Download Spring 2007 Earth Science

VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING
Spring 2007 Released Test
END OF COURSE
EARTH SCIENCE
Form S0117, CORE 1
Property of the Virginia Department of Education
©2007 by the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Education, P.O. Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted by law, this material may not be reproduced or used in any form or by any means,
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written permission from the copyright owner. Commonwealth of Virginia public school educators may reproduce any
portion of these released tests for non-commercial educational purposes without requesting permission. All others should
direct their written requests to the Virginia Department of Education, Division of Student Assessment and School
Improvement, at the above address or by e-mail to [email protected].
ISD6736
Earth Science
Directions
Read each question carefully and choose the best answer. Then mark the space on your answer
document for the answer you have chosen.
SAMPLE
Which of these can be used to measure atmospheric pressure?
A
B
C
D
An anemometer
A barometer
A thermometer
A seismometer
3
1
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Sun
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Why does a comet’s tail point away from the Sun?
A
B
C
D
2
The solar wind blows the tail away from the Sun.
It is being pulled by a nearby black hole.
The Moon’s light only shines on part of the comet.
The comet’s tail is following the path of Jupiter.
Cloudy nights can be warmer than clear nights because clouds trap heat —
F
G
H
J
generated from tropical winds
produced by the friction of air particles
released from Earth’s interior
absorbed by Earth during daylight hours
4
3
In the gold rush of 1849, prospectors found a yellow mineral that appeared to
be gold, but was harder and more brittle than gold. What is this mineral that
came to be called “fool’s gold”?
A
B
C
D
4
Which provides the best evidence for the theory that faults and volcanoes are
results of tectonic plate interactions?
F
G
H
J
5
Calcite
Copper
Sulfur
Pyrite
Faults on tectonic plates are in constant motion, but volcanoes may not erupt for
many years.
Faults and volcanoes existed long before there were tectonic plates.
Tectonic plates that have many faults do not usually have volcanoes.
Faults and volcanoes are often found at tectonic plate boundaries.
Which of these is likely to occur after moist air is cooled below its dew point?
A
B
C
D
Water condenses.
Evaporation increases.
Ice crystals melt.
Winds are generated.
5
6
The breakdown of rocks and minerals into smaller particles without a change
in composition is called —
F
G
H
J
7
igneous intrusion
chemical precipitation
mechanical weathering
metamorphic foliation
Metamorphic rocks with a layered or banded look are called —
A
B
C
D
foliated
unfoliated
striated
evaporated
6
8
clear water
organic debris
silt
sand
gravel
In the jar shown, a sample of soil was mixed with water and then allowed to
settle for 24 hours. The jar serves as a model for what process?
F
G
H
J
9
Evaporation of water from a muddy pond
Formation of soil from parent material
Deposition of sediment in a lake bed
Erosion of rock particles by water
Which recent geologic processes commonly occur in the Coastal Plain region
of Virginia?
A
B
C
D
Crustal uplift and rock deformation
Rifting and intrusion
Erosion and deposition
Subduction and metamorphism
7
10
Dramatic variations in the polar ice caps most likely suggest changes in —
F
G
H
J
11
Rocky objects, measuring millimeters to kilometers in diameter, generally
orbit the Sun in a region located between —
A
B
C
D
12
the Moon’s orbit
Earth’s climate
ebb and flow of tides
global water consumption
Mercury and Venus
Earth and Mars
Mars and Jupiter
Neptune and Pluto
Which of these best describes forest soil?
F
G
H
J
More
More
More
More
rock fragments in the humus layer than in deeper layers
organic matter in the humus layer than in deeper layers
clay in the humus layer than in deeper layers
sand-sized particles in the humus layer than in deeper layers
8
13
All of the following may be found deep in a natural cave EXCEPT —
A
B
C
D
14
Identical rock types, identical fossils, and very similar mountain ranges are
found on different continents that are separated by a wide ocean. Which of
these best explains these observations?
F
G
H
J
15
groundwater
mineral deposits
photosynthetic organisms
stalagmites
Organisms traveled between these continents on land bridges.
The same forces erode mountains in different locations.
These continents were joined together at one time in the past.
Some rock types are very common and are found everywhere.
Which of these provides the best estimate of how long it took a thick layer of
sedimentary rock to form?
A
B
C
D
Using a microscope to closely examine the size of particles that make up the rock
layer
Making a model that creates a sedimentary rock layer at a constant rate
Calculating the age of the top and bottom of the layer
Measuring the rate at which similar layers of sediments collect
9
16
Which of these planets has the smallest diameter and the greatest average
density?
