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Ice Ages

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which word best describes the pattern of ice ages throughout Earth's history?

a)

Random

b)

Unpredictable

c)

Cyclical

d)

Unknown

2.

How are glaciations different from ice ages?

a)

Ice ages are longer and more intense

b)

Glaciations are shorter and more intense

c)

Ice ages are shorter and less intense

d)

Glaciations are longer and less intense

3.

If you wanted to take a core sample of an ice sheet, what would you need?

a)

A glacier

b)

A very large freezer

c)

A thermometer

d)

A special drill

4.

A ______ is a mass of ice that moves downhill due to its weight.

a)

Fjord

b)

Moraine

c)

Glacier

d)

Erratic

5.

A geological period (the Ice Age) lasting millions of years during which the Earth exhibited large glaciers and ice sheets

a)

Weather

b)

Climate

6.

A _____ is a mass of snow and ice that moves slowly over the land.

a)

moraine

b)

glacier

c)

till

d)

u-shaped valley

7.

The chart shows several periods in the history of our planet where we entered an ice age. This goes with which of the following principles

a)

Random climate shifts

b)

Catastrophism

c)

Uniformitarianism

8.

Which of the following geologic features was created by glaciers?

a)

The Mojave Desert

b)

The Great Lakes

c)

The Rocky Mountains

d)

The Gulf of Mexico

9.

From Tim's explanation about interglacial periods, what can you conclude about the prefix "inter-?"

a)

It means "between"

b)

It means "cold"

c)

It means "age"

d)

It means "glacier"

10.

What can you conclude from the fact that animals that live in the tropics have been known to live in areas currently covered in ice?

a)

There used to be many more animals alive on the earth in the past than there are today

b)

Over many millions of years, the earth's climate has been extremely dynamic

c)

The tectonic plates connecting Canada and the United States were once separated

d)

Animals that used to be warm-blooded have evolved into cold-blooded animals

11.

How can movement of the continents lead to climate change?

a)

It can block the flow of warm ocean currents

b)

It can shift the earth's rotation about its axis

c)

It can make slight changes to the earth's orbit

d)

It can cause glaciers and ice sheets to begin moving as well

12.

What is a glacial period?

a)

A glacial period is a period of time when the climate was warmer and glaciers melted rapidly.

b)

A glacial period is a period of time when the climate was stable and glaciers did not change in size.

c)

A glacial period is a period of time when the Earth's surface was covered in volcanic ash.

d)

A glacial period is a period of time in the Earth's history when the climate was colder and glaciers covered a large part of the Earth's surface.

13.

What is an interglacial period?

a)

An interglacial period is a time when the Earth is closest to the sun

b)

An interglacial period is a period of extreme cold and ice formation

c)

An interglacial period is a short-term period of drought and desertification

d)

An interglacial period is a geological interval of warmer global average temperature lasting thousands of years that separates consecutive glacial periods within an ice age.

14.

What are the causes of ice ages?

a)

The causes of ice ages are due to excessive greenhouse gas emissions

b)

The causes of ice ages include changes in the Earth's orbit, variations in the sun's energy output, and volcanic activity.

c)

The causes of ice ages are related to the Earth's magnetic field

d)

The causes of ice ages are caused by changes in ocean currents

15.

How do scientists study past climates and ice ages?

a)

By studying the migration patterns of birds

b)

By analyzing the growth of coral reefs

c)

By observing the behavior of polar bears

d)

By analyzing ice cores, tree rings, sediment layers, and other geological records.

16.

What is an ice age?

a)

A period of time when the Earth's climate is warmer and glaciers retreat.

b)

A period of time when the Earth's climate is colder and glaciers advance.

c)

A period of time when the Earth's climate is stable and unchanging.

d)

A period of time when the Earth's climate is extremely hot and dry.

17.

Which of the following is a major factor contributing to the onset of an ice age?

a)

Increased volcanic activity releasing ash into the atmosphere.

b)

Decreased solar radiation reaching the Earth.

c)

Increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

d)

Decreased oceanic circulation patterns.

18.

What is the primary method scientists use to determine past temperatures during ice ages?

a)

Studying the migration patterns of ancient animals.

b)

Analyzing ice core samples for trapped gas bubbles.

c)

Observing the growth rings of ancient trees.

d)

Examining the fossilized remains of plants.

19.

During an ice age, what happens to sea levels?

a)

Sea levels rise due to increased rainfall.

b)

Sea levels fall due to the formation of large ice sheets.

c)

Sea levels remain constant due to balanced precipitation and evaporation.

d)

Sea levels fluctuate unpredictably.

20.

What is the term for the warm periods between ice ages?

a)

Glacial periods

b)

Interglacial periods

c)

Permafrost periods

d)

Cryogenic periods

21.

How do ice ages affect global biodiversity?

a)

They increase biodiversity by creating new habitats.

b)

They decrease biodiversity by causing mass extinctions.

c)

They have no significant impact on biodiversity.

d)

They stabilize biodiversity by maintaining constant climates.

22.

Which of the following is a direct consequence of an ice age on human populations?

a)

Increased agricultural productivity due to cooler temperatures.

b)

Migration to warmer regions due to harsh climates.

c)

Development of advanced technology to combat cold.

d)

Expansion of trade routes across ice-covered regions.

23.

What role do ocean currents play in the development of ice ages?

a)

They have no impact on ice ages.

b)

They help distribute heat around the planet, influencing climate.

c)

They cause ice ages by cooling the Earth's surface.

d)

They prevent ice ages by warming the Earth's surface.

24.

Which of the following best describes the Milankovitch cycles?

a)

Variations in the Earth's orbit and tilt affecting climate.

b)

Changes in the Earth's magnetic field over time.

c)

Fluctuations in solar energy output.

d)

Alterations in oceanic salinity levels.

25.

What evidence supports the theory of past ice ages?

a)

Fossilized remains of tropical plants in polar regions.

b)

Presence of glacial deposits and landforms.

c)

Historical records of ancient civilizations.

d)

Increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide.