1-5
6-10
11-15
15-18
100
Devils Tower is a landform in Wyoming that was buried underground for millions of years. About 5 million years ago, several processes occurred that left Devil's Tower partly above ground and partially below ground.
Which statement best explains one of the rock layers around the landform?
A. Layer Y was once lava.
B. Layer Z was once an ocean.
C. Layer Y is younger than Layer X.
D. Layer X was once under the ocean.
D. Layer X was once under the ocean.
100
Kilauea is an active volcano on the island of Hawaii. It has been erupting since 1983.
Kilauea releases two kinds of lava. Kilauea’s quieter eruptions release a slow-moving lava called “pahoehoe.” When it cools, pahoehoe forms smooth rocks. Kilauea’s loud, explosive eruptions release a fast-moving lava called “a‘a.” When it cools, a‘a forms rocks with sharp edges.
Picture 1 shows pahoehoe and a‘a.
The pahoehoe lava flows down the side of the Kilauea volcano. Scientists want to predict which way the lava will flow next so that they can warn people and villages that may be in the way. The figure shows two paths that the lava could take.
- Part A: When lava is released from a volcano, it is very hot.
How is lava flowing from a volcano most dangerous to humans?
A The lava can start fires, destroy buildings, and block roads.
B The lava can heat up the ocean and kill all the fish that humans eat.
C The lava can cover the land so that crops can no longer grow in that place.
D The lava can cause lakes in its path to boil and make the lakes too hot for humans to swim in.
A The lava can start fires, destroy buildings, and block roads.
100
Students experiment to find out whether different materials could be used to slow down the erosion of the Louisiana coastline. They cut four 3 liter plastic bottles in half from top to bottom. They add the same amount of soil to each bottle. They add different kinds of materials to the soil in three of the bottles. They put a bowl at the end of each bottle. They pour 100 milliliters of water over the soil in each bottle.
The students dry and weigh the soil from the bowls. Their data are shown in the table
One student poured the water at a much faster rate than another student. Which claim can be made about the rate of erosion?
A The faster the water is poured, the rate of erosion will increase.
B The faster the water is poured, the rate of erosion will decrease.
C The faster the water is poured, the rate of erosion will stay the same.
D The rate of pouring water has no effect on rate of erosion.
A The faster the water is poured, the rate of erosion will increase.
100
The pattern of where volcanoes happen and earthquakes occur is shown on the map. 
Part A: Which statement describes the pattern of where volcanoes are found and earthquakes occur?
A Most volcanoes are found on land and earthquakes occur in the ocean.
B Most volcanoes are found and most earthquakes occur on the edge of continents.
C Most volcanoes are found and most earthquakes occur on island near continents.
D Most volcanoes are found far from the edge of continents but earthquakes occur near continents.
B Most volcanoes are found and most earthquakes occur on the edge of continents.
200
Which claim can be made about the layers in Figure 1? 
A Layer 1 was once under water.
B Layer 4 is younger than Layer 3.
C Layer 4 was once under water.
D Layer 2 is younger than Layer 3.
D Layer 2 is younger than Layer 3.
200
Part B: The people living in Hawaii have found that building walls to guide the lava does not work.
Which solution will best help people avoid harm to themselves and their structures?
A building a ring of lakes around the volcano to catch and cool all the lava
B digging deep trenches down the mountainside to guide the lava away from structures
C sending the fire department out to spray the lava with a lot of water to stop it from moving
D studying maps that show where the lava may flow after an eruption in order to avoid building in those areas
D studying maps that show where the lava may flow after an eruption in order to avoid building in those areas
200
Based on the students’ data, which statement describes the material that will help prevent the greatest amount of erosion?
A Add netting, because it kept the greatest amount of soil in the bottle.
B Add sand, because some of it moved into the bowl along with the soil.
C Add rocks, because only a few were needed in order to keep a lot of soil in the bottle.
D Add no material, because having only soil caused the greatest amount of soil to move into the bowl.
A Add netting, because it kept the greatest amount of soil in the bottle.
200
How can scientist best use the pattern identified in part A?
A to prevent future earthquakes
B to predict where volcanoes will erupt.
C to stop damage from volcanic eruptions.
D to design homes that will survive earthquakes.
B to predict where volcanoes will erupt.
