Download Earth Systems - Salt Lake City School District

Earth Systems Pretest
1. In the early 1900’s, V.M. Slipher studied faint, cloud-like objects in the night sky. He noted that most of the objects
had red shifts. Later, astronomers determined that these objects were galaxies similar to the Milky Way. Edwin
Hubble and Milton Humason published what is now known as the Hubble law. This law describes the relationship
between red shift and the distance of the object being measured.
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between the work of Slipher, Hubble and
Humason?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Scientists usually work in direct competition with each other.
Scientists often build upon the evidence gathered by other scientists.
Scientists work individually and do not usually interact with each other.
Scientists each have jobs where they study completely different areas of science.
2. Red shift and blue shift measurements were recorded for a group of stars and a group of galaxies. How does the
data below support the ideas that the universe is changing?
Galaxy
1
2
3
4
a.
b.
c.
d.
% Red Shift
25%
5%
3%
15%
% Blue Shift
Star
A
B
C
D
% Red Shift
2%
0%
% Blue Shift
0%
2%
1%
The stars showing a blue shift suggest the universe is expanding.
The red shift in all the galaxies suggests the universe is expanding.
The blue shifted stars suggest the universe is not expanding.
The zero shift in star B suggests the universe is not expanding.
3. Which of the following statements is the best reason the Big Bang is an accepted scientific theory?
a. A scientist finally did an experiment that proves that galaxies are moving away from Earth.
b. Scientists cannot come up with any other good way to explain the formation of the universe.
c. Since the invention of the telescope, evidence continues to mount that galaxies are moving away from
Earth.
d. The invention of the telescope has helped us see millions of galaxies beyond our own.
4. Which of the following most accurately explains the origin of heavy elements on Earth?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Formed by nuclear reactions in massive, ancient stars
Formed by radioactive decay deep within Earth’s core
Formed by black holes scattered throughout the galaxy
Formed by comets and asteroids falling to Earth
5. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for this chart?
Shape of the Solar System




a.
b.
c.
d.
Disk shaped
Orbits in similar planes
Rotation and revolution of planets
in the same direction
Gravity and angular momentum
describe the force and the motion
in the system
Planet Types


Inner: Terrestrial, high
density
Outer: Mostly gaseous,
low density, ring systems
for most of them
Theories of Solar System Formation
Characteristics of the Solar System
Differences in Planet Types
Astronomical Theory of the Planets
6. “Scientists would expect most stars to have planets because they form with disks of gas and dust around them. This
process should be common for most stars.”
Which of the following best describes this statement?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It is a fact
It is evidence
It is an inference
It is a scientific law
7. What is it about Earth, as compared to other planets in our solar system, which makes life possible?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It is the only planet the correct distance from the sun.
It is the only planet with an atmosphere.
It is the only planet with a 24-hour day.
It is the only planet with liquid water.
8. Data from many spacecraft have revealed evidence that water was once present on Mars in the form of folds, runoff
channels and possible shorelines of ancient oceans. Images from the Hubble Space Telescope have indicated that
there are minerals present on Mars that form only in the presence of water.
Why is the information from this new technology important?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It offers proof that life once existed on Mars.
It provides further evidence that water once existed on Mars.
It helps scientists conclude that Mars is suitable for human colonization.
It is evidence that the current temperature on Mars is warm enough to turn ice into liquid water.
9. There is evidence that Jupiter’s moon Europa, may have liquid water beneath its icy surface. Since Europa appears
to have key ingredients for life (water, an energy source, and organic compounds) scientists have speculated about
the possibility of finding life in the liquid ocean. If scientists confirm that there was life on Europa, what will most
likely happen to our current understanding that Earth is the only planet in the solar system that supports life?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The understanding about life in our solar system would be modified to include the new evidence.
The understanding would not change because theories, laws and inferences are final truths.
The understanding may change depending on how the local communities voted on it in the next election.
