Earth History
A geologist identifies the identical index fossils in rock layers from two different areas. Which conclusion is best supported by this discovery?
A The deposition rate of the two rock layers was identical.
B The fossil organism evolved independently in the two separate areas.
C The two rock layers were deposited at approximately the same time.
D The index fossil will also occur in sediment deposited on top of these rock layers.
Which evidence supports the idea that life on Earth has continually evolved?
A evidence from layers of tree rings
B evidence from rock layers, fossils, and ice cores
C evidence gathered from melting glaciers
D evidence that the climate has changed over the past 100 years
How would a large increase in the salinity of an estuary most likely affect the ecosystem of the estuary?
A All organisms would die.
B All organisms would continue to live as they now do.
C The number of salt-tolerant organisms would increase, and the number of salt-intolerant organisms would decrease.
D The number of salt-intolerant organisms would increase, and the number of salt-tolerant organisms would decrease.
In some environments, wolves prey on deer for their source of food. If all of the wolves were taken from the environment, what would most likely happen to the deer population?
A The deer population would increase and begin to compete for food.
B The deer population would become larger and healthier animals.
C The deer population would decrease, because there would be an increase in disease.
D The deer population would change color, because they would not have to hide from wolves.
How would smoking tobacco most likely have a negative impact on the ability of an individual to succeed at physical activities?
A It interferes with balance and coordination.
B It decreases the ability to make decisions rapidly.
C It decreases stamina and cardiovascular efficiency.
D It decreases the speed and power of muscle contractions.
Which disease is caused by a fungal infection?
A intestinal worms
B influenza
C chicken pox
D athlete’s foot
Which of these careers would a student studying biotechnology most likely pursue?
A electrical engineering
B astronomy
C agricultural research
D geology
What is the source of practically all of our energy on Earth?
A carbon dioxide.
B our bodies
C the sun
D the force
Which is the best example of a pure substance?
A peanuts
B milk
C gold
D air
Which supports the theory that some mountains were once at the bottom of an ocean?
A There are underwater mountains on the ocean floor today.
B Freshwater rivers flow to the ocean.
C Fossils of marine organisms are found on the tops of some mountains.
D Both mountains and ocean floors have similar minerals in their rocks.
Which would most likely increase the genetic variation in a population of organisms?
A increase in diseases
B decrease in diseases
C increase in mutations
D decrease in mutations
Which would indicate the water in a lake is not safe for drinking?
A many varieties of fish in the lake
B high dissolved-oxygen levels in the lake
C cold water temperature of the lake
D high turbidity levels in the lake
How are mutualism and parasitism different?
A Both organisms benefit in mutualism, while in parasitism only one organism benefits at the other’s expense.
B Both organisms benefit in parasitism, while in mutualism only one organism benefits at the other’s expense.
C Both organisms benefit in mutualism, while in parasitism one organism benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor benefits.
D Both organisms benefit in parasitism, while in mutualism one organism benefits, and the other is neither harmed nor benefits.
Why is a healthy diet important?
A It maintains a constant body temperature.
B It prevents damage to internal organs.
C It makes oxygen for all the cells in the body.
D It supplies the body’s needs for growth and energy.
How are pandemics different than epidemics?
A Pandemics affect blood; epidemics affect skin.
B Pandemics affect many countries or states; an epidemic is more localized.
C Pandemics are caused by bacteria; epidemics are caused by viruses.
D Pandemics are spread through the air; epidemics are spread through the water.
What is involved in creating genetically modified bacteria?
A allowing them to reproduce freely
B changing their food source
C using biotechnology techniques
D growing them on selected plants
Which is a nonrenewable resource?
A oil
B sunlight
C water
D wood
Which is classified as an element?
A carbon dioxide
B iron
C vinegar
D water
Which is the most accurate method scientists use to predict the age of Earth?
A relative dating of rock layers
B radioactive dating of rocks
C comparing the ages of different fossils
D investigating core samples from the Arctic
Which is the best evidence for evolution?
A new rock layers containing fossils of simple organisms.
B new rock layers containing fossils unlike existing organisms
C old rock layers containing fossils unlike existing organisms
D old rock layers containing fossils of complex organisms
Which best explains why all of the Earth’s freshwater is not available for human use?
A Most of Earth’s freshwater is only in lakes.
B Most of Earth’s freshwater is underground.
C Most of Earth’s freshwater is still in the water cycle.
D Most of Earth’s freshwater is frozen water.
What would have the greatest long-term impact on reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air?
A planting trees around a farm
B cutting down trees around a farm
C increasing the number of livestock on a farm
D decreasing the number of livestock on a farm
Which is the primary source of energy for most cells in the body?
A sugar
B fat
C protein
D vitamin
Many infectious diseases have been nearly eliminated worldwide. Why should global studies of infectious diseases continue?
A All infectious disease organisms are fatal.
