ASTRONOMY
When does Earth’s periodic position result in an increase in higher high tides and decrease in lower low tides?
A. when Earth is closest to the sun
B. when Earth is farthest to the sun
C. when Earth is closest to the moon
D. when Earth is in a line with the sun and moon
D. when Earth is in a line with the sun and moon
Which statement best explains the impact of the rock cycle on the lithosphere?
A. The rock cycle causes rocks to change into different types of rock.
B. The rock cycle causes rocks to break down to form mulch.
C. The rock cycle causes rocks to fold, fault, and fracture.
D. The rock cycle causes rocks to release built-up stress.
A. The rock cycle causes rocks to change into different types of rock.
How does the ocean affect coastal climates?
A. The ocean absorbs heat in the summer and releases heat in the winter because water has a high heat capacity.
B. The ocean releases heat in the summer and absorbs heat in the winter because water has a high heat capacity.
C. The ocean absorbs heat in the summer and releases heat in the winter because water has a low heat capacity.
D. The ocean releases heat in the summer and absorbs heat in the winter because water has a low heat capacity.
A. The ocean absorbs heat in the summer and releases heat in the winter because water has a high heat capacity.
How do scientists use the data from tree rings?
A. Scientists can use the data to study past climates.
B. Scientists can use the data to identify tree species.
C. Scientists can use the data to analyze the tree's DNA.
D. Scientists can use the data to predict future forest fires.
A. Scientists can use the data to study past climates.
Which practice would have the most negative effect on air quality?
A. building greenhouses for food production
B. burning fossil fuels for energy production
C. using wind turbines to produce electricity
D. developing farmland into residential space
B. burning fossil fuels for energy production
Which statement explains how Earth’s tilted axis and elliptical orbit are related to the seasons?
A. More solar energy reaches Earth when it is closest to the sun, while Earth’s tilt has more influence on the seasons.
B. Less solar energy reaches Earth when it is closest to the sun, while Earth’s tilt has more influence on the seasons.
C. More solar energy reaches Earth when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, while Earth’s distance from the sun has more influence on the seasons.
D. Less solar energy reaches Earth when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the sun, while Earth’s distance from the sun has more influence on the seasons.
A. More solar energy reaches Earth when it is closest to the sun, while Earth’s tilt has more influence on the seasons.
How are the boundaries of tectonic plates involved in the formation of mountain ranges and mid-ocean ridges?
A. Mid-ocean ridges and mountain ranges are both formed by convergent boundaries.
B. Mid-ocean ridges and mountain ranges are both formed by divergent boundaries.
C. Mid-ocean ridges are formed by convergent boundaries, while mountain ranges are formed by divergent boundaries.
D. Mid-ocean ridges are formed by divergent boundaries, while mountain ranges are formed by convergent boundaries.
D. Mid-ocean ridges are formed by divergent boundaries, while mountain ranges are formed by convergent boundaries.
Which best explains the cause of a sea breeze?
A. The equal heating of land and water causes the movement of air through convection.
B. The equal heating of land and water causes the movement of air through conduction.
C. The unequal heating of land and water causes the movement of air through conduction.
D. The unequal heating of land and water causes the movement of air through convection.
D. The unequal heating of land and water causes the movement of air through convection.
How are humans affecting Earth's carbon storage?
A. They are moving carbon from the fast cycle to the slow cycle, leading to an increase in the storage of carbon in Earth's biosphere and geosphere.
B. They are moving carbon from the slow cycle to the fast cycle, leading to an increase in the storage of carbon in Earth's biosphere and geosphere.
C. They are moving carbon from the slow cycle to the fast cycle, leading to an increase in the storage of carbon in Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere.
D. They are moving carbon from the fast cycle to the slow cycle, leading to an increase in the storage of carbon in Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere.
C. They are moving carbon from the slow cycle to the fast cycle, leading to an increase in the storage of carbon in Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere.
How does urbanization most likely affect the occurrence of flooding?
A. Urbanization increases flooding by increasing infiltration.
B. Urbanization increases flooding by preventing infiltration.
C. Urbanization decreases flooding by increasing infiltration.
D. Urbanization decreases flooding by preventing infiltration.
B. Urbanization increases flooding by preventing infiltration.
Why is the mantle important to the movement of Earth's plates?
A. Conduction from the core creates strong magnetic fields in the mantle, which help to move Earth's plates.
B. Pressure from the core creates convection currents in the mantle, which help to move Earth's plates.
C. Heavy metals in the mantle create strong magnetic fields, which help to move Earth's plates.
D. Temperature differences in the mantle create convection currents, which help to move Earth's plates.
D. Temperature differences in the mantle create convection currents, which help to move Earth's plates.
Volcanic eruptions can have a significant effect on global climate. How do volcanic eruptions affect global climate?
A. Volcanic ash seeds clouds, increasing global rainfall.
B. Heat from ejected lava increases average global temperatures.
C. Sulfur dioxide released by volcanoes increases the reflectivity of the atmosphere, causing Earth to cool.
D. Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of carbon dioxide, increasing global temperatures.
C. Sulfur dioxide released by volcanoes increases the reflectivity of the atmosphere, causing Earth to cool.
A maritime polar air mass forms over the ocean at a high latitude, while a maritime tropical air mass forms over the ocean at a lower latitude. What is the effect of the maritime polar air mass overtaking the maritime tropical air mass?
A. There will be heavy rain for a short period of time.
B. There will be heavy rain for a long period of time.
C. There will be light rain for a short period of time.
D. There will be light rain for a long period of time.
A. There will be heavy rain for a short period of time.
Which of the following is TRUE?
