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Grade 6 Earth Space Pretest
Multiple Choice
Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
____
1. The diagram shows how a crack in a rock gets bigger.
What process is shown in step 2?
A.
B.
C.
D.
abrasion
precipitation
physical weathering
chemical weathering
____
2. There is a sandbar at a bend in the river near Olivia’s house. By which process was the sandbar created?
A. deposition
B. wave erosion
C. weathering
D. wind erosion
____
3. Kathleen identifies an example of physical weathering at the beach. Which of the following examples does
she observe?
A. oxidation of rocks near the shore
B. waves crashing into rocks on shore
C. decaying plants creating holes in rocks
D. salts from the sea eating away at rocks on the beach
____
4. Which is the main effect glaciers had on Florida?
A. They made the climate cooler.
B. They flattened the land by eroding it.
C. They filled lakes and aquifers with meltwater.
D. They affected ocean levels, causing waves to affect different areas of the coastline at
different times.
____
5. Ellie draws this diagram for her Science Fair project board.
Which landform does Ellie’s project feature?
A. coastlines
B. deltas
C. dunes
D. lakes
____
6. Adam explores the coastal plains of Florida during a trip to visit family. Which agent caused the formation of
the coastal plains?
A. glaciers
B. high sea levels
C. flooding from hurricanes
D. tectonic plate movement
____
7. Kumar is studying how Earth is warmed by sunlight. The following illustration shows his model of the sun
and Earth.
Which process is mostly responsible for warming the soil in Kumar’s model?
A.
B.
C.
D.
____
Conduction between the lamp and the soil causes the soil to warm.
Convection currents between the lamp and the soil cause the soil to warm.
Expansion of particles in the soil causes the soil to warm.
Radiation from the lamp reaches the soil and causes the soil to warm.
8. When sunlight reaches the ground, energy is absorbed and the ground becomes warmer. How is energy
transferred from the ground to the atmosphere?
A. convection only
B. convection and radiation
C. convection and conduction
D. radiation and conduction
____
9. There are three main ways in which heat can be transferred in the Earth system. How does heat transfer by
radiation differ from heat transfer by conduction or convection?
A. Radiation only transfers energy from the sun to the Earth system.
B. Radiation occurs only when temperature differences are very large.
C. Radiation relies on contact between objects that are in contact to transfer energy.
D. Radiation can transfer energy between objects that are not in contact with each other.
____ 10. The following graph shows the relationship between temperature and the amount of water vapor in the air.
What can you conclude from this graph?
A.
B.
C.
D.
Temperature has no effect on humidity.
The warmer the air is, the less water vapor it can hold.
As the temperature of the air increases, the amount of water vapor in the air decreases.
As the temperature of the air decreases, the amount of water vapor in the air decreases.
____ 11. As a thunderstorm approaches, the air near the storm sometimes becomes cooler very quickly. Which of the
following is one of the causes of this temperature drop?
A. Increasing humidity causes lower air temperature.
B. Cloud formation absorbs heat from the atmosphere.
C. Evaporation of rain from the storm absorbs heat energy.
D. Clouds block sunlight and cause soil and air to cool rapidly.
____ 12. The average annual precipitation in many places in Florida is greater than that of most other places in the
United States. Why does Florida have so much rain?
A. Nearby warm ocean waters cause high levels of water vapor in the air.
B. The average elevation of Florida is lower that of most of the country.
C. Florida is closer to the equator than most of the country so it get more rain.
D. Florida has more dense vegetation than most of the country so it gets more rain.
____ 13. Differences in air pressure drive the global wind systems on Earth. Which term describes polar winds that
blow from east to west?
A. easterlies
B. jet streams
C. trade winds
D. westerlies
____ 14. Tishawna used the Internet to look up the average high temperature for several cities during the months of
January and July. The data was collected over many years. All of the cities are located at about the same
latitude. She made the table below to report her information.
AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURES
City
January
June
Seattle, Washington
8°C (46°F)
24°C (75°F)
Glasgow, Montana
-7°C (20°F) 29°C (84°F)
Grand Forks, North Dakota
-9°C (15°F) 28°C (82°F)
International Falls, Minnesota -10°C (14°F) 26°C (78°F)
How can Tishawna explain the differences in the average January temperatures in Seattle compared to
temperatures in the other cities?