F
G
H
J
Neptune
Jupiter
Saturn
Mercury
17
Conditions at Time 1
Temperature
Pressure
Wind direction
Precipitation
30°C
996 mb
From the south
None
Conditions at Time 2
Temperature
Pressure
Wind direction
Precipitation
25°C
1010 mb
From the north
None
Based on the changes between the weather conditions, which of these most
likely passed by the weather station between time 1 and time 2?
A
B
C
D
Thunderstorm
Low pressure area
Cold front
Warm front
10
18
N
W
1
E
S
2
Ri
ve
r
3
4
The river shown on the topographic map flows fastest at point —
F
G
H
J
19
1
2
3
4
Which of these describes the area immediately below a water table?
A
B
C
D
Zone of aeration
Capillary zone
Recharge zone
Zone of saturation
11
20
Soil Profile
1
2
3
4
Which layer of the soil profile would be affected the most by weathering and
erosion?
F
G
H
J
21
1
2
3
4
The folding and faulting found in the rocks of the Blue Ridge Mountains of
Virginia were created by —
A
B
C
D
collisions of continental plates
wave action of prehistoric ocean
the Coriolis effect
heating and cooling of the prehistoric atmosphere
12
22
The streak test that is used to identify minerals involves studying the —
F
G
H
J
23
Seawater is typically denser than freshwater due to seawater’s —
A
B
C
D
24
mineral’s crystals with a microscope
heated mineral’s color as it cools
appearance of the mineral under fluorescent light
color of the powdered form of the mineral
higher salinity
lower freezing point
smaller mass
greater depth
Which of these best describes the composition of a nebula such as the Crab
Nebula?
F
G
H
J
Large asteroids
Clouds of dust and gas
Ice crystals
Planets and moons
13
25
Which of the following may preserve ancient remains of plants and animals?
A
B
C
D
Granitic intrusion
Volcanic ash
Foliated schist
Folded gneiss
26
Solar Panels
The major disadvantage of using solar panels to generate electricity is that
solar panels —
F
G
H
J
27
release toxic fumes into the air
cannot convert energy efficiently
are affected by cloud coverage and day length
produce energy that cannot be stored
Which of these describes the most common way that material is added to a
continental shelf?
A
B
C
D
Evaporation from continental watersheds
Deposition of continental sediments
Eruption of continental volcanoes
Subduction of continental plates
14
28
Limestone chips dissolve after they are placed in a beaker of dilute acid.
Which geologic process is this most similar to?
F
G
H
J
29
Which of the following processes will change a sedimentary rock into an
igneous rock?
A
B
C
D
30
Faulting
Folding
Weathering
Subduction
Melting and crystallization
Erosion and deposition
Deformation and deposition
Faulting and fracturing
Obsidian, pumice, and scoria lack crystals because —
F
G
H
J
not enough
they cooled
they cooled
they cooled
minerals were present where they formed
too quickly
deep inside Earth
too slowly
15
31
Table of Geologic Time
Era
Period
Years Before
the Present
Cenozoic
Quaternary
recent –
2 million
Tertiary
2 – 65
million
Cretaceous
65 – 136
million
Jurassic
136 – 190
million
Triassic
190 – 225
million
Permian
225 – 280
million
Carboniferous
280 – 345
million
Devonian
345 – 395
million
Silurian
395 – 430
million
Ordovician
430 – 500
million
Cambrian
500 – 570
million
Mesozoic
Paleozoic
570 million –
4.6 billion
Precambrian
Rocks found on land are up to 3.8 billion years old, but those in the ocean are
no more than 180 million years old. Using the information shown, during
which era could parts of the ocean floor have formed?
A
B
C
D
Triassic
Paleozoic
Precambrian
Mesozoic
16
32
Which of these are caused primarily by the gravitational force between Earth
and the Moon?
F
G
H
J
33
Tides
Seasons
Prevailing winds
Magnetic poles
Which would be the best tools to measure the density of a small piece of
silver ore?
A
B
C
D
A
A
A
A
barometer and a balance
density probe and a 500 mL beaker
metric ruler and a metal detector
graduated cylinder and a balance
17
34
Rock Layers
1
2
3
4
In this section of undisturbed sedimentary layers, which best describes
layer 2?
F
G
H
J
It
It
It
It
was
was
was
was
intruded into layer 1.
intruded into layer 3.
deposited after layer 1.
deposited after layer 3.
