open

b)

closed

c)

isolated

d)

gaming

64.

Which of the following is the only truly isolated system.

a)

Earth

b)

A Hydroflask

c)

The Universe

d)

Blackholes

65.

An open system allows for the back and forth transfer and exchange of which of the following? Select all that apply.

a)

energy

b)

matter

c)

nothing

66.

A closed system allows for the back and forth transfer and exchange of which of the following? Select all that apply.

a)

energy

b)

matter

c)

nothing

67.

Select the three best things we can do to decrease our impact on the environment.

a)

reduce

b)

reuse

c)

recycle

d)

repost

e)

reply

68.

Which of the following correctly lists the order we SHOULD manage our waste in order to reduce our impact on the environment? (from BEST to WORST)

a)

reduce, reuse, recycle, incinerate, bury

b)

bury, incinerate, reduce, reuse, recycle

c)

bury, incinerate, recycle, reuse, reduce

d)

recycle, reuse, reduce, bury incinerate