A. Pacific Ocean currents warm the air near Seattle in winter.
B. Seattle receives more solar energy in winter than the other cities.
C. Volcanoes along the west coast of North America affect the weather in Seattle.
D. The jet stream does not affect Seattle’s weather but it does affect the other cities.
____ 15. The jet stream is generally stronger in winter than in summer. What causes this seasonal difference?
A. Temperature differences in the atmosphere are greater in winter.
B. There is more water vapor in the air in the winter so the wind is stronger.
C. Snow reflects sunlight in winter which increases the energy in the atmosphere.
D. The air is colder in winter so there is less friction between the air and Earth’s surface.
____ 16. Ships encounter surface currents and waves as they travel across the ocean. Surface currents and waves form
when energy from the sun causes two of Earth’s spheres to interact. Which two spheres interact to produce
these waves and currents?
A.
B.
C.
D.
the geosphere and biosphere
the biosphere and hydrosphere
the cryosphere and atmosphere
the atmosphere and hydrosphere
____ 17. The illustration below shows lightning, which is an electrical discharge that occurs in the atmosphere.
How is this discharge an interaction between the atmosphere and the biosphere?
A. Lightning provides energy that plants need for photosynthesis.
B. It causes water to precipitate as rain and become available to organisms.
C. Lightning changes oxygen molecules into a form of oxygen that animals can breathe.
D. Lightning converts nitrogen and oxygen molecules into compounds that plants can use.
____ 18. Alicia and James are making a model of Earth’s spheres. In the key to their model, they labeled the ice near
the poles and in glaciers as the cryosphere. In what other classification could they have included these bodies
of ice?
A. atmosphere
B. biosphere
C. geosphere
D. hydrosphere
____ 19. Leah is going for a swim at the beach. She notices that the sand is much warmer than the water in the ocean.
Which statement best explains why this happens?
A. Water is unable to absorb energy.
B. Water is unable to release energy.
C. Water has a lower specific heat capacity than sand.
D. Water has a higher specific heat capacity than sand.
____ 20. Linnea is making a drawing the to show how currents of air move from tropical regions to the polar regions.
She wants include the source of the energy that causes these wind currents. What source of energy should
Linnea show in her drawing?
A. thermal energy from Earth’s mantle
B. electromagnetic energy from the Sun
C. kinetic energy from the rotation of Earth
D. gravitational energy from the sun and moon
____ 21. The illustration below shows the direction of winds in a deep valley during the day and also during the night.
Why does the wind blow in different directions at the two times?
A. Air is drawn upward during the day by the Sun’s strong gravitational pull.
B. Air warmed by the Sun rises during the day and denser cool air falls at night.
C. Sunlight pushes the air out of the valley during the day and it falls back at night.
D. The direction of air flow reverses due to the rotation of Earth between day and night.
____ 22. The area in which you live has a particular climate. It also has weather. What is the difference between
climate and weather?
A. Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas weather is determined
only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
B. Weather is determined by temperature and precipitation, whereas climate is determined
only by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions.
C. Climate is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas
weather is the characteristic climate in an area over a long period of time.
D. Weather is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place, whereas
climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time.
____ 23. Jorge looked out the window at the thermometer. He recorded the information shown below.
Which conclusion below can Jorge make based on information from his reading?
A. The current climate indicates that a puddle of water is likely to freeze.
B. The current weather indicates that a puddle of water is likely to freeze.
C. The current climate indicates that a puddle of water is not likely to freeze.
D. The current weather indicates that a puddle of water is not likely to freeze.
____ 24. In January, the temperature in the southern part of Florida dropped below freezing several nights in a row.
One fruit grower commented that climate was really bad for the orange crop this year. Why was his comment
incorrect?
A. Climate refers to precipitation instead of temperature so the climate did not change.
B. Cold weather can sometimes occur even in a warm climate such as southern Florida.
C. It would have to be cold for many nights in a row to indicate that the climate had changed.
D. The climate in Florida does not ever change so it is only the weather that can be bad for the
crop.
