Earth Systems I
The most frequent cause of major earthquakes is the…
A. pressure released by tectonic plate movement
B. occurrence of landslides
C. gravitational pull of the moon as it orbits Earth
D. changes in underwater currents
A. pressure released by tectonic plate movement
The US maintains a system of 39 buoys in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans called DART, or Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis. How does this technology help humans adapt to the environment?
A. By detecting sunken ships
B. By helping ships navigate
C. By monitoring fish migration
D. By warning of a natural disaster
D. By warning of a natural disaster
Which of the following is caused by the very rapid evaporation of warm ocean water in late summer months?
A. the erosion of a sandy beach
B. a tropical hurricane
C. a catastrophic forest fire
D. a tornado
B. a tropical hurricane
Preventative steps taken during building construction in earthquake zones (ex: building homes from lightweight material) show that…
A. people have the ability to prevent earthquakes.
B. humans can adapt to different challenges in the physical environment.
C. little can be done to minimize the effects of earthquakes.
D. structural engineering has been unable to respond to natural threats.
B. humans can adapt to different challenges in the physical environment.
What lesson can be learned from the flooding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005?
A. A hurricane is unlikely to reach New Orleans again.
B. International cooperation can prevent hurricanes.
C. The human response to a natural disaster can influence its overall positive or negative impact.
D. Hurricanes are a major contributor to pollution in the Gulf of Mexico.
C. The human response to a natural disaster can influence its overall positive or negative impact.
A farmer sees an area he believes will be good for farming because of its rich topsoil. Which process contributed most to forming this rich topsoil?
A. sand storms
B. ocean currents
C. decaying plant life
D. folding of Earth’s crust
C. decaying plant life
What will most likely happen in the future if people continue to use fossil fuels at the same rate as today?
A. People will have even more fossil fuels in the future.
B. Countries will reach a state of sustainable development.
C. Fossil fuels will gradually disappear while air pollution will increase.
D. Scientists will discover how to renew fossil fuels.
C. Fossil fuels will gradually disappear while air pollution will increase.
Which best explains why we experience four seasons on Earth?
A. the gravitational pull of the moon
B. the distance between Earth and the sun
C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun
D. the effect of tectonic plate movement on Earth’s oceans
C. the tilt of the Earth on its axis as it revolves around the sun
Which human activity would be most likely to have a negative impact on the environment?
A. using reforestation to control soil erosion
B. burning non-renewable resources to generate electric power
C. preserving endangered species
D. investigating the use of biological controls for pests.
B. burning non-renewable resources to generate electric power
As climate change becomes a more recognized global issue, many countries are starting to…
A. limit the production of vehicles that use alternative fuels
B. require the use of petroleum products
C. pass legislation mandating the reduction of carbon emissions
D. deregulate the coal industry
C. pass legislation mandating the reduction of carbon emissions
Which of the following occurs in the biosphere?
A. Continuous circulation of hot and cold oceanic currents
B. Regulation of the rate at which thermal energy leaves the planet
C. The interaction of plants and animals within specific climate regions
D. The recycling of the continental crust in subduction zones
C. The interaction of plants and animals within specific climate regions
I. How People are Affected by their Environment
A. __________
B. Most people settle near bodies of water.
C. Crops help determine what people eat and how they dress.
What phrase best completes the partial outline above?
A. Rise in greenhouse gasses.
B. The eruption at Krakatoa.
C. Tsunamis are caused by tectonic plate movement.
D. People often settle in flat, fertile areas.
D. People often settle in flat, fertile areas.
Which factors have the greatest effect on climate zones?
A. Longitude and vegetation
B. Latitude and elevation
C. Soil type and altitude
D. Mountain barriers and amount of arable land
B. Latitude and elevation
The term El Niño is best defined as…
A. a massive earthquake
B. a warming of the surface of the Pacific Ocean
C. added amounts of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
D. the melting of parts of the polar ice caps
B. a warming of the surface of the Pacific Ocean
Rome’s average January temperature is 50°F. Its average July temperature is 86°F. One reason for the difference between these temperatures is…
A. the amount of carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere
B. the tilt of Earth on its axis
C. the tidal pull of the moon
D. the distance between Earth and the sun
B. the tilt of Earth on its axis
Which of the following theories is accurate based on our understanding of plate tectonics?
A. Earth moves around the sun.
B. Earth’s continents are slowly moving together.
C. There is little difference in the climatic patterns found on most continents.
D. Millions of years ago, Earth’s continents formed one giant continent
D. Millions of years ago, Earth’s continents formed one giant continent
The current destruction of rainforests around the world is primarily due to the…
A. disease carried by insects.
B. wildfires occurring during dry seasons.
C. devastation caused by high winds from tropical storms.
D. human demand for timber and farmland.
D. human demand for timber and farmland.
Tropical rainforests are found near the equator where ample rain falls. Tall grasses dominate in areas that tend to be drier. Plants that store water exist in areas with temperature extremes and little rainfall. Which conclusion can best be drawn from these three examples?
A. Tall grasses grow well in the Great Plains.
B. Climate greatly influences the types of biomes found in different regions.
C. Cacti are usually found in desert areas where it tends to be dry.
D. Rainfall is one cause for the rapid growth of tropical rainforests.
B. Climate greatly influences the types of biomes found in different regions.
Sustainable development can best be characterized as…
A. enacting laws to prevent water pollution.
B. using resources in order to meet current and future needs.
C. greater dependence on Earth’s non-renewable resources.
D. eliminating industrial development in developing nations.
B. using resources in order to meet current and future needs.
Government officials are able to pinpoint detailed information about a precise location in order to prepare for an impending natural disaster. What kind of system does this refer to?
A. GPS
B. GIS
C. aerial photography
D. desalinization
B. GIS
Which is the best example of weathering?
A. the cracking of rocks caused by the freezing and melting of water
B. the transportation of sediment in a stream
C. the condensation of water vapor into droplets in clouds
D. the formation of a sandbar along the side of a stream
A. the cracking of rocks caused by the freezing and melting of water
Which argument would an opponent of the construction of a new nuclear power plant most likely use?
A. There are limited supplies of nonrenewable resources.
B. The demand for electric power is growing.
C. There is an unacceptable risk of radiation exposure.
D. The use of fossil fuels creates air pollution.
A. There are limited supplies of nonrenewable resources.
Which characteristic is common to all the countries located between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn?
A. A warm climate
B. Coniferous forests
C. Frequent hurricanes
D. Tall grasses
A. A warm climate
Vertical climates are different climates at different altitudes. It explains why some mountains have snow at their peaks while the area around the base is warm. Which of the following generalizations about vertical climates can be made?
A. Vertical climates have no effect where people live.
B. Altitude has little effect on the growing season of crops.
C. Most crops cannot be grown above sea level.
D. Altitude has an important impact on the kind of crops grown.
D. Altitude has an important impact on the kind of crops grown.
Mexico City in central Mexico is closer to the equator than Houston, Texas. Its average summer temperatures are cooler than Houston’s. What best explains this?
A. Mexico City has a higher elevation than Houston.
B. The use of air conditioners has raised temperatures in Houston.
C. Mexico City is subject to periodic storms, lowering temperatures.
D. Mexico city is farther from the Gulf of Mexico than Houston.
A. Mexico City has a higher elevation than Houston.