Which of the following is an example of kinetic energy?
A. A stretched rubber band
B. A book sitting on a shelf
C. A ball rolling across the floor
D. A battery not being used
C. A ball rolling across the floor
Which of the following best describes a mutualistic relationship?
A. A flea feeding on a dog’s blood
B. A bird eating insects off a zebra’s back
C. A lion hunting an antelope
D. Two squirrels fighting over a nut
B. A bird eating insects off a zebra’s back
What type of weather is most likely to occur when a cold air mass quickly moves into a region with warm, moist air?
A. Calm and dry conditions
B. Extended periods of sunshine
C. Sudden thunderstorms or severe weather
D. Light snow flurries
C. Sudden thunderstorms or severe weather
Which of the following contributes most to the movement of oceanic convection currents?
A. The gravitational pull of the Moon
B. The Earth’s rotation
C. Heat from the Sun and differences in salt concentration
D. Underwater volcanic eruptions
C. Heat from the Sun and differences in salt concentration
The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that kills ash trees in Tennessee forests. What is a possible effect of its spread?
A. An increase in ash tree population
B. Native birds begin nesting in ash trees
C. Loss of habitat for native animals that rely on ash trees
D. Decrease in sunlight reaching the forest floor
C. Loss of habitat for native animals that rely on ash trees
Which type of energy is stored in food and fuel?
A. Gravitational potential energy
B. Elastic potential energy
C. Chemical energy
D. Electric potential energy
C. Chemical energy
How is parasitism different from mutualism?
A. In parasitism, both organisms benefit.
B. In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
C. In mutualism, only one organism benefits.
D. In mutualism, both organisms are harmed.
B. In parasitism, one organism benefits and the other is harmed.
A weather map shows a large “H” over a region. What weather is most likely in that area?
A. Stormy weather with heavy rain
B. Warm and humid conditions
C. Cool temperatures with snowfall
D. Clear skies and calm weather
D. Clear skies and calm weather
When a metal spoon is placed in a hot cup of tea, the handle becomes warm. Which type of heat transfer is this?
A. Radiation
B. Conduction
C. Convection
D. Absorption
B. Conduction
Which human activity is most likely to lead to species endangerment?
A. Planting native flowers in a community garden
B. Practicing catch-and-release fishing
C. Destroying wetlands to build shopping centers
D. Using reusable water bottles
C. Destroying wetlands to build shopping centers
A student drops a basketball from a certain height. Which best describes the energy transformation that occurs as the ball falls?
A. Kinetic energy turns into potential energy
B. Thermal energy becomes gravitational potential energy
C. Potential energy transforms into kinetic energy
D. Chemical energy changes into thermal energy
C. Potential energy transforms into kinetic energy
A city has replaced large areas of forest with concrete roads and parking lots. What is the most likely impact of this change on the local water cycle?
A. Increased groundwater absorption and less surface runoff
B. Decreased evaporation and increased infiltration
C. Increased surface runoff and decreased groundwater recharge
D. More precipitation and higher water table levels
C. Increased surface runoff and decreased groundwater recharge
How do low-pressure systems affect weather conditions?
A. They usually bring clear skies and high temperatures.
B. They are associated with calm and dry conditions.
C. They often lead to cloudy skies, wind, and precipitation.
D. They cause sudden drops in temperature without rain.
C. They often lead to cloudy skies, wind, and precipitation.
Which best describes the direction of a sea breeze during the day?
A. From the land to the sea
B. From the sea to the land
C. From the mountains to the valley
D. From the clouds to the ground
B. From the sea to the land
If a forest loses many of its plant and animal species, what is the most likely outcome?
A. The forest will have more water and sunlight
B. The ecosystem will become more stable
C. The remaining organisms will become stronger
D. The ecosystem will become less stable and lose resources
D. The ecosystem will become less stable and lose resources
Two identical balls are rolled across a gym floor. Ball A moves faster than Ball B. Which of the following is true?
A. Ball A has more kinetic energy than Ball B
B. Ball B has more kinetic energy because it is slower
C. Both balls have the same kinetic energy because they are identical
D. Kinetic energy does not depend on speed
A. Ball A has more kinetic energy than Ball B
A group of students wants to study how fertilizer use in farming affects the water cycle in nearby streams and rivers. Which method would best help them collect and analyze data for this investigation?
A. Measure the daily rainfall in the area
B. Compare plant growth in fertilized and unfertilized fields
C. Test water samples from streams for nutrient levels after rainfall
D. Count the number of farms near each stream
C. Test water samples from streams for nutrient levels after rainfall
A weather satellite detects a warm front approaching a cold air mass. Based on this data, what prediction can best be made about upcoming local weather?
A. A fast-moving snowstorm is likely to occur.
B. There will be a sudden drop in temperature followed by clear skies.
C. Light rain and rising temperatures are expected as the warm front moves in.
D. Strong winds and dry air will push the front away from the region.
C. Light rain and rising temperatures are expected as the warm front moves in.
What causes a sea breeze to occur?
A. Water heats up faster than land during the day
B. Land heats up faster than water during the day
C. The Moon pulls air toward the ocean
D. Warm air over the ocean sinks quickly
B. Land heats up faster than water during the day
Which biome has permanently frozen soil (permafrost), low temperatures, and very few trees?
A. Taiga
B. Rainforest
C. Tundra
D. Grasslands
C. Tundra
A student places a metal spoon in a hot cup of soup. After a few minutes, the handle of the spoon becomes warm. Which method of heat transfer is this an example of?
A. Radiation
B. Convection
C. Conduction
D. Absorption
C. Conduction
n an ecosystem, two species of birds eat the same type of insect. Over time, the insect population decreases. What impact will this most likely have?
A. Both bird species will grow stronger
B. One bird species may outcompete the other for food
C. The birds will stop being consumers
D. The insect population will increase again immediately
B. One bird species may outcompete the other for food
A cold front is approaching a region with warm, moist air. What weather conditions are most likely to occur as the front passes through?
A. Strong storms followed by cooler, drier air
B. Prolonged drizzle and gradually warming temperatures
C. Calm winds and increasing humidity
D. Hot and dry conditions with little to no cloud cover
A. Strong storms followed by cooler, drier air
Why does a coastal city usually have a milder climate than a city farther inland?
A. Cities near the ocean receive more rainfall
B. Coastal cities are closer to the equator
C. Ocean currents and winds regulate temperature near coasts
D. Inland cities have more buildings to trap heat
C. Ocean currents and winds regulate temperature near coasts
Which of the following best describes a main difference between a grassland and a rainforest biome?
A. Grasslands have more tree species than rainforests.
B. Rainforests receive much more rainfall than grasslands.
C. Grasslands are located near the equator, while rainforests are not.
D. Rainforests have fewer animal species than grasslands.
B. Rainforests receive much more rainfall than grasslands.