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- 1. Multiple Choice
How does the above map best support the theory of plate tectonics? (8.ESS2.5)
Points B and C are located on continents that are roughly the same size.
Points B and C appear to have once been next to each other but to have since drifted apart.
Point A is located on a continent that is substantially larger than the continent on which Point D is located.
Points A, B, C, and D have not changed their positions on the globe at any time during Earth's history.
- 2. Multiple Choice
The heat process caused by the uneven distribution of thermal energy in Earth's interior is called _____________. (8.ESS2.4)
ridge push
seafloor spreading
slab pull
mantle convection
- 3. Multiple Choice
Which of the following discoveries would provide the best evidence that Earth's continents had once been part of a large landmass that has since broken apart? (8.ESS2.5)
fossils of different species of organisms found at points A ad D
fossils of organisms that lived during the same time period found at points A and D
fossils of the same species of organism found at points B and C
fossils of organisms that lived hundreds of millions of years apart found at points B and C
- 4. Multiple Choice
According to the theory of plate tectonics, which conclusion about the following diagram is most likely correct? (8.ESS2.4)
Band A is older than band B, which is older than band C, which is older than band D.
Band A is younger than band B, which is younger than band C, which is younger than band D.
Bands A and D are older than bands B and C
Bands B and C are older than bands A and D
- 5. Multiple Choice
A student concludes that Earth's lithosphere is gradually shrinking as crust is destroyed at subduction zones. What is wrong with this conclusion? (8.ESS2.5)
Earth's lithosphere is not shrinking because new crust is being created at mid-ocean ridges.
Earth's lithosphere is actually growing because much more crust is being created at subduction zones than destroyed.
Earth's lithosphere is not shrinking because crust is not actually destroyed at subduction zones; it simply sinks into the mantle before resurfacing elsewhere.
The student is correct; Earth's lithosphere is shrinking.
- 6. Multiple Choice
The following diagram shows bands of oceanic crust at a mid-ocean ridge. Which of the following conclusions is justified? (8.ESS2.5)
Bands A, B, C, and D all have the same magnetic polarity.
Bands A, B, C, and D each has a different magnetic polarity.
Bands A and B have the same magnetic polarity, and bands C and D have the same magnetic polarity. In addition, the same polarity of bands A and B is different from the polarity of bands C and D.
Bands A and D have the same magnetic polarity, and bands B and C have the same magnetic polarity. In addition, the polarity of bands A and D is different from the polarity of bands B and C.
- 7. Multiple Choice
Earth's crust is being actively recycled. Where is new oceanic crust created? (8.ESS2.5)
at convergent boundaries
at mid-ocean ridges
at subduction zones
at transform boundaries
- 8. Multiple Choice
Which of the following observations best supports the theory of plate tectonics? (8.ESS2.5)
Fossils of many different kinds of organisms have been found at the same location.
Fossils of the same species of organism have been found on opposite sides of the same ocean.
Fossils are more likely to form when organisms die and are buried in layers of sediment at the bottoms of large water bodies.
Fossils are more likely to form when organisms die in the open, where they are exposed to agents of weathering and erosion.
- 9. Multiple Choice
A student argues that the theory of plate tectonics is false because we do not feel tectonic plates moving beneath our feet. What is wrong with this argument? (8.ESS2.4)
On average, plates move only a few centimeters per year.
Because the plates are all moving at the same speed relative to each other, we do not feel the motion of any single plate.
Tectonic plates are located in Earth's asthenosphere, too far beneath the planet's surface for us to feel them moving.
The student is correc; plate tectonics is no longer considered a valid theory.
- 10. Multiple Choice
What happens at a mid-ocean ridge when magma wells up in the rift valley and cools into new lithosphere? (8.ESS2.5)
The oceanic plates on either side of the valley are pushed apart.
The oceanic plates on either side of the valley come together as they melt.
The new lithosphere binds together the oceanic plates on either side of the valley.
The new lithosphere pushes up an oceanic plate on one side of the valley until it slides into the other plate.
- 11. Multiple Choice
Antelope Canyon in Arizona is surrounded by sandstone, a sedimentary rock. Which of these processes most likely carved the canyon from the surrounding rock? (8.ESS2.3)
melting
weathering
subduction
pressure increase
- 12. Multiple Choice
Which of these factors most affects the crystallization of igneous rock? (8.ESS2.3)
the rate of cooling
the amount of pressure
the speed of the wind
the color of the rock
- 13. Multiple Choice
A sedimentary rock along a plate boundary is forced below another plate during subduction. What will most likely happen to the rock immediately following subduction? (8.ESS2.3)
Cooling will change the sedimentary rock into igneous rock.
Cementation will change the sedimentary rock into igneous rock.
