Worksheets8th ELA GMAS Spiral#4
Total questions: 23
Worksheet time: 2hrs 55mins
According to the passage, what evidence challenges the impact theory?
The presence of iridium layers
The discovery of shocked quartz
The absence of a crater
The existence of tektites
The impact theory regarding the Moon's origin suggests that:
The Moon was captured by Earth's gravity.
The Moon formed from the debris of a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.
The Moon was formed alongside Earth from the primordial accretion disk.
The Moon is a fragment of Earth that broke away.
Scientists believe the Moon was formed according to the impact theory by:
a giant impact between Earth and a Mars-sized body.
a gradual accumulation of space dust and debris.
the capture of a wandering asteroid by Earth's gravity.
the fission of a part of Earth due to its rapid rotation.
The impact theory is considered a popular explanation for the Moon's origin because:
it suggests the Moon was formed from debris after a collision between Earth and a Mars-sized body.
it explains the Moon's current orbit and composition.
it is supported by evidence from lunar rock samples.
it is the only theory that accounts for the Moon's size and distance from Earth.
Recent findings have sparked debate about the Moon's molecular structure. What are these findings?
Discovery of water molecules in the Moon's sunlit regions
Detection of helium-3 on the Moon's surface
Presence of iron-rich minerals
Evidence of volcanic activity
Some people still believe in other theories about the Moon's origin despite the impact theory because:
they are unaware of the impact theory.
they find other theories more convincing.
they distrust scientific consensus.
they have cultural or personal beliefs.
Which BEST summarizes how the author of “A Giant Impact” responds to the evidence of similar ratios of titanium isotopes on Earth and the Moon?
The author uses this supporting evidence to show that the impact theory has merit. Although the author uses this evidence to help promote the impact theory, the evidence actually conflicts with the impact theory rather than supporting it.
The author uses this conflicting evidence to ask questions about other origin theories. While the evidence conflicts with the impact theory, the author does not use these data to ask questions about other theories.
The author uses this supporting evidence to create a new and complete theory. While the author uses the evidence to revise the impact theory, the author does not recreate the theory; in addition, the evidence is conflicting, not supporting.
The author uses this conflicting evidence to help clarify details of the impact theory. This evidence conflicts with the basis of the impact theory, but the author takes the opportunity to help clarify and further define the hypothesis.
Read the fifth sentence from paragraph 3 of “A Giant Impact.” How does this sentence contribute to the overall meaning of the paragraph?
A. It supports the idea that the Moon's structure is more complicated than originally thought.
B. It shows how computer models were able to recreate the origin of the Moon.
C. It states the author's opinion about the impact theory.
D. It helps to explain why the impact theory is valid.
In “Captured by Earth,” why is it important that the author explains how the Moon’s orbit changed over time?
These details indicate how Earth was able to slowly capture the Moon.
The explanation shows why the capture theory is not popular.
The explanation suggests that the capture theory has some flaws.
These details show that the Moon once orbited around the Sun.
According to the author of “Captured by Earth,” what is one argument used to dispute the capture theory?
The Moon formed when an object collided with Earth.
The Moon once followed an elliptical path around Earth.
Earth was very cool when the Moon formed.
Earth and the Moon have some of the same chemicals.
According to the capture theory, Earth’s gravitational force “captured” the Moon as it passed close to our planet, locking it into our orbit.
True
False
While this is a succinct definition of the capture theory, it does not refer to an argument used to dispute this theory.
A) These models indicate that the Moon’s orbit was once highly elliptical, and the Moon passed by Earth only about eight times per year.
B) For example, it is highly unlikely that Earth could smoothly capture another large body in its orbit without sustaining any impact from that body.
C) The Moon is also similar to Earth in its ratio of titanium and oxygen isotopes, which is unexplainable using the capture theory.
These models indicate that the Moon’s orbit was once highly elliptical, and the Moon passed by Earth only about eight times per year. While this supports the statement in Part A that “[t]he Moon once followed an elliptical path around Earth,” this piece of information is used to provide support for the capture theory.
True
False
For example, it is highly unlikely that Earth could smoothly capture another large body in its orbit without sustaining any impact from that body. While this is an argument used to dispute the capture theory, it does not directly support the correct answer in Part A.
True
False
Select the TWO sentences from “Captured by Earth” below that give opposing arguments about whether an object the size of the Moon could have been "captured" by Earth, as the capture theory proposes.
Scientists believe that the Moon was formed roughly 4.5 billion years ago. The impact theory states that there was an extremely large collision between Earth and another body the size of Mars. This impact would have caused an enormous amount of heat that would have taken a long time to cool off. Four billion-year-old minerals in Australia suggest that the planet was too cool at the time to have had such a huge impact. This new evidence warrants a second look at another theory about the Moon—the capture theory.