____ 25. During recent years, floods have caused billions of dollars in damages each year. Flooding is common in
Florida. Why is Florida so susceptible to floods?
A. Limestone exists at or near the ground surface in most areas of the state of Florida.
B. Much of Florida is located at or near sea level and can be easily covered by rising water.
C. In much of Florida, the ground beneath the top layers of soil is made of organic material that
can easily catch fire.
D. Florida is located near warm oceans and has flat topography that is vulnerable to the full
force of winds and storm surges.
____ 26. Much of damage caused by hurricanes comes from the storm surges that they cause. During a storm surge the
water can move far beyond the normal high tide.
Why do storm surges cause so much damage to coastal communities?
A. The water in a storm surge is seawater and the salt destroys structures.
B. The rising water strengthens hurricanes winds and increases wind damage.
C. The surge occurs suddenly so people do not have time to prepare for flooding.
D. Storm surges can reach buildings that are normally at safe above even the highest tides.
____ 27. Thunderstorms can occur in Florida during any time of the year. What is the best way to protect yourself from
harm if a thunderstorm occurs during a ball game when you are far from a building?
A. Stay inside a vehicle such as a car or bus.
B. Take shelter under the largest trees you can find.
C. Stay in the open field far from any trees or structures.
D. Run to the nearest place where there are buildings and get indoors.
____ 28. Florida has two tornado seasons. The most powerful tornadoes usually occur in the spring season from
February through April. Tornadoes can be very hazardous. These storms can uproot trees, destroy homes, and
cause massive property damage. Among the choices, where is the worst place to be during a tornado?
A. in a brick house
B. in a trailer home
C. in your basement
D. in a bomb shelter
____ 29. Damage to skin cells by exposure to solar radiation is one of the main causes of certain skin cancers. Which of
the following best describes when you should use skin protection to prevent damage to cells?
A. anytime that sunlight is not blocked by clouds
B. when you are outdoors in the summer months
C. anytime that you are outdoors with exposed skin
D. when you are out of the water while the sun is shining
____ 30. The illustration below shows a funnel extending down from a massive storm cloud.
What should you do if you are outside and see a cloud that looks like this?
A. Get to a car and drive away from the storm.
B. Run away from the cloud as quickly as you can.
C. Take shelter inside a house or other building immediately.
D. Stay where you are until you are sure which direction it is moving.
____ 31. The following diagram shows the four layers of the atmosphere.
Which layer is responsible for shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation?
A.
B.
C.
D.
layer 1
layer 2
layer 3
layer 4
____ 32. Astronauts working on the International Space Station need protection from ultraviolet radiation (UV) when
they are exposed to direct sunlight. Why do people working outdoors on Earth’s surface need much less
protection from UV radiation than astronauts in space?
A. UV radiation cannot pass through Earth’s magnetic field.
B. Most of the UV radiation is absorbed by ozone in the upper atmosphere.
C. UV radiation cannot pass through the nitrogen and oxygen of the atmosphere.
D. Clouds absorb or reflect most of the UV radiation before it can reach the ground.
____ 33. Earth’s atmosphere keeps most of Earth’s surface at temperatures suitable for living organisms. How does the
atmosphere stay warm enough for living things?
A. The atmosphere is heated by a constant flow of charged particles from the Sun.
B. Air molecules absorb radiation from the Sun and the surface and change it to heat.
C. The air is heated by friction with substances in space as Earth passes through space.
D. The atmosphere is warm because chemical reactions between molecules release heat.
Grade 6 Earth Space Pretest
Answer Section
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. ANS: C
• A is incorrect because ice is pushing the rock apart, not grinding it away.
• B is incorrect because the water and ice are not falling from the atmosphere.
• C is correct because the ice is widening the crack by pushing it apart, which is a physical process.
• D is incorrect because the ice is pushing the crack apart, which is a physical process.
STA: SC.6.E.6.1
2. ANS: A
A is correct because deposition occurs when sediment deposits build into sandbars.