Increased heat and pressure will change the sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock.
Erosion and deposition will change the sedimentary rock into new sedimentary rock.
- 14. Multiple Choice
A rock formed on Earth's surface. Which of these conclusions can be drawn about the rock? (8.ESS2.3)
It must be an igneous rock.
It cannot be an igneous rock.
It must be a metamorphic rock.
It cannot be a metamorphic rock.
- 15. Multiple Choice
Which of these best describes how metamorphic rock forms? (8.ESS2.3)
Melted rock cools at or beneath Earth's surface.
Minerals that are dissolved in water crystalize.
Pressure causes sediment to stick together.
Heat and pressure change rocks buried beneath Earth's surface.
- 16. Multiple Choice
What is one way that sedimentary rock can change through the rock cycle? (8.ESS2.3)
It can undergo uplift to form metamorphic rock.
It can be exposed to wind and flowing water to form igneous rock.
It can cool at Earth's surface to form metamorphic rock.
It can experience weathering and lithification to form new sedimentary rock.
- 17. Multiple Choice
Which of the following processes is most necessary to form sedimentary rocks? (8.ESS2.3) (Choose 3)
cooling
cementation
deposition
metamorphism
compaction
- 18. Multiple Choice
Shale is a rock formed when silt is compacted together. When shale is buried and experiences heat and pressure, it becomes slate. What type of change occurs in this process?
(8.ESS2.3)
Sedimentary rock becomes metamorphic rock.
Metamorphic rock becomes sedimentary rock.
Metamorphic rock becomes new metamorphic rock.
Sedimentary rock becomes new sedimentary rock.
- 19. Multiple Choice
Granite is a rock formed from the cooling of magma. When granite is exposed to elements such as wind and water, it weathers and erodes and the particles are deposited. Pressure causes these and other particles to form sandstone at Earth's surface. What type of change occurs in this process? (8.ESS2.3)
Sedimentary rock becomes igneous rock.
Igneous rock becomes sedimentary rock.
Sedimentary rock becomes new sedimentary rock.
Igneous rock becomes new igneous rock.
- 20. Multiple Choice
Rift valleys form at which kind of boundary? (8.ESS2.5)
convergent
divergent
transform
none of the above
- 21. Multiple Choice
What type of plate boundary is associated with a group of volcanic islands along an arc? (8.ESS2.5)
ocean-ocean divergent boundary
continent-continent divergent boundary
ocean-ocean convergent boundary
continent-continent convergent boundary
- 22. Multiple Choice
A geologist is studying rock units at a divergent boundary. The rocks may have formed as - (8.ESS2.5) (Choose 2)
two plates of oceanic crust moved apart.
two plates of continental crust moved together.
two plates of continental crust moved apart.
two plates of oceanic crust slide past each other
- 23. Multiple Choice
This diagram illustrates which of the following processes? (8.ESS2.4)
the divergence of oceanic crust
the subducting of oceanic crust
the formation of fault-block mountains
the formation of a rift valley
- 24. Multiple Choice
A geologist is studying Earth's lithosphere along a transform boundary. Which of the following may the geologist conclude? (8.ESS2.4)
Lithosphere was destroyed by plate motion along this boundary.
New lithosphere was created by plate motion along this boundary.
A volcano is now present from the subduction of oceanic crust.
A fault line was created from the friction of the plates sliding past one another.
- 25. Multiple Choice
What is a byproduct of subduction? (8.ESS2.4)
the creation of mid-ocean ridges
the creation of fault-block mountains
the recycling of oceanic crust
the melting of continental crust
- 26. Multiple Choice
This diagram illustrates which of the following processes? (8.ESS2.5)
the divergence of tectonic plates, forming a mid-ocean ridge.
the convergence of tectonic plates, forming an underwater mountain range
the divergence of tectonic plates, forming a subduction zone
the grinding of plates sliding past each other, forming fault-block mountains
- 27. Multiple Choice
The Himalayan Mountains are being formed as - (8.ESS2.5)
two tectonic plates move apart
two tectonic plates are colliding
two tectonic plates are sliding horizontally past each other
a continental plate is subducting beneath an oceanic plate
- 28. Multiple Choice
This diagram illustrates which of the following processes? (8.ESS2.5)
the divergence of tectonic plates, forming a rift zone
the convergence of tectonic plates, forming a mountain range
the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another, forming a trench
the grinding of plates sliding past each other, forming a fault
- 29. Multiple Choice
Deep sea trenches occur at which type of boundary? (8.ESS2.5)
convergent
divergent
transform
spreading
- 30. Multiple Choice
What is a mass extinction? (8.ESS2.1)
When all the species in a particular area on earth suddenly go extinct
When multiple species from all over the earth suddenly go extinct
When one species goes extinct due to habitat changes
When all life on earth is wiped out
- 31. Multiple Choice
What classifies a mass extinction? (8.ESS2.1)(Choose 2)
Only 5% of species go extinct.
