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8th - ESS EXAM

Total questions: 90

Worksheet time: 23hrs 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What causes the moon to have phases?

a)

Earth's Rotation and Revolving

b)

Sun's Rotation and Revolving

c)

Moon's Rotation and Revolving

d)

All of the above

2.

When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, it is

a)

Winter

b)

Fall

c)

Spring

d)

Summer

3.

Different angles of the moon's lit surface as the moon revolves around Earth cause

a)

cycles

b)

eclipses

c)

moon phases

d)

tides

4.

What would seasons be like if Earth's axis were straight up and down and not tilted?

a)

Seasons would be the same.

b)

There would be no seasons

c)

Seasons would be more extreme

5.

About how long does it take the moon to orbit the Earth?

a)

29 days

b)

1 day

c)

15 days

d)

It doesn't

6.
How long does it take for the Earth to make one full orbit around the Sun?
a)
one day
b)
one week
c)
one month
d)
one year
7.

When the northern hemisphere is experiencing summer the southern hemisphere experiences _______ ?

a)

Winter

b)

Spring

c)

Summer

d)

Fall

8.

As distance between two objects increase the pull of gravity ___________.

a)

Increases

b)

Decreases.

c)

Doesn't change

9.

Two factors effecting the strength of gravity between 2 objects are...

a)

weight and mass

b)

distance and weight

c)

mass and matter

d)

mass and distance

10.
Which model has greater gravitational attraction (if any)
a)
Model A
b)
Model B
c)
Both Model A and Model B (same gravity)
11.

What is true about the distance between a planet and the sun and the planet’s revolution around the Sun?

a)

The closer the planet is to the sun, the slower it orbits.

b)

The farther the planet is to the sun, the faster it orbits.

c)

The farther the planet is to the sun, the brighter the sun is.

d)

The closer the planet is to the sun, the faster it orbits.

12.

Why do scientists use scale models to study the Solar System?

a)

The solar system is too large to study without using models

b)

The solar system is too small to study without using models

c)

Scientists don't need to use models because we have satellites

d)

All of these options are true

13.

What planet is spinning the fastest on its axis?

a)

Mercury

b)

Jupiter

c)

Venus

d)

Earth

14.

What does 1 Astronomical Unit (AU) represent?

a)

The distance between Earth and the moon

b)

20 lightyears

c)

The distance between each of the planets

d)

The distance between the Sun and Earth

15.

What unit of measurement is used to calculate distance in our universe?

a)

astronomical units

b)

kilometers

c)

light years

d)

parsecs

16.

Geologists assume the newest rock layers are on top of the older ones, unless some type of disturbance occurs, in known as …

a)

Law of Inclusions

b)

Law of Crosscutting

c)

Law of Conservation

d)

Law of Superposition

17.

How can fossils tell us about Earth's past?

a)

Fossils give clues about environmental changes where the organism lived.

b)

Fossils can be used to date the time period of rocks and rock layers when the organism lived.

c)

Fossils can give clues of changes in the organism's body structure over time.

d)

All of the above are true.

18.

Which layer is OLDER? Fault E or Intrusion D?

a)

Fault E

b)

Intrusion D

19.

Which of the layers is the oldest?

a)

Fault E

b)

Intrusion D

c)

Strata C

d)

Strata A

20.
Relative dating of rock layers tells us that the deeper we dig, _______.
a)
the younger the rocks get
b)
the smellier the rocks get
c)
the harder the rocks get
d)
the older the rocks get
21.
What type of rock do fossils form in?
a)
Igneous
b)
Sedimentary
c)
Metamorphic
d)
Classic
22.

What are the many divisions in the geological time scale based on?

a)

changes in the fossil record every billion years

b)

changes in the fossil record every million years

c)

gradual changes in the fossil record

d)

sudden changes in the fossil record

23.

After each labeled point, what does the large decrease in height (Y-value) represent? This phenomenon is a primary way that scientists developed the boundaries between time periods.

a)

Loss of rock strata

b)

Massive increase in species

c)

Massive loss of species

d)

Decreased number of fossils

24.