A. Human activities are causing a decrease in average ocean temperatures closer to the surface.
B. Human activities are causing an increase in average ocean temperatures at lower depths.
C. Human activities are causing a decrease in average ocean temperatures at lower depths.
D. Human activities are causing an increase in average ocean temperatures closer to the surface.
D. Human activities are causing an increase in average ocean temperatures closer to the surface.
What occurs when used engine oil is poured into the pit in the ground?
A. The oil seeps through the soil but stops before it reaches the groundwater due to the difference in densities.
B. The oil seeps through the soil until it leaks into, and mixes with, the groundwater.
C. The oil creates a membrane barrier between the water table and the groundwater.
D. The oil remains sealed in the small disposal pit and does not affect the groundwater.
B. The oil seeps through the soil until it leaks into, and mixes with, the groundwater.
Which characteristics of the solar system are best explained by the shape and motion of the flattened, spinning disc that came from the solar nebula?
A. The disc shape of the flattened solar nebula explains the spherical shape of the planets. The spinning motion of the disc explains why all of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction as the Sun’s rotation.
B. The disc shape of the flattened solar nebula explains the spherical shape of the planets. The spinning motion of the disc explains why all of the planets orbit the Sun in the opposing direction as the Sun’s rotation.
C. The flattened shape of the spinning disc explains why all of the planets lie in the same plane. The spinning motion of the disc explains why all of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction as the Sun’s rotation.
D. The flattened shape of the spinning disc explains why all of the planets lie in the same plane. The spinning motion of the disc explains why all of the planets orbit the Sun in the opposing direction as the Sun’s rotation.
C. The flattened shape of the spinning disc explains why all of the planets lie in the same plane. The spinning motion of the disc explains why all of the planets orbit the Sun in the same direction as the Sun’s rotation.
Following an earthquake, why do seismologists investigate the resulting P and S waves from the earthquake?
A. to determine the date for the next major earthquake
B. to prevent an earthquake from occurring in the area
C. to predict earthquake foreshocks in the area
D. to locate the epicenter of the earthquake
D. to locate the epicenter of the earthquake
How does water temperature affect the tendency of ocean currents to flow away from the equator?
A. The cooler winter temperature at the equator lowers the density of the water.
B. The cooler winter temperature at the equator raises the density of the water.
C. The warmer temperature at the equator lowers the density of the water.
D. The warmer temperature at the equator raises the density of the water.
C. The warmer temperature at the equator lowers the density of the water.
How is climate change affecting the acidity of the oceans?
A. The oceans are absorbing an excess amount of water vapor, causing them to become more acidic.
B. The oceans are absorbing an excess amount of carbon dioxide, causing them to become more basic.
C. The oceans are absorbing an excess amount of carbon dioxide, causing them to become more acidic.
D. The oceans are absorbing an excess amount of water vapor, causing them to become more basic
C. The oceans are absorbing an excess amount of carbon dioxide, causing them to become more acidic.
Which of the following is TRUE?
A. As the sea surface temperature increases, the percent of healthy coral and the number of fish species increase.
B. As the sea surface temperature increases, the percent of healthy coral and the number of fish species decrease.
C. As the sea surface temperature increases, the percent of healthy coral decreases, but the number of fish species increases.
D. As the sea surface temperature increases, the percent of healthy coral increases, but the number of fish species decreases.
B. As the sea surface temperature increases, the percent of healthy coral and the number of fish species decrease.
The Sun's energy is produced by nuclear reactions. Which of the following best explains why chemical reactions could not be the energy source of the Sun?
A. Chemical reactions do not produce heat, so they would not be able to provide the same type of energy as the Sun.
B. Chemical reactions do not produce light, so they would not be able to provide the same type of energy as the Sun.
C. Chemical reactions produce substantially more energy than nuclear reactions, so they would cause the Sun to complete its life cycle in a very short period of time.
D. Chemical reactions produce substantially less energy than nuclear reactions, so they would not be able to provide enough energy to fuel the Sun over a long period of time.
D. Chemical reactions produce substantially less energy than nuclear reactions, so they would not be able to provide enough energy to fuel the Sun over a long period of time.
At which location is an earthquake most likely to occur?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
A. 1
Which of the following is TRUE?
A. The bonds between water molecules are weaker in fresh water than in salt water.
B. The bonds between water molecules are stronger in fresh water than in salt water.
C. The water molecules in fresh water are larger than the water molecules in salt water.
D. The water molecules in fresh water are smaller than the water molecules in salt water.
B. The bonds between water molecules are stronger in fresh water than in salt water.
Which best describes the process represented by the letter Y in the diagram?
A. Letter Y represents carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the biosphere in the process of photosynthesis.
B. Letter Y represents carbon cycling between the hydrosphere and the biosphere in the process of respiration.
C. Letter Y represents carbon cycling between the geosphere and the hydrosphere in the process of photosynthesis.
D. Letter Y represents carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the geosphere in the process of respiration.
A. Letter Y represents carbon cycling between the atmosphere and the biosphere in the process of photosynthesis.
Which best describes why trees are important in preventing floods?
A. Tree roots loosen topsoil, reducing erosion and runoff.
B. Tree roots loosen topsoil, increasing erosion and runoff.
C. Tree roots help keep soil intact, increasing erosion and runoff.
D. Tree roots help to keep soil intact, reducing erosion and runoff.
D. Tree roots help to keep soil intact, reducing erosion and runoff.