B is incorrect because wave erosion moves sediment away from an area, creating the opposite effect of a
sandbar.
C is incorrect because weathering is the process by which rock breaks into soil, not builds into a sandbar.
D is incorrect because water, not wind, builds sandbars; and deposition, not erosion, builds sediment deposits
into sandbars.
STA: SC.6.E.6.1
3. ANS: B
A is incorrect because this is an example of chemical weathering, not physical weathering.
B is correct because this is an example of physical weathering.
C is incorrect because this is an example of chemical weathering, not physical weathering.
D is incorrect because this is an example of chemical weathering, not physical weathering.
STA: SC.6.E.6.1
4. ANS: D
• A is incorrect because the glaciers themselves were not close enough to Florida to affect its climate.
• B is incorrect because glaciers did not actually cover Florida, so they could not have eroded it.
• C is incorrect because there were no actual glaciers there to provide meltwater.
• D is correct because when glaciers form, more water is stored in the ice, and water levels lower; when they
melt, water levels rise, and the shoreline changes.
STA: SC.6.E.6.2
5. ANS: C
A is incorrect because although coastlines may have dunes, the diagram shows the formation of dunes.
B is incorrect because deltas are created by water, not wind.
C is correct because the diagram shows dune formation as a result of sand movement and deposition.
D is incorrect because lakes are the result of depressions in the Earth filling with water, not sand.
STA: SC.6.E.6.2
6. ANS: A
A is correct because glaciers formed the coastal plains.
B is incorrect because high sea levels did not contribute to the formation of the coastal plains.
C is incorrect because flooding did not contribute to the formation of the coastal plains.
D is incorrect because tectonic plate movement would have formed mountains, not coastal plains.
STA: SC.6.E.6.2
7. ANS: D
A is incorrect because conduction takes place when two objects that are in direct contact.
B is incorrect because although convection currents may be present, radiation is the main process by which
the soil is warmed.
C is incorrect because expansion takes place when the particles in an object take up more space.
D is correct because the heat lamp emits electromagnetic waves that warm the soil. The transfer of energy by
electromagnetic waves is radiation.
STA: SC.6.E.7.1
8. ANS: D
A is incorrect because convection only occurs in fluids, not between the ground and air.
B is incorrect because heat is transferred to air by radiation, but not by convection.
C is incorrect because heat is transferred to air by conduction, but not by convection.
D is correct because energy is transferred by infrared radiation and by contact between air and the ground.
STA: SC.6.E.7.1
9. ANS: D
A is incorrect because radiation occurs whenever a body is warmer than its environment.
B is incorrect because all three forms of heat transfer can occur regardless of the magnitude of the temperature
difference.
C is incorrect because conduction is the form of heat transfer that relies on direct contact between objects or
substances.
D is correct because radiation, and not convection or conduction, can transfer energy between objects that are
not in contact.
STA: SC.6.E.7.1
10. ANS: D
·A is incorrect because the air holds different amounts of water vapor at different temperatures.
·B is incorrect because the graph shows that warmer air holds more water vapor.
·C is incorrect because the graph shows that warmer air has a higher humidity, which means that it holds more
water vapor.
·D is correct because the graph shows that as the air gets cooler, the amount of water vapor that it can hold
decreases.
STA: SC.6.E.7.2
11. ANS: C
A is incorrect because a change in humidity does not affect temperature.
B is incorrect because cloud formation releases energy into the surrounding air.
C is correct because some of the falling water absorbs energy and evaporates.
D is incorrect because soil and air cool slowly when sunlight is blocked.
STA: SC.6.E.7.2
12. ANS: A
A is correct because there is warm water leads to more evaporation and higher levels of water vapor in the air.
B is incorrect because insulation low elevation is not necessarily related to high precipitation.
C is incorrect because high rainfall is a result of the moisture in the air, not proximity to the equator.
D is incorrect because dense vegetation is a result, not a cause, of high rainfall.
STA: SC.6.E.7.2
13. ANS: A
A is correct because easterlies are polar winds that blow from east to west.
