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Midterm Review Earth Science

Total questions: 45

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The Earth’s atmosphere is up to 10,000 km high. The troposphere extends from-

a)

The Earth’s surface up to 6-20 km high.

b)

The Earth’s surface up to 85 km high.

c)

The Earth’s surface up to 10,000 km high.

d)

The Earth’s surface up to 690 km high.

2.

What happens to the density (thickness)/air pressure of the air as you increase in altitude?

a)

Density stays the same

b)

Density disappears

c)

Density increases

d)

Density decreases

3.

What best supports the concept of the Big Bang Theory?

a)

The planets vary in chemical composition

b)

The planets can spin on their axes

c)

The universe is composed of galaxies of different shapes and sizes

d)

The galaxies are exhibiting a red shift.

4.

Which of the following is true about the Big Bang Theory? (Choose 3)

a)

It states that the universe used to be much hotter and smaller

b)

It is the scientific explanation of how life began on Earth and evolved over time.

c)

It states that the universe expanded from a single point and is still expanding today.

d)

It is the scientific explanation for the origin of the universe.

5.

The solar system consists of many types of celestial bodies. Earth is the third planet from the sun and is located between the sun and the asteroid belt. Choose two (2) of the additional characteristics that describe Earth.

a)

Its proximity does not allow for life

b)

It has one natural satellite, the moon

c)

It contains water in three different forms such as a solid (ice), a liquid, and a gas (water vapor)

d)

It is classified as a gas giant.

6.

Which diagram correctly shows the orbits of Earth (E), the Moon (M), and the Sun (S)?

a)

Diagram A

b)

Diagram B

c)

Diagram C

d)

Diagram D

7.

When Earth is closest to the sun, which season is occurring in the Northern Hemisphere?

a)

Spring

b)

Winter

c)

Summer

d)

Autumn

8.

Our Sun is classified as a yellow dwarf. What will be the next stage of our sun’s life cycle?

a)

Red Supergiant

b)

Red giant

c)

Black Hole

d)

White Dwarf

9.

Surface currents in the ocean that form as a result of prevailing winds represent the transfer of energy from

a)

a. Hydrosphere to Lithosphere

b)

b. Stratosphere to troposphere

c)

c. Atmosphere to hydrosphere

d)

d. Lithosphere to atmosphere

10.

According to the H-R Diagram, which are the brightest stars? (choose 2)

a)

Main Sequence

b)

Red Giants

c)

White Dwarf

d)

Supergiants

11.

Which planet has a density less than that of water?

a)

Mercury

b)

Mars

c)

Venus

d)

Saturn

12.

Which planet has the shortest day according to this table?

a)

Mercury

b)

Venus

c)

Jupiter

d)

Saturn

13.

An unknown sample of metal has a mass of 240 g and a volume of 80 cm³. Given the formula D= m/V, what is the density of the unknown metal? DO NOT include units.

a)

2

b)

3

c)

4

d)

5

14.

A tentative (or untested) explanation of a natural phenomenon is called a scientific

a)

Theory

b)

Hypothesis

c)

Truth

d)

Paradigm

15.

How are stars, galaxies, and the universe related?

a)

Stars are part of galaxies, and galaxies are part of the universe.

b)

Galaxies are part of stars, and stars are part of the universe.

c)

The universe is part of galaxies, and galaxies are part of stars.

d)

Stars, galaxies, and the universe are unrelated.

16.

The universe is a large collection of stars, dust, and gas, and stars contain billions of galaxies. Which statement is correct?

a)

A group of galaxies form a star, and a group of stars form the universe.

b)

The universe is a large collection of stars, dust, and gas, and stars contain billions of galaxies.

c)

A galaxy is a large collection of stars, dust, and gas, and the universe contains billions of galaxies.

d)

A galaxy is a large collection of stars, dust, and gas, and the universe contains billions of galaxies.

17.

The greatest tidal ranges occur during which moon phases?

a)

First quarter and third quarter

b)

Full moon and first quarter

c)

New Moon and first quarter

d)

Full moon and new moon

18.

The Earth is just the right distance from the Sun to have which unique feature?

a)

Liquid Water

b)

An atmosphere

c)

Auroras

d)

A strong magnetic field

19.

Label the pie chart that shows the correct distribution of gases in our current atmosphere. P- Q- R-

a)

R- Nitrogen, Q- Oxygen, P- Argon

b)

P- Oxygen, Q- Nitrogen, R- Carbon Dioxide

c)

P- Argon, Q- Carbon Dioxide, R- Nitrogen

d)

P- Carbon Dioxide, Q- Argon, R- Oxygen

20.

Which of the following best describes the origin of oxygen gas in Earth’s atmosphere?

a)

Combustion of ancient plant material

b)

Respiration by primitive animals

c)

Photosynthesis by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

d)

Oxidation of cyanobacteria

21.

Label the Earth’s atmosphere, listing in order from the surface outward to space using the terms provided:

a)

Layer 1

1.

Troposphere

b)

Layer 2

2.

Stratosphere

c)

Layer 3

3.

Mesosphere

d)

Layer 4

4.

Thermosphere

22.

It is inferred that during the early Archean Era, the atmosphere of Earth contained water vapor, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and other gases in small amounts. These gases probably came from:

a)

Evaporation of Paleozoic oceans

b)

Precipitation of groundwater

c)

Volcanic eruptions

d)

Convection currents in the mantle

23.