Which event/strata is the YOUNGEST?

a)

Strata B

b)

Intrusion H

c)

Strata R

d)

Strata I

25.

Uses the decay of radioactive elements to find the ___________________________ of a rock or fossil.

a)

Relative age

b)

Absolute age

c)

New age

d)

Real Age

26.

What is the primary cause of ocean tides on Earth?

a)

The Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth

b)

The Sun's gravitational pull on the Earth

c)

The Earth's rotation on its axis

d)

The Earth's orbit around the Sun

27.

What is a lunar eclipse?

a)

When the Earth is between the Sun and the Moon

b)

When the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun

c)

When the Sun moves behind the Moon

d)

When the Moon's shadow falls on the Earth

28.

Which direction does the Earth rotate?

a)

From west to east

b)

From east to west

c)

From north to south

d)

From south to north

29.

The space shuttle is orbiting the Earth clockwise. Which vector shows the direction of the gravitational force acting on the shuttle?

a)

a

b)

b

c)

c

d)

d

30.
How is gravity affected by mass?
a)
the larger the mass of the object, the greater the gravity
b)
small objects have no gravity
c)
gravity is not affected by mass of objects, whether large or small
31.

These Rocks are formed from Magma and Lava

a)

Metamorphic

b)

Igneous

c)

Sedimentary

32.

These Rocks are formed from Heat and Pressure

a)

Metamorphic

b)

Igneous

c)

Sedimentary

33.

These Rocks are form from layers of sediment over Millions of years

a)

Metamorphic

b)

Igneous

c)

Sedimentary

34.
What geologic process changes pieces of rocks, minerals and other materials into sedimentary rocks?
a)
Compacting and Cementing
b)
Cooling
c)
Heat and Pressure
d)
Melting
35.
Which of the following land features would take the largest amount of time to change?
a)
location of continents
b)
shape of volcano
c)
position of sand dunes
d)
landslides
36.

Which of the following changes to Earth’s surface is most likely to represent the smallest scale of space and time?

a)

formation of rock layers

b)

formation of a canyon

c)

Uplift of mountain ranges

d)

A landslide on a mountain

37.
In which type of boundary do the plates move away from each other?
a)
convergent
b)
normal
c)
divergent
d)
transform
38.
At which type of plate boundary does seafloor spreading occur?
a)
Tranform
b)
Convergent
c)
Divergent
d)
Subductive Zone
39.
Which of the following causes Earth's tectonic plates to move?
a)
Energy from the Sun
b)
Magnetic Pole Reversal
c)
Convection currents in the mantle
d)
Faults in Mountain Ranges
40.
What was the name given to all the continents when they were joined as one super continent? 
a)
Supreme Continent
b)
Eurasia
c)
Plate tectonics
d)
Pangea
41.

What do you expect to find at a mid-ocean ridge?

a)

relatively young rocks

b)

reverse fault

c)

thick accumulation of sediments

d)

very ancient rocks

42.

Match the following

a)
1.

divergent

b)
2.

convergent

c)
3.

transform

43.

What does the continental crust float on top of?

a)

Lithosphere

b)

Asthenosphere

c)

Mantle

d)

Core

44.

What happens at a convergent boundary where an oceanic plate meets a continental plate?

a)

The continental plate is subducted.

b)

The oceanic plate is subducted.

c)

Both plates are subducted.

d)

The plates slide past each other.

45.

Where does the energy needed for the water cycle to occur, come from?

a)

The Moon

b)

The Sun

c)

Producers

d)

Omnivores

46.
Question Image

Match the following

a)

Evaporation

1.

A

b)

Condensation

2.

B

c)

Precipitation

3.

C

d)

Transpiration

4.

D

e)

Groundwater

5.

E

47.