Massive flooding due to hurricanes.
Happens in a relatively short period of time.
There have never been any mass extinctions on Earth.
Widespread or global effects.
- 32. Multiple Choice
Which of the following could lead to the gradual extinction of a species? (8.ESS2.1)(Choose 2)
Meteor Strike
Rising Sea Levels
Massive Volcanic Eruption
Glaciation
- 33. Multiple Choice
An example of a catastrophic event that could lead to mass extinction. (8.ESS2.1)
Large Meteor Strike
Rising Sea Levels
Global Warming
Falling Sea Levels
- 34. Multiple Choice
Scientist believe that the extinction of the dinosaurs was caused in part by a large meteor strike. What is the most likely sequence of events following the meteor strike? (8.ESS2.1)
Global Warming, Rising Sea Levels, Dinosaurs Drown
Sun cannot penetrate the atmosphere, photosynthesis stops, dinosaurs starve
Hurricanes, flooding, dinosaurs go extinct
Earthquakes, ice age, dinosaurs freeze.
- 35. Multiple Choice
Which two events could lead to mass extinction? (8.ESS2.1)
An ice age
Hurricane
Massive volcanic eruption
Tsunami
- 36. Multiple Choice
What theory proposes that evolution occurs steadily in tiny changes over long periods of time? (8.ESS2.1)
gradualism
relative dating
natural selection
punctuated equilibria
- 37. Multiple Choice
What is the idea that geologic processes are occurring now are the same as those that occurred in the past? (8.ESS2.1)
unconformities
uniformitarianism
epicism
catastrophism
- 38. Multiple Choice
What is the idea that geologic change occurs suddenly? (8.ESS2.1)
uniformitarianism
geologic breakdown
catastrophism
geologic column
- 39. Multiple Choice
Which layer of Earth is characterized by rock that is plastic, or soft enough to flow? (8.ESS2.2)
asthenosphere
crust
lithosphere
inner core
- 40. Multiple Choice
Temperature _____________________ as you go deeper into the earth. (8.ESS2.2)
increases
decreases
goes up and down depending on the layer
stays the same
- 41. Multiple Choice
This is the outermost, rigid layer of the Earth, made up of two parts, is divided into pieces call tectonic plates. (8.ESS2.2)
Inner Core
Asthensophere
Lithosphere
Outer Core
- 42. Multiple Choice
Where does Earth’s magnetic field get its energy from? (8.ESS2.5)
The motion of the Earth's plates colliding with each other.
The motion of the Earth's liquid core, which generates electric currents.
The motion of the Earth's mantle which has convection currents.
The motion of the Earth's rotation around the sun.
- 43. Multiple Choice
Which layer has convection currents where the hot, less dense magma rises and the cooler, dense magma sinks? (8.ESS2.4)
inner core
outer core
mantle
crust
- 44. Multiple Choice
Which layer of the Earth is the most dense? (8.ESS2.2)
crust
mantle
inner core
outer core
- 45. Multiple Choice
Which layer contains the ground we walk on? (8.ESS2.2)
atmosphere
lithosphere
hydrosphere
mesosphere
- 46. Multiple Choice
Tectonic processes contribute to the formation and uneven distribution of fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum, and natural gas. Knowing how fossil fuels form, we can determine the climatic conditions that were present in an area millions of years ago. 400 million years ago, which region had the most favorable climatic and tectonic conditions for forming oil, and which region has the least favorable conditions for petroleum formation. (8.ESS3.1) (Choose 2)
North America had the most favorable conditions.
Middle East had the most favorable conditions.
Asia Pacific had the least favorable conditions.
Africa had the least favorable
- 47. Multiple Choice
A body of porous & permeable rock that contains groundwater & can transmit water to springs (8.ESS3.1)
sponge
super soaker
aquifer
watershed
- 48. Multiple Choice
Which of the following must be true for a substance to be considered a mineral? (8.ESS3.1) (Choose 2)
It must be organic
It must be solid
It must be a gem
It must be naturally occurring
- 49. Multiple Choice
How do minerals form? (8.ESS3.1) (Choose 2)
from magma
from oceans
from mountain formations
from solutions
from human activity
- 50. Multiple Choice
Which statement about P-waves and S-waves is NOT correct? (ESS2.2)
P-waves travel faster than S-waves
P-waves can travel through all substances; S-waves cannot travel through liquid
S-waves are the first to be detected by seismographs
P-waves travel with side-to-side (parallel) vibrations; S-waves travel with up-and-down (perpendicular) vibrations
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