Review

Stuff

100

Francesca creates a model that shows the movement of the tectonic plates of the Earth's surface. If she wants to use the model to understand the concept of how a mountain is formed, how does that model help her? a. It shows all of the plates in the correct layout. b. It explains in detail how mountains are formed. c. It displays details that cannot be seen in a drawing. d. It visualizes a process that takes millions of years.

d. It visualizes a process that takes millions of years.

200

Over the past 50 years, people have diverted much of the water in the Everglades to support large sugar cane farms. What negative result would you expect that this had on the Everglades area? a. It reduced the numbers and types of plants and animals. b. It prepares a once useless area to be used as farmland. c. It decreased the amount of land on which people could live. d. It lowered the numbers of disease causing mosquitoes in the area.

a. It reduced the numbers and types of plants and animals.

300

Lori is learning about two parts of the rock cycle: weathering and erosion. She needs to explain how weathering and erosion are different. Which of the following correctly describes the difference between weathering and erosion? a. Weathering is the movement of rocks by wind; erosion is the movement of rocks by water. b. Weathering is the formation of rocks from lava; erosion is the weathered materials from an area. c. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks; erosion is the movement of weathered materials. d. Weathering is when rocks change from one type of rock to another; erosion is when rocks are broken down.

c. Weathering is the breaking down of rocks; erosion is the movement of weathered materials.

400

An unusual type of fossil clam is found in rock layers high in the Swiss Alps. The same type of fossil clam is also found in the Rocky Mountains of North America. From this, scientists conclude that a. glaciers carried the fossils up the mountains b. the Rocky Mountains and the Swiss Alps are both volcanic in origin c. clams once lived in mountains, but have since evolved into sea-dwelling creatures d. the layers of rocks in which the fossils were found are from the same geologic age

d. the layers of rocks in which the fossils were found are from the same geologic age

500

42. Tycho Brahe (1546–1601) was a Danish astronomer who observed the planets and stars without the benefit of a telescope. He kept records of planetary motion. His assistant, Johannes Kepler, used these records to formulate his three laws, which accurately predicted planetary motion. What does this suggest is the most important aspect of scientific study? a. control over the variables of interest b. access to modern equipment and research methods c. ability to make observations and accurately record data d. sufficient time to conduct a study and the amount of data recorded

c. ability to make observations and accurately record data

Stuff and Things

100

A newspaper article reported that a fossil was found that was 200,000 years old according to generally accepted radioactive dating procedures. A letter to the editor of the newspaper disputed the accuracy of the age etermination because the fossil was found closer to the Earth's surface than were previously discovered fossils of the same age. Which of the following would be an appropriate argument against the letter writer's claim? a. Older rock layers commonly lie deeper underground than younger ones. b. Older rock layers may be pushed closer to the surface by geologic processes. c. The age of a rock layer can often help in determining the age of the fossils it contains. d. Fossils form only under certain conditions.

b. Older rock layers may be pushed closer to the surface by geologic processes.

200

According to the theory of plate tectonics, the movement of plates can form Mountain ranges and valleys. Within the next 100 million years, the Great Rift Valley in Africa will most likely become a a. folded mountain range b. flat eroded plain c. desert covered with lava d. wider and deeper valley

d. wider and deeper valley

300

The Rocky Mountains are known for beautiful scenery. Which processes of the Rocky Mountains most likely required the longest period of time to occur? a. growth of plants and trees b. formation of valleys from glaciers c. large uplift of the land from tectonic forces d. large accumulation of snow on the mountaintops

c. large uplift of the land from tectonic forces

400

Many places, like the Grand Canyon, are the result of a combination of processes that continue to shape Earth, like the water cycle and the rock cycle. How does the water cycle influence the rock cycle in an area like the Grand Canyon? a. Large amounts of flowing water increase the rate of weathering and erosion. b. Too much rain soaking into the ground slows the rate of new rock formation. c. Sudden evaporation of water removes moisture from rock layers in the canyon walls. d. Decreased rainfall makes the rocks hard and brittle, so that they crumble into pebbles.

a. Large amounts of flowing water increase the rate of weathering and erosion.

500

Ann stood at the top of a mountain, she wondered about the time involved in forming a mountain. Which of the following processes takes approximately the same amount of time as mountain formation? a. rising and falling of tides b. cycling of nutrients in nature c. creating a new mid-ocean ridge d. gathering of clouds for a thunderstorm

c. creating a new mid-ocean ridge

Things and Stuff

100

In an area where a river has cut deep into Earth, there are several layers of very different rock exposed. The oldest rock layer is most likely to be the layer that is a. Below the other layers. b. The thickest layer. c. The most rich in fossils. d. Igneous intrusive rock.

a. Below the other layers.