What are formed when water vapor condenses and come together?

a)

Clouds

b)

Mountains

c)

Transpiration

d)

Valleys

48.
This weather tool measures wind speed 
a)
thermometer
b)
barometer
c)
anemometer
d)
psychrometer
49.
Humidity is the...
a)
Amount of Water Vapor in the Air
b)
Amount of Wind in the Air
c)
Amount of Precipitation in the Air
d)
Amount of Pressure in the Air
50.
Warm air near the Earth’s surface rises and then cools and drops, this creates a _________________ in the atmosphere.
a)
run-off
b)
Greenhouse Effect
c)
convection current
d)
water cylce
51.
Because the earth is spinning on its axis, the global winds appear to curve. This is known as the __________ ________.
a)
Coriolis Effect
b)
Greenhouse Effect
c)
Climate Effect
d)
Atmosphere Effect
52.
What kind of weather is usually associated with a high pressure system?
a)
Sunny weather
b)
Precipitation (rain, snow, etc.)
53.
In what direction do winds always blow?
a)
From areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure
b)
From areas of low pressure to areas of high pressure
54.

South Carolina is humid during the summer months. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the humid conditions?

a)

groundwater bubbling to the surface

b)

runoff from inland mountains

c)

evaporation from the surface of the ocean

d)

flooding from river and streams

55.

Which best explains why the Gulf Stream tends to bring warmer air to the east coast of Florida?

a)

The Gulf Stream brings water from the equator

b)

The Gulf Stream is the result of the Earth’s Rotation

c)

The Gulf Stream changes direction each year

d)

. The Gulf Stream is a deep ocean current

56.
Deep Ocean currents are a result of
a)
Global Wind Patterns
b)
Earth's Rotation
c)
Density
d)
All of the above
57.
Constantly moving system of deep-ocean circulation driven by temperature and salinity. It moves water around the globe.
a)
California Current
b)
Global Conveyor Belt
c)
Surface Currents
d)
Gulf Stream
58.

Which of the following types of water would SINK the fastest?

a)

Warm and Salty

b)

Warm and less salty

c)

Cold and Salty

d)

Cold and Less Salty

59.
Why are surface currents at the surface of the ocean?
a)
colder temperature
b)
colder temperature & more salinty
c)
warmer temperature & less salinty
d)
less salinty
60.
Ocean currents bring warm water from the equator towards Earth's
a)
Southern Hemisphere
b)
Continents
c)
Equator
d)
Poles
61.

The Atlantic ocean is the saltiest ocean because it receives the most what?

a)

Condensation

b)

Evaporation

c)

Rain

d)

Wind

62.

What are nonrenewable resources?

a)

energy sources that are replaced faster than they are used

b)

energy sources that can never be replaced or are replaced more slowly than they are used

c)

a natural product that can be changed into other forms of energy to do work

63.

All of the following are fossil fuels EXCEPT

a)

oil

b)

nuclear energy

c)

coal

d)

natural gas

64.
What characteristic do all renewable resources share?
a)
Produced by waste products
b)
Form underground from dead organisms.
c)
Replaced in a short period of time
d)
Allow energy to pass through them easily
65.

An accurate definition of Sustainability is

a)

meeting population needs

b)

meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to survive

c)

meeting the needs of the future without worrying about todays

d)

meeting the food needs of animals

66.
Why is burning fossil fuels harmful? 
a)
then we won't have any fossil fuels if we burn them all
b)
They can get extremely hot
c)
Increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the air
d)
this would destroy fossils
67.
Alternative energy is
a)
Generated by natural resources and is renewable
b)
man made
c)
nonrenewable
d)
not helpful to us in Texas
68.
What is the difference between a natural hazard and a natural disaster? 
a)
They are exactly the same 
b)
A hazard is what could happen, a disaster is after it has an impact on humans
c)
I disaster is what could happen, a hazard is after it has an impact on humans 
d)
Hurricanes and tsunamis are natural disasters, but earthquakes and volcanoes are hazards
69.
A seismograph can be used to measure and study what? 
a)
Volcanic eruptions
b)
Earthquakes
c)
Tsunamis
d)
All of the above
70.
What can scientists measure to help predict when a volcano might erupt?
a)
temperatures of lava flow
b)
lengths of nearby fault lines
c)
small earthquakes and gases in the air near the volcano
d)
increases in sever weather
71.

The prediction of what the weather will be like in the near future

a)

Natural hazards

b)

Forecast

c)

Flood

d)

Earthquake

e)

Volcanic eruptions

72.