B is incorrect because jet streams are winds that flow in the upper troposphere from west to east over vast
distances and at great speeds; they are not polar winds.
C is incorrect because trade winds are tropical winds, not polar winds, that blow from east to west.
D is incorrect because westerlies are mid-latitude winds, not polar winds, that blow from west to east.
STA: SC.6.E.7.3
14. ANS: A
A is correct because warm water in the ocean transfers energy to the air moving toward Seattle.
B is incorrect because all of the cities are at about the same latitude so they receive about the same amount of
solar energy.
C is incorrect because volcanoes can affect weather but they do not affect average temperatures over many
years.
D is incorrect because the jet stream affects weather patterns at all of the cities, including Seattle.
STA: SC.6.E.7.3
15. ANS: A
A is correct because the difference in the amount of solar energy received at different latitudes is greater in
winter which causes stronger movement of air.
B is incorrect because warm air tends to have more water vapor than cooler air.
C is incorrect because most of the heat in the atmosphere comes from energy absorbed by the surface not from
reflected solar radiation.
D is incorrect because the jet stream is far above the surface so there is no significant friction involved.
STA: SC.6.E.7.3
16. ANS: D
A is incorrect because the interaction of the geosphere (rocky Earth and its layers) and biosphere (living
things) do not cause waves and currents to form.
B is incorrect because the interaction of the biosphere (living things) and hydrosphere (liquid water) do not
cause waves and currents to form.
C is incorrect because the interaction of the cryosphere (frozen water) and atmosphere (gases surrounding
Earth) do not cause waves and currents to form.
D is correct because the sun’s energy in the atmosphere (gases surrounding Earth) creates wind, and the
interaction of wind and the hydrosphere (liquid water) produces waves and surface currents.
STA: SC.6.E.7.4
17. ANS: D
A is incorrect because energy for photosynthesis comes from sunlight.
B is incorrect because precipitation occurs when water condenses due to temperature and pressure changes.
C is incorrect because oxygen molecules are the form of oxygen that animals breathe.
D is correct because plants use nitrogen compounds that form during a lightning discharge.
STA: SC.6.E.7.4
18. ANS: D
A is incorrect because the atmosphere only includes the gases that form the outer layer of Earth.
B is incorrect because the biosphere consists of living organisms.
C is incorrect because geosphere includes the parts of Earth that are made up of rock, minerals, and metals.
D is correct because the ice of the cryosphere is part of Earth’s water.
STA: SC.6.E.7.4
19. ANS: D
A is incorrect because water warms up as it absorbs energy.
B is incorrect because water cools as it releases energy.
C is incorrect because lower specific heat capacity means that water should warm up faster than the sand.
D is correct because higher specific heat capacity means that water heats up more slowly than the sand.
STA: SC.6.E.7.5
20. ANS: B
A is incorrect because the amount of energy that reaches the surface from inside Earth is very small compared
to solar energy.
B is correct because solar radiation is the source of almost all of the energy that reaches Earth’s surface.
C is incorrect because Earth’s rotation can affect the direction of air currents but it does not cause them.
D is incorrect because tidal force affect the oceans but they have a very small effect on the atmosphere.
STA: SC.6.E.7.5
21. ANS: B
A is incorrect because the gravitational pull of the Sun on air is much too weak to make it move out of a
valley.
B is correct because solar energy heats the soil which heats the air and the less dense warm air rises.
C is incorrect because sunlight warms air but does not push it.
D is incorrect because Earth’s rotation does not have any effect on whether air rises or falls.
STA: SC.6.E.7.5
22. ANS: D
A is incorrect because climate is determined mostly by the overall patterns of temperature and precipitation,
as well as by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions; all of these influence the weather at a particular
time, a short-term observation.
B is incorrect because climate is determined mostly by the overall patterns of temperature and precipitation,
as well as by humidity, air pressure, and wind conditions; all of these influence the weather at a particular
time, a short-term observation.
C is incorrect because climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time, and weather
is the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.
D is correct because climate is the characteristic weather in an area over a long period of time, and weather is
the condition of Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place.