18
35
Igneous Rock
The rock shown is composed primarily of large crystals that were formed by —
A
B
C
D
cooling magma
compacting shells
weathering
faulting
19
36
Earth Axis
23.5°
Plane of Earth’s Orbit
23.5°
Axis of Rotation
Earth’s axis of rotation is tilted 23.5° relative to the plane of its orbit, which
helps to cause —
F
G
H
J
37
the seasons
day and night
the lunar phases
high and low tides
Some fuels are classified as nonrenewable because they —
A
B
C
D
produce toxic waste
can be easily recycled
come from deep within Earth
require a long period of time to form
20
38
Site 1
Site 2
W
Volcanic
Ash
Y
Sandstone
Limestone
X
These geologic cross sections show the location of three fossilized species
(W, X, and Y) found in rock layers at two nearby sites. Species X is probably
the oldest species because it is found —
F
G
H
J
39
below species W
in the lowest layer
above the ash layer
in sandstone
Most water leaves the ocean through evaporation and returns to the ocean
through —
A
B
C
D
surface runoff
ground water
transpiration
precipitation
21
40
Rivers, springs, and aquifers are all F
G
H
J
41
Students plan to use several rain gauges to compare average monthly rainfall
on Virginia’s Coastal Plain and Piedmont regions. Which of these variables
should be manipulated?
A
B
C
D
42
frozen in winter
human-made structures
located above ground
sources of fresh water
Height of the gauge
Brand of the gauge
Size of the gauge
Location of the gauge
Which natural resource found in Virginia is a common source of energy?
F
G
H
J
Bauxite
Limestone
Coal
Zinc
22
43
Weather Map
1016
1008
L
1024
N
W
1032
E
S
The label L indicates an area of low —
A
B
C
D
44
temperatures
pressure
altitude
rainfall
Which of these planets travels around the Sun in less time than it takes Earth
to complete one revolution?
F
G
H
J
Mars
Saturn
Mercury
Uranus
23
45
Which of these measurements allows scientists to compare the brightness
of stars?
A
B
C
D
Absolute magnitude
Critical density
Orbital velocity
Red shift
46
Earth
In addition to Earth’s orbit, which planets’ orbits are shown?
F
G
H
J
Mars and Jupiter
Jupiter and Saturn
Venus and Mars
Mercury and Venus
24
47
When granite is subjected to high enough amounts of heat and pressure to
change it but not melt it, granite changes into —
A
B
C
D
a metamorphic rock
a sedimentary rock
sediments
an igneous rock
48
Well
Well
Well
Sandstone
Water table
Aquifer
Shale
Limestone
The three wells shown provide water for a growing city. What is the most
likely effect on the system if six new wells are brought into production as the
population increases?
F
G
H
J
The
The
The
The
limestone layer will collapse.
shale layer will shrink.
aquifer will increase in volume.
water table will drop.
25
49
Testing a Mineral
Fingernail
Mineral
sample
Penny
Mineral
sample
Steel knife
Mineral
sample
The diagram shows a test for which mineral property?
A
B
C
D
Hardness
Cleavage
Luster
Streak
26
50
A student claims that the full Moon occurs about once a month. What process
will verify the student’s claim?
F
G
H
J
Hypothesizing
Theorizing
Predicting
Observing
27
Answer Key-EOC013-S0117
Test Sequence
Number
Correct Answer
1
A
2
J
3
D
4
J
5
A
6
H
7
A
8
H
9
C
10
G
11
C
12
G
13
C
14
H
15
C
16
J
17
C
18
F
19
D
20
F
21
A
22
J
23
A
24
G
25
B
26
H
27
B
28
H
29
A
30
G
31
D
32
F
33
D
34
J
35
A
36
F
37
D
38
G
39
D
40
J
41
D
42
H
43
B
44
H
45
A
46
H
47
A
48
J
49
A
50
J
Reporting
Category
004
003
002
001
003
002
002
001
002
003
004
002
002
001
001
004
003
001
003
002
002
002
003
004
002
002
003
002
002
002
001
004
001
002
002
004
002
002
003
003
001
002
001
004
004
004
002
003
002
001
Reporting Category Description
Astronomy and Space Science
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Geology
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Geology
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Astronomy and Space Science
Geology
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Scientific Investigation
Astronomy and Space Science
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Scientific Investigation
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Geology
Geology
Geology
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Astronomy and Space Science
Geology
Geology
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Geology
Geology
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Astronomy and Space Science
Scientific Investigation
Geology
Geology
Astronomy and Space Science
Geology
Geology
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Scientific Investigation
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Astronomy and Space Science
Astronomy and Space Science
Astronomy and Space Science
Geology
Meteorology, Oceanography, and Groundwater
Geology
Scientific Investigation
Earth Science, Core 1
If you get this
many items
correct:
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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9
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34
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36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
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49
50
Then your
converted scale
score is:
000
173
210
233
249
262
273
283
292
299
307
313
320
326
331
337
342
347
352
357
362
366
371
375
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384
389
393
398
402
407
412
417
421
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432
437
442
448
454
461
468
476
484
493
504
517
533
556
592
600