By using historical data, scientists can forecast the ______ and __________ of future events.

a)

locations; likelihoods

b)

pressure; change

c)

atmospheric; front

d)

predict; pressure

73.

Meteorologists can _________ the local _______ by tracking__________ conditions.

a)

likelihoods; change; locations

b)

pressure, predict; tornado

c)

predict; weather; atmospheric

d)

change; atmospheric; locations

74.

Which of the following are correct reasons to which animals become endangered?

a)

Some animals become endangered due to changes in climate where they live.

b)

Poaching causes some animals to become endangered.

c)

Deforestation causes some animals to become endangered

d)

Animals can become endangered for all of these reasons

75.

What is conservation?

a)

Saving natural resources.

b)

Watching television throughout the day.

c)

Using natural and human resources.

d)

Leaving the watering running.

76.

WHY IS RECYCLING SO IMPORTANT?

a)

Recycling helps to reduce pure air

b)

Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste. .and reduces the need for raw materials

c)

Recycling helps plants to grow quickly in the forest .

d)

Recycling helps people to have a good economic situation in their houses

77.

An endangered species is

a)

One whose numbers are so small that it is at risk of extinction

b)

One who has not been spotted after many years.

c)

One whose numbers are abundant

d)

One that is also extinct

78.

How does having trees & tree roots in the soil affect the rate of erosion?

a)

It doesn't affect erosion.

b)

It decreases erosion.

c)

It increases erosion.

79.

Wildlife corridors are areas where wildlife can travel between two natural areas that are separated by urban development, such as highways. The development of wildlife corridors is an attempt to decrease the effect of which factor?

a)

excess predators

b)

captive breeding

c)

habitat fragmentation

d)

excess water

80.
The study of methods for protecting _____ is called conservation biology. 
a)
Global warming
b)
Animals
c)
Biodiverstiy
81.

The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii has been collecting data about the atmosphere and climate since the 1950s. The graph shows some of its findings.

The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii has been collecting data about the atmosphere and climate since the 1950s. The graph shows some of its findings.

a)

ozone depletion

b)

greenhouse effect

c)

coastal erosion

d)

land erosion

82.

Which conclusion is supported by the graph?

a)

All climate change is caused by humans.

b)

Climate change is a natural process.

c)

The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been increasing since the 1960s.

d)

The levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have been decreasing since the 1960s.

83.

In 2016, Japan’s estimated birthrate was 8 births per 1,000 people. The estimated death rate was 10 deaths per 1,000 people. There were not very many people moving into or out of the country. What most likely happened to Japan’s population size in 2016?

a)

grew quickly

b)

grew slowly

c)

decreased slowly

d)

stayed the same

84.

Many people apply fertilizer to their lawn in the spring. Chemicals in the fertilizer absorb into the soil and can run off into nearby rivers and streams.

a)

helping grass grow faster

b)

contributing to air pollution

c)

endangering aquatic animals

d)

reducing soil erosion

85.

According to the graph, what material’s recycling would reduce the largest portion of America’s trash?

a)

Metals

b)

paper

c)

plastics

d)

Yard trimmings

86.

The warming of the Earth's atmosphere is called...

a)

The Ozone Layer

b)

The Greenhouse Effect

c)

The Carbon Cycle

d)

The El Niño Effect

87.

Two containers were placed in front of a lamp for 10 minutes. Both containers were filled with air. Additional carbon dioxide was added to one container. The final temperatures of both containers are shown.

What does this experiment prove?

a)

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

b)

Carbon dioxide is not a greenhouse gas that traps heat.

c)

The experiment does not prove anything.

88.

Which of the following human activities would NOT decrease the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere?

a)

Households recycling plastic, glass, and paper products

b)

Cutting trees in a large area to create land for a shopping mall

c)

Installing solar panels on the roof of new homes built around the city

d)

Taking public transportation as a way to commute

89.

Human activities are __________________ the levels of the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

a)

Increasing

b)

Decreasing

c)

maintaining

d)

fluctuating

90.

According to the data shown on greenhouse emissions, Which two greenhouse gases are major contributors to greenhouse emissions? Select two.

a)

HCFs

b)

nitrous oxide

c)

methane

d)

carbon dioxide