We have known that there was life on other planets in our solar system for hundreds of years so nothing
would change.
10. A farmer checks some of the abiotic factors of her soil by performing tests and analyzing measurements for
temperature ranges, water availability and the amounts of certain nutrients before planting her crops. Why is it
important for the farmer to be able to use these tests?
a.
b.
c.
d.
She has to do these tests because they are required by law.
She shouldn’t use them because they should only be used by trained scientists.
She uses these tests to increase the price of the produce that she sells.
She uses these tests to increase the success of her crops.
11. Which of the following is an abiotic factor?
a.
b.
c.
d.
cat
tree
bacteria
weather
12. A student wanted to analyze the relationship between biotic and abiotic factors in a forest meadow. Which of the
following relationships would be appropriate subjects for this study?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Rabbit feeding habits and number of clover plants
Soil type and vegetation types
Rainfall and stream volume
Length of day and average daytime temperature
13. Consider the table below. What is the major ABIOTIC difference between Biomes 1 and 2?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Average temperature
Average rainfall
Types of plants
Soil type
BIOME 1
80-120 cm average
rainfall per year
Dominant vegetation:
leaf-dropping trees
Nutrient-rich soil
Many species
BIOME 2
25-75 cm average
rainfall per year
Dominant vegetation:
grasses and sedges
Nutrient-rich soil
Many species
14. Scientists developed radio collars that could be attached to wild animals to track their movements. How does this
technology help us maintain biodiversity and avoid extinction?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The size of territory the animal needs for survival can be documented.
The animals can be located and saved from hunters at any time.
The animals can be trained to stay out of some areas and go into others.
The radio collars help wild animal predators find their food.
15. Cutthroat trout are native to Yellowstone Lake. Lake trout were added to the lake several decades ago. Lake trout
eat the Cutthroat’s food and their young. Lake trout populations are increasing while Cutthroat trout are becoming
rare. Which of the following best explains why Cutthroat trout may become extinct?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Their natural habitat was destroyed.
Man-made chemicals polluted Yellowstone Lake.
Excessive fishing reduced their population.
A non-native species is taking over their habitat.
16. Alfred Wegener proposed that 200 million years ago, continents broke apart from the supercontinent Pangaea and
have drifted apart over time. This idea is known as continental drift. Which of the following is the best fossil
evidence for continental drift?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Fossils of the same land dwelling animals were found on widely separated continents.
Fossils of the same ocean dwelling organisms were found in different oceans.
Fossils of the same warm climate organisms were found on continents with warm climates.
Fossils of the same freshwater organisms were found on areas with abundant freshwater.
17. Which of the following discoveries caused science to re-evaluate its opinion of Alfred Wegener’s hypothesis about
continental drift?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sea floor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean
Valley and delta land forms on Mars
The coastlines of Africa and South America have similar fossils
The global rate of volcanic activity has change over time
18. Wegener’s theory of continental drift was not accepted until the mid-1900’s. Which of the following technological
advances led to the acceptance of this theory and laid the groundwork for plate tectonics?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sonar and magnetometers mapped the ocean floor and detected magnetic striping.
Satellites created communication networks for scientists on other continents.
Computer systems were used to simulate tectonic patterns on other planets.
Anemometers were developed to accurately measure volcanic activity.
19. A dormant volcano in Indonesia erupted and ejected an incredible amount of gas and dust into the atmosphere in
the early 1800’s. Over time scientists built up enough evidence to conclude that the gas and dust caused weather
extremes, crop failure and major climatic change worldwide for over a year following the eruption. The link
between these changes and the volcano’s eruption were not understood for years. What is this an example of?
a. Values like logical thinking are important in science and understanding the causes of volcanic eruptions can
explain why crops fail.
b. Scientific theories may change and all volcanoes are destructive and have negative effects worldwide.
c. The causes of volcanic eruptions describe why climates will change around the volcano.
d. Over time science knowledge accumulates; eventually scientists can determine the effects of plate
movement on other Earth systems.