200

Evidence suggests that Earth is about 4.6 billion years old, even though no Earth rocks have been found that can be dated at more than 4 billion years old. This discrepancy is most likely caused by Earth’s original crust being a. Difficult to date so precisely. b. Subject to extensive erosion. c. Blasted away during Earth’s formation. d. Destroyed by solar radiation

b. Subject to extensive erosion.

300

Which of the following provides evidence for plate tectonics? a. Sea-floor topography b. Ocean currents c. Wind patterns d. Atmospheric temperatures.

a. Sea-floor topography

400

The youngest rocks on the ocean floor are typically located near what feature? a. a mid-ocean ridge b. a continental shelf c. an abyssal plain d. a subduction trench

a. a mid-ocean ridge

500

Michael studied the effects of temperature and pressure on the expansion rate of gases. When publishing the results of the experiment for others to study, which of the following would be most important for Michael to include? a. detailed steps in the procedures used _ b. cost of the materials used in the study c. acknowledgement of family members d. name of the building where the experiments were performed

a. detailed steps in the procedures used

Really? Stuff?

100

The convergence of two continental plates would produce a. island arcs. b. rift valleys. c. folded mountains. d. trenches

c. folded mountains.

200

Which of the following is most responsible for the formation of new crust at the edge of a tectonic plate? a. mountain building at a continent-continent convergent boundary b. magma rising up from the mantle at a divergent boundary c. two tectonic plates sliding past one another at a transform boundary d. subduction of one oceanic plate under another at a convergent boundary

b. magma rising up from the mantle at a divergent boundary

300

Scientists have found fossils of tropical plants in Antarctica. How could tropical plants have grown in Antarctica? a. At one time, Earth’s entire surface was a tropical rain forest. b. At one time, Antarctica was located closer to the equator. c. The rotation of Earth has increased, causing cooling of the atmosphere. d. Catastrophic volcanic eruptions melted the ice and exposed the soil to sunlight.

b. At one time, Antarctica was located closer to the equator.

400

Rocks found in streams can have rough edges and sharp grooves. What is the process that roughened the edges and caused the grooves? a. Erosion b. Intrusion c. Deposition d. Metamorphism

a. Erosion

500

Scientists once thought there was no life on the deep-sea floor due to the lack of sunlight. However, in the 1970s, complete ecosystems were discovered on the deep-sea floor that depend on energy from chemical reactions rather than energy from sunlight. Which conclusion can be drawn from this discovery? a. Organisms are able to survive under any conditions. b. Observations will always lead to the discovery of new organisms. c. Organisms may be discovered in remote areas and extreme conditions. _ d. Observations collected on existing organisms can apply to any organism.

c. Organisms may be discovered in remote areas and extreme conditions.

Stuff? Really?

100

The absolute age of a rock is the approximate number of years ago that the rock formed. The absolute age of an igneous rock can best be determined by a.measuring the amounts of radioactive isotopes in the rock b.comparing the sizes of the crystals found in the upper and lower parts of the rock c.examining the rock’s relative position in a rock outcrop d.observing the environment in which the rock is found

a.measuring the amounts of radioactive isotopes in the rock

200

Earthquakes tend to occur most often in areas where tectonic plates do which of the following? a.move slowly b.move very little c.push into each other d.grind past each other

d.grind past each other

300

As Franklin is walking to school, he notices a new neighborhood being built. The first thing the builders do is remove all of the trees. Which of the following effects would result from this action? a.an increase in soil erosion b.a creation of new plant species c.a reduction in levels of pollution d.a growth in the variety of animals

a.an increase in soil erosion

400

. Cory is explaining the principle of superposition to his friend. Which of the following is the best explanation Cory could give? a."Layers of rock are usually made of completely different substances." b."In an area of undisturbed rock, the oldest layers of rock will be on the bottom." c."The age of rocks can be determined by the ratio of radioactive isotopes present." d."To estimate the age of rocks accurately, use fossils embedded in the rock layers."

b."In an area of undisturbed rock, the oldest layers of rock will be on the bottom."

500

Which evidence best supports the idea that the land masses on earth were once together? a. North America and India have matching mountain chains. b. Madagascar and India have similar shapes. c. Matching rock layers can be found in Africa and South America. d. Bedrock in Australia and Greenland have glacier scratches.

c. Matching rock layers can be found in Africa and South America.