According to the capture theory, Earth’s gravitational force “captured” the Moon as it passed close to our planet, locking it into our orbit. Certain compositional differences between Earth and the Moon support this theory, and scientists have created computer models that show how it is possible for Earth’s gravitational pull to have captured the Moon. These models indicate that the Moon’s orbit was once highly elliptical, and the Moon passed by Earth only about eight times per year. The Moon gradually closed closer and closer over time as Earth’s gravity began to pull it in.
Unbelievers discount the capture theory on the basis of several factors. For example, it is highly unlikely that Earth could smoothly capture another large body in its orbit without sustaining any impact from that body. The Moon is also similar to Earth in its ratio of titanium and oxygen isotopes, which is unexplainable using the capture theory. Yet, in light of the new evidence found in Australia, this theory merits a second look. One thing is certain: The mystery of the Moon’s origin is still very much alive.
Which word has the same connotation as non-believers?
doubters
investigators
questioners
wonderers
A student is writing a narrative for her creative writing class about a young girl's first time jumping off a high diving board. The student wants to revise the draft to include a strong opening that adequately describes the main character. Read the draft and complete the task that follows. As Sally approached the ladder to the high diving board, her stomach was full of butterflies. Nonetheless, she grabbed the bars and climbed until she reached the top step. Carefully, she placed one hand on the board and lifted herself onto it. Her knees wobbly, Sally stood up. She quickly grabbed the bars on either side of the board and looked around to get her bearings. Down on the side of the pool, her mother smiled and waved, encouraging Sally to jump off. With that rallying her on, Sally carefully made her way down the board, holding on tightly. When the bars ended, Sally hesitated, knowing that she would have to walk out to the end of the board unassisted by the comfort of the bars. She took a deep breath and let go, putting her arms straight out to her sides for balance. Sally took two small steps and found herself at the end of the board. She slowly counted down from ten and leaped off the board, through the air, and into the pool. When she surfaced, her pride at having jumped off the high diving board was written all over her face. Choose the paragraph that would BEST introduce the narrative by providing a clear description of the main character.
A. Sally Bright was always up for a challenge. She never turned down a dare, making her one of the most popular kids on her block. People were always daring her to do crazy things, like knocking on people's doors and running, climbing up electrical poles, and chasing birds. Sally loved the thrill of all of these challenges. Student(s) may have chosen this answer because they assumed going off the high dive was another dare.
B. Sally Bright, a sweet six-year-old, had a very large family. The youngest of all her siblings, Sally had the smallest bed, a closet full of hand-me-downs, and the worst chores. One thing that made them all equal, though, was their love of visiting the
Why might a student choose the answer that Sally Bright was afraid of heights?
Because it led into the idea of the high diving board and the swimming pool.
Because it had description about Sally's character.
Because she was only three feet tall and used to living life close to the ground.
Because she was nice to animals.
Why might a student choose the answer that Sally Bright was nice to animals?
Because it led into the idea of the high diving board and the swimming pool.
Because it had description about Sally's character.
Because she was only three feet tall and used to living life close to the ground.
Because she was nice to animals.
Ella is writing a narrative for an assignment in her English class. Ella wants to revise the draft to include more detail in a critical scene. Read this section of the draft of her narrative and complete the task that follows. Paul was lost. While he was generally skilled at making his way successfully through a mountain hike, today he could not remember which was the correct way back to his camp. He knew his camp was at the northern most point of the campgrounds, but he did not know which way was north. He tried several methods to figure out where he was. Clearly discouraged, he sat down on the ground to take a drink out of his canteen and regroup. His attitude greatly improved by his break; he stood up energetically. To his amazement, his compass fell out of his pocket and onto the ground. What luck! He had forgotten that he had stuck his compass in his pocket before his hike. He quickly used it and found his way back to camp. Ella wants to add detail after the underlined sentence. Choose the TWO BEST sentences that would add descriptive detail to her narrative.
A. He looked all around him at the beauty of the landscape and the wildlife.
B. He tried to think of all of his best hikes to remind himself of why he liked the mountains.
C. He attempted to locate the sun in order to use its position in the sky to determine which way was north.
D. He unpacked and reorganized his backpack, making sure he had all of his first aid equipment in working order.
Student(s) may have thought that reorganizing himself would make him less anxious about being lost. What did he do to have a greater view of the area around him and possibly locate his camp?
He shouted for help.
He followed a river.
He used a map.
He waited for rescue.
He scanned the area for a high rock to climb on top of to have a greater view of the area around him and possibly locate his camp.
D. Parents should require their children to exercise at home every day. Student(s) may not have realized that promoting parents to require exercise at home would not be an opinion generated from the paragraph as the paragraph focuses on physical activity in school.
True
False
Choose the sentence that uses "access" correctly.
We had an access of carrots because Joanna ordered too many.
The spy memorized the password so he could gain access to the building.
Our planet spins on an access.
There was an access of volunteers so we couldn't use them all.