20. What date would a scientist need to support the inference that a massive earthquake will destroy most structures
along the Wasatch Front and cause changes to animal and plant diversity?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A historical pattern of strong earthquakes along plate boundaries.
Evidence that strong earthquakes occur along major fault zones.
Historical patterns of large fires after major earthquakes.
The fact that squirrels on either side of the Grand Canyon are now different species.
21. Which of the following lists energy sources that cause materials to move within Earth?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Sunlight and kinetic energy
Geothermal energy and radioactive decay
Energy stored in chemical bonds and heat energy
Nuclear energy and light energy
22. Use this diagram of a cross section of land to answer the following question. Insecticides sprayed on a field near
point “C” are found in the well water. How did they most likely get there?
a.
b.
c.
d.
They were carried by water flowing through the soil.
They evaporated into the air and were drawn in as the well pumped.
The well was open when they were sprayed.
They were carried into the well by fish from the river.
23. Utah is mostly a desert. In much of the state there is not enough water from rain and snow to sustain any major
farming. Yet dairy, livestock, hay and grain production is a major source of income for the state. How have the
people of Utah tried to solve the problem of not enough water for framing?
a.
b.
c.
d.
People use technology to change the climate so there is more water.
People save almost all of the water that comes from rain and snow for farming.
Farmers only grow plants and animals in the years when there is enough rainfall.
People move water around the state through reservoirs, aqueducts and pipelines.
24. Use the information below to answer the question.
(1) The Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park, Montana has been retreating rapidly. (2) Photographs taken of the
glacier document it has reduced in size since 1850. (3) Mountain glaciers are excellent monitors of climate change.
(4) The world wide shrinkage of mountain glaciers is thought to be caused by a combination of climate cycles and
increased greenhouse gasses. Which sentence has data to support the argument that the glacier is shrinking?
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. 4
25. While walking along an ocean beach, you and a friend find live barnacles and mussels attached to rocks and the
shells of hermit crabs. You infer that these organisms can live under water much of their lives. What data would
support this inference?
a.
b.
c.
d.
A tide chart showing that at high tide the beach is underwater.
The barnacles are anchored to some rocks along the beach.
Barnacles, mussels and hermit crabs all have shells.
These three organisms cannot live in fresh water.
26. Use this map of ocean currents to answer the following questions:
How would current “B” affect the land it runs near?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Increase temperatures
Decrease temperatures
Would not affect temperatures
Decrease humidity
27. Global warming conditions are causing ice caps and glaciers to melt. (1) The fresh water from the melting ice dilutes
the surrounding salt water. (2) Cold, salty water in North Atlantic Ocean normally sinks to the bottom of the ocean
and slowly creeps along until it reaches an area of upwelling. Scientists believe that (3) this process circulates
nutrients and heat throughout the world’s oceans, and (4) ultimately impact food sources for animals living in the
ocean.
Which numbered statement from the information provided represents direct EVIDENCE that causes scientists to
believe that the ocean environment is changing?
a.
b.
c.
d.
1
2
3
4
28. According to the graph below, which of the following statements best describes the concentration of carbon dioxide
in the atmosphere?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It has increased since the Industrial Revolution
It has decreased since the Industrial Revolution
It has remained the same since the Industrial Revolution
There is no carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
29. Which of the following is an example of an ethical question raised by science that science alone CANNOT answer?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Should the government require people to buy cars that release less carbon dioxide?
Can companies make cars that release less carbon dioxide?
Are the levels of carbon dioxide increasing in the upper atmosphere?
How does carbon dioxide trap the sun’s ultraviolet rays?