STA: SC.6.E.7.6
23. ANS: D
A is incorrect because the thermometer reading is above the freezing point of water and it is not possible to
make conclusions about climate from a single data point.
B is incorrect because the thermometer reading is above the freezing point of water.
C is incorrect because a single thermometer reading does not provide enough information to know the climate
of a place.
D is correct because the current temperature is too warm for water to freeze.
STA: SC.6.E.7.6
24. ANS: B
A is incorrect because climate includes temperature and precipitation over a long period.
B is correct because climate is the normal weather but abnormal weather can still occur.
C is incorrect because climate refers to conditions that occur over many years.
D is incorrect because climate can change although two nights is not enough to indicate a change.
STA: SC.6.E.7.6
25. ANS: B
• A is incorrect because the dissolution of limestone layers is the leading cause of sinkhole formation, and
Florida is composed mainly of limestone.
• B is correct because Florida’s elevation makes the state susceptible to flooding.
• C is incorrect because the organic material in Florida’s soil makes the state susceptible to muck fires, which
start when the organic material in the soil ignites during dry years.
• D is incorrect because Florida’s flat topography makes the state very susceptible to the winds and storm
surges caused by hurricanes.
STA: SC.6.E.7.7
26. ANS: D
A is incorrect because it is the water of the storm surge that causes damage, not salt.
B is incorrect because hurricane winds are not affected by the surge. Surge damage is caused by water.
C is incorrect because storm surges the danger is the depth of water, not the suddenness of the surge.
D is correct because storm surges can carry water very far inland.
STA: SC.6.E.7.7
27. ANS: A
A is correct because a vehicle provides protection from lightning.
B is incorrect because lighting is likely to strike large trees and harm anyone near them.
C is incorrect because lighting tends to strike the tallest object in a field.
D is incorrect because it is safer to get into a car than to run a long distance in a thunderstorm.
STA: SC.6.E.7.7
28. ANS: B
A is incorrect because a brick house is safer than a trailer home during a tornado.
B is correct because a trailer home would provide worse protection during a tornado than the other choices.
C is incorrect because a basement is a safe place to be during a tornado.
D is incorrect because a bomb shelter is a safe place to be during a tornado.
STA: SC.6.E.7.8
29. ANS: C
A is incorrect because clouds do not block the ultraviolet radiation that damages skin.
B is incorrect because sun damage can occur in any season.
C is correct because exposed skin can be damaged by exposure to sunlight in any season.
D is incorrect because being in the water does not affect the need for skin protection.
STA: SC.6.E.7.8
30. ANS: C
A is incorrect because a tornado can move faster than a car.
B is incorrect because it is not possible to outrun a tornado.
C is correct because a strong building can provide some protection.
D is incorrect because the direction of a tornado can change too quickly for you to be able to respond.
STA: SC.6.E.7.8
31. ANS: B
A is incorrect because the ozone layer, which is responsible for shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation, is
located in the stratosphere, not the troposphere (layer 1).
B is correct because the ozone layer, which is responsible for shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation, is
located in the stratosphere (layer 2).
C is incorrect because the ozone layer, which is responsible for shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation, is
located in the stratosphere, not the mesosphere (layer 3).
D is incorrect because the ozone layer, which is responsible for shielding Earth from ultraviolet radiation, is
located in the stratosphere, not the thermosphere (layer 4).
STA: SC.6.E.7.9
32. ANS: B
A is incorrect because the magnetic field does not affect electromagnetic radiation, including UV.
B is correct because ozone provides a protective layer that absorbs UV radiation in the atmosphere.
C is incorrect because nitrogen and oxygen do not absorb or reflect UV radiation.
D is incorrect because clouds reflect light but UV radiation passes through them.
STA: SC.6.E.7.9
33. ANS: B
A is incorrect because charged particles carry only a small part of the solar energy that reaches us.
B is correct because sunlight and infrared radiation from Earth’s surface are the main sources of heat in the
atmosphere.
C is incorrect because there are no substances in space to form friction with the atmosphere.
D is incorrect because only a small amount of energy comes from chemical reactions in the atmosphere.
STA: SC.6.E.7.9