B All infectious diseases are resistant to any form of treatment.
C All infectious disease organisms have the ability to mutate, adapt, and survive.
D All infectious diseases are caused by viruses that do not respond to antibiotics.
Which is one possible human benefit from biotechnology research?
A producing crops that can grow in areas where they normally do not grow.
B producing new types of disease-causing viruses
C increasing the ability to turn ocean water to freshwater
D creating new types of buildings that can withstand hurricanes
Which is an example of a renewable energy resource?
A biomass
B coal
C gas
D oil
Which statement is true about a chemical reaction?
A The physical states of the atoms in the reactants determine the products.
B Some of the atoms in the reactants will be a part of the products.
C The number of atoms in the reactants determines the products.
D All of the atoms in the reactants will be a part of the products.
Which is the best reason for scientists to study ice cores obtained from Earth’s ice caps?
A to evaluate potential oil drilling sites
B to study the quality of water stored in glaciers
C to determine the rate of melting in polar regions
D to study past climates by analyzing trapped gases and particles
If a bat, an alligator, and a bird evolved from a common ancestor, what most likely can be concluded?
A They have similar anatomical structures.
B They live in the same part of the world.
C They are in the same biological classification.
D They are able to survive changes in their environments.
How can upwellings improve fishing for ocean fishermen?
A They cause the ocean water to get warmer.
B They cause ocean currents to remain calm.
C They bring nutrients from the cold, deep ocean waters.
D They bring ocean currents from the equator.
What happens to most of the energy as it moves throughout a food web?
A It is changed into light energy.
B It is changed into heat energy.
C It is changed into mass.
D It is changed into decomposers.
A runner is preparing to run a long race. Which would provide the highest level of energy for the runner?
A minerals
B carbohydrates
C proteins
D vitamins
How can the rate of an infectious disease be drastically reduced?
A by taking medication daily
B by preventing transmission between people
C by wearing clean clothing daily
D by performing dental hygiene three times each day
How can biotechnology help farmers overcome sudden changes in the global climate?
A by changing the types of soil in which the crops are planted
B by developing crops that are resistant to adverse weather
C by rotating the crops within the same field
D by only planting crops in the winter.
Which would least likely have an impact on global climate changes?
A producing energy using hydroelectric plants
B producing energy using coal
C producing energy using oil
D producing energy using natural gas
Which best explains why the total mass of the product(s) would be less than the total weight of the reactant(s) after a chemical reaction?
A A physical change occurred.
B Atoms involved in the reaction lost mass.
C Precipitates were created in the new solution.
D Gases were released to the atmosphere.
Which best describes uniformitarianism?
A The time it takes for erosion to occur has changed since Earth first formed.
B The movement of the continents no longer occurs because of changes in ocean currents.
C The processes that shape the Earth continue as they have since the Earth formed.
D The formation of rock layers has slowed because humans have altered the environment.
A strawberry farmer finds that, after a hard freeze, some of his strawberries are still alive. Which best explains why these strawberries were able to survive?
A They have larger leaves to protect the fruit than the other strawberries.
B They have different genetic variations that cause them to be more resistant to cold temperatures.
C They are able to reproduce more quickly than the other strawberries.
D The color of the strawberries is darker, and they maintain their temperature better than other strawberries.
If a lake has excess levels of phosphates and nitrates in its water, what will most likely result?
A The temperature of the lake water will decrease.
B The turbidity levels of the lake will decrease.
C The dissolved-oxygen levels in the lake will increase.
D The growth of algae in the lake will increase.
Which best represents the flow of energy within an aquatic ecosystem?
A algae → insects → fish → turtle → sunlight
B insects → algae → fish → turtle → sunlight
C sunlight → insects → algae → fish → turtle
D sunlight → algae → insects → fish → turtle
Why are digestion and respiration important to the body?
A They control the production of hormones in the body.
B They build muscle and bone that the body needs.
C They store food for the body.
D They help provide the energy needed for body functions.
Which is the best way to help prevent the flu from becoming a pandemic?
A getting a vaccination
B taking antibiotics
C eating fruits and vegetables
D washing hands often
How has biotechnology helped to improve the agricultural industry?
A by developing irrigation systems that cover a large land area
B by creating some crops that resist certain insects
C by producing soil free of decomposers
D by developing machines that help farmers harvest crops faster
Which is a problem with using wind turbines to produce energy?
A Wind turbines are efficient only in certain areas.
B Wind turbines occupy a small area of land.
C Wind turbines produce a large amount of energy.
D Wind turbines create a large amount of pollution.
How does a balanced chemical equation satisfy the Law of Conservation of Mass?
A During a chemical reaction, the total amount of matter stays the same.
B During a chemical reaction, matter is destroyed.
C During a chemical reaction, one or more new substances are formed.
D During a chemical reaction, the total number of atoms increases.