30. How does carbon enter living organisms in the carbon cycle?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Decomposers release carbon dioxide
Photosynthesis by plants
Humans burn coal
Respiration by animals
31. Some students wanted to design an experiment that tested the gasses that cause acid rain. They obtained an
indicator solution (the stronger the acid, the redder the solution will become). They then filled four balloons with
gasses collected from a bike pump, a propane bottle, a car and a diesel truck. They bubbled the gasses in the
balloons through the solutions with a straw, exposing the indicator to the gas in the balloons. Then they compared
the color of the solutions. The data from the experiment is summarized below.
SOURCE OF
GAS
Bike pump
Propane
Car exhaust
Diesel truck
exhaust
COLOR
CHANGE
No color
change
No color
change
Dark red
Light red
Which conclusion is best supported by the data gathered in the experiment?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Car exhaust does not cause much acid rain.
Diesel trucks do not cause much acid rain.
There is no acid in the air.
Exhaust from cars and trucks cause acid rain.
32. What harmful effect is associated with the “ozone hole”?
a.
b.
c.
d.
skin cancer
heart attacks
blindness
loss of hair
33. Use the information below to answer the question.
(1) In the early 1970’s, scientists first proposed that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) could destroy the ozone layer.
(2) Since then, scientists have confirmed that CFCs destroy ozone molecules by breaking up ozone chemical bonds.
(3) In the mid-1980’s, studies identified global thinning of the ozone layer. (4) The ozone layer filters and absorbs
harmful ultraviolet radiation that influences crop production and causes eye and skin damage.
Which sentence has relevant data to support the argument that CFCs contribute to the thinning of the ozone?
a.
b.
c.
d.
1
2
3
4
34. A student designed an experiment to measure how color affects the absorption of solar energy. She covered one
Styrofoam cup with a black nylon sock and another Styrofoam cup with a white cotton sock. She left a third cup
uncovered. She filled all three cups with a ml of room temperature water and set them in the sun. After 60
minutes, she measured the temperature of each of the cups.
Which of the following statements accurately describes the student’s experiment design?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The design is valid because the student measured the absorption of solar energy.
The design is valid because the student used two variables.
The design is flawed because the student used different types of materials as well as different colors.
The design is flowed because 60 minutes is too short to measure absorption of solar energy.
35. You are asked to create a poster that teaches how light energy is converted and stored as chemical energy. You
search and find information for your topic on the following websites:
 Chemical of the week
 The Biology Project
 School of Physics, Department of Physical Optics
 Earth Science Energy Education curriculum Project
Which of the following best explains why information on your topic is found on websites of chemistry, physics and
earth science?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Most research sources are owned by the same science companies
Light energy is related to concepts in many different areas of science.
All science websites are required to have information on most science topics.
Each website must be created by scientists who work in chemistry, biology, physics and earth science.
36. How does energy flow through an ecosystem?
a.
b.
c.
d.
The sun’s energy is captured by plants, used by animals, and eventually returns to space as heat.
Energy from the sun is recycled over and over again in the ecosystem.
Energy from the sun is captured by animals to make sugars and fats.
The sun’s energy is captured by oxygen molecules, which cause photosynthesis.
37. You call a psychic hotline and are told that if you wash your car it will rain. You test the prediction by washing your
car in the morning. It rains in the afternoon. Was the psychic’s prediction scientifically accurate?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Yes, washing cars will cause it to rain because it rains every time.
Yes, you tested the psychic’s prediction and proved it was correct.
No, the psychic did not use replicable, experimental evidence to make predictions.
No, only people who have been trained as scientists can be scientifically accurate.
38. In Utah, why do we experience winter in the months of November through March?
a.
b.
c.
d.
In these months, the sun is farther form Earth than at other times of the year.
In these months, the sun is closer to Earth than at other times of the year.
Warm air form the pacific moves in from the west during November through March.
The angle of the sun’s rays is more indirect than at other times of the year.
39. How has technology changed scientists’ ability to predict the weather?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Satellites produce images that allow scientists to track weather systems.
Telescopes help scientists track the weather by star movements.
Doppler radar enables scientists to communicate with each other.
The television makes it possible to broadcast weather predictions to the public.