300
PART A: The picture below shows a limestone building block. Which claim can be made by observing the fossils in the block
A The fossils were formed from land sediments.
B The fossils were formed recently.
C The fossils were formed from ocean sediments.
D The fossils were from large animals.
C The fossils were formed from ocean sediments.
300
The locations of mountain ranges are shown on the map.
Which pattern describes the locations of the mountain ranges shown on the map?
A Most mountain ranges are found along ocean and continent boundaries.
B Most mountain ranges are found on islands.
C Most mountain ranges are found where two oceans meet.
D Most mountain ranges are found near the equator.
A Most mountain ranges are found along ocean and continent boundaries.
300
Erosion is the process of moving weathered rock from one place to another. Select 3 causes of erosion.
A water
B soil
C gravity
D wind
E plants
A water
D wind
E plants
300
The image below shows some rocks near the shores of the east coast.
Which statement best explains the cause of the holes that formed in the rocks in this coastal area of the east coast?
A The east coast had a large rain storm that lasted a few days which eroded the rocks.
B The east coast has large amounts of vegetation planted around the rocks that putting pressure on the rocks causing them to form holes.
C The wind and water from the ocean eroded the rock over a long period of time.
D The salt water from the ocean froze in the rocks causing them to split.
C The wind and water from the ocean eroded the rock over a long period of time.
400
PART B: Which statement best supports your answer to Part A?
A Shells and sea animals are usually very large in size.
B The shells and sea animal fossils look very old.
C Shells and sea animal fossils are found far from the ocean.
D Shells and sea animal fossils are found in the ocean.
D Shells and sea animal fossils are found in the ocean.
400
In the early 1900s farmers plowed large areas of land to plant crops. This removed the natural grasses and trees. These plants had deep roots that would keep the soil in place. In the 1930s, there was a long drought so the crops would not grow. This exposed large areas of bare soil. The wind picked up a large amount of soil and blew it away.
After the drought ended, the U.S. government encouraged farmers to change their farming practices so this would not happen again. 
Which practice would best help the soil stay in place?
A Planting only natural grasses and corn.
B Planting soybeans in fields next to fields with cattle.
C Planting trees and grasses in areas between fields with crops.
D Building pipelines to carry water to use sprinklers in the fields.
C Planting trees and grasses in areas between fields with crops.
400
A student is conducting an experiment with water erosion. She sets up soil in a bucket and applies different amounts of water with a spray bottle. She records how much soil is washed away with each spray of water.
Which claim can be made about soil erosion by water?
A The more water she sprays, the less the soil will erode.
B The less water she sprays, the more the soil will erode.
C The more water she sprays, the more the soil will erode.
D The soil will stay the same no matter how much water is sprayed.
C The more water she sprays, the more the soil will erode.
400
This image is a rock formation in the middle of a desert.
Which event most likely caused the changes in the rock formation over a period of time?
A Strong rains beating against the rocks eroded the rock into the formation.
B Strong winds forced sand to weather and erode the rock formation.
C Frozen ice in small cracks of the rocks caused the quick erosion of the rock formation.
D Desert animals caused erosion of the rock formation.
B Strong winds forced sand to weather and erode the rock formation.
500
Which statement best explains why scientists study fossils?
A Fossils give few clues about the Earth’s ever changing landscape.
B Fossils give a large amount of information about the Earth’s ever changing landscape.
C Fossils do not provide any information about the Earth’s landscape.
D Fossils give scientists no information about what the Earth’s landscape looked like millions of year ago.
B Fossils give a large amount of information about the Earth’s ever changing landscape.
500
How do plants help prevent soil erosion?
A The roots of a plant anchor in the soil and keep the soil from being blown or washed away by wind or water.
B The leaves of a plant release water keeping the soil from being blown or washed away by wind or water
C The roots of a plant absorb water from the soil keeping it from being blown or washed away by wind or water.
D Plants do not prevent erosion.
A The roots of a plant anchor in the soil and keep the soil from being blown or washed away by wind or water.
500
Which statement best explains the difference in erosion patterns?
A Loose soil erodes faster because it absorbs more water.
B Firm soil erodes slower because water flows slower.
C Loose soil erodes faster because sediments floats on the water.
D Firm soil erodes slower because it is more difficult for water to break the particles apart.
D Firm soil erodes slower because it is more difficult for water to break the particles apart.