Hurricanes form in tropical waters between the latitudes of

a)

20 & 30 degrees

b)

5 & 20 degrees

c)

40 & 50 degrees

d)

30 & 40 degrees

24.
Question Image

This diagram shows the three ways energy is transferred in Earth’s atmosphere. Match each term provided to identify each process correctly.

a)

Choice A

1.

Radiation

b)

Choice C

2.

Convection

c)

Choice B

3.

Conduction

25.

Which town should expect rain in the near future?

a)

Town W

b)

Town Z

c)

Town X

d)

Town Y

26.

Tornadoes are associated with which type of clouds?

a)

Altocumulus

b)

Nimbostratus

c)

Cumulus

d)

Cumulonimbus

27.

Why is a lake cooler than land during the day, but warmer than the land during the night?

a)

The sun’s radiation strikes land more directly than water

b)

Land heats and cools more quickly than water

c)

Water changes temperature more quickly than land

d)

Water heats and cools more quickly than land.

28.

How is sea level affected when glaciers melt?

a)

Sea level falls

b)

Sea level fluctuates more rapidly

c)

Sea level rises

d)

Sea level fluctuates more slowly

29.

How does the El Nino-Southern Oscillation cycle affect climate?

a)

It causes worldwide drought and famine

b)

It causes large rogue waves and tsunami to occur along most shorelines

c)

It causes some areas to have more typhoons, cyclones, and floods while other areas experience more droughts

d)

It increases global precipitation in all regions

30.

What feature is indicated by the letter G?

a)

Island Arc

b)

Trench

c)

Mid-ocean ridge

d)

Volcanic arc

31.

For an experiment, students are measuring the evaporation rate of water as it is heated. Approximately how much time elapsed from when the water was at the 10 mL level to when it was at the 5 mL level?

a)

About 1 minute

b)

About 7 Minutes

c)

About 30 seconds

d)

About 5 minutes

32.

Comets orbit the (a)   and consist mostly of frozen gases.

Choose from the below words

Sun

Earth

Moon

Mars

33.

How does the ocean regulate atmospheric temperatures and weather?

a)

With tidal fluctuations that distribute heat evenly

b)

By storing and slowly releasing heat

c)

By conducting heat from underground volcanoes

d)

By the effect of ocean winds that distribute heat from the sun.

34.

In the period after the moon formed, what phenomenon most likely produced the gases found in the atmosphere (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water vapor)?

a)

Meteor impacts

b)

Mountain Building

c)

Growth of massive forests

d)

Volcanic Eruptions

35.

Inner planets have very similar characteristics to each other, choose two (2) characteristics that apply to inner planets?

a)

All have multiple Moons

b)

Small

c)

Rocky Surfaces

d)

Composed of Gas

e)

Evidence of Water

36.

Which of the following is evidence of Climate change based on the negative impact of human activities and other climatic variables?

a)

Warming oceans

b)

Sea level decline

c)

Increasing ice sheets

d)

Increase in snow coverage

37.

Which two (2) inject large quantities of dust and gases into the atmosphere?

a)

Meteorite impacts

b)

Earth’s Rotation

c)

Volcanic Activity

d)

Tornadoes.

38.

Convection is the major mechanism of energy transfer in which three (3) areas?

a)

Oceans

b)

Photosynthesis

c)

Atmosphere

d)

Earth’s Interior

39.

Sort the following characteristics into the correct weather related phenomena.

a)

Winds of 120 km/hr or greater

1.

Tropical Cyclone

b)

Extends downward from the cloud

2.

Tornado

c)

Formed over tropical waters

3.

Tropical Cyclone

d)

Formed over land

4.

Tornado

40.

Algae in the oceans are an important source of atmospheric:

a)

Absorption

b)

Metabolism

c)

Protection

d)

Oxygen

41.

Scientific evidence indicates that this amount is slowly increasing as the CO₂ levels in the atmosphere rise. Scientific observations have indicated a potential negative impact on marine organisms that are made up of which two (2) of the following?

a)

Soft Exoskeletons

b)

Shells

c)

Permammable cell membranes

d)

Calcium carbonate skeletons

42.

Human activities have increased chlorofluorocarbons which contribute to the breakdown of the ozone layer. Which two (2) are considered chlorofluorocarbons?

a)

Installation of Solar Panels

b)

Refrigerants

c)

Aerosols

d)

Treatment of water

43.

A scientist states: “If rainfall on sand dunes increases, then the erosion rate of the sand dunes will increase.” Why is this statement a hypothesis rather than a theory?

a)

Closely modeling the event is possible using laboratory equipment

b)

It is specific enough that testing could demonstrate it to be incorrect

c)

It involves a restricted situation with a small number of testable variables

d)

The statement contradicts over half of the currently accepted theories.

44.

What causes the circulation of air?

a)

Air in the atmosphere is heated by the sun and sinks to the ground.

b)

The air loses heat to the ground and then rises upward to obtain more energy

c)

The sun heats the clouds which forces the cooler air to move away and sink.

d)

The ground is heated by the sun and then heats the air, causing the air to rise.

45.

Which temperature could be measured in Virginia Beach (arrow)?

a)

94°F

b)

58°F

c)

83